Album Review: Oceans – Hell Is Where the Heart Is (Nuclear Blast)

On November 25th, 2022, German nu-metal, progressive, post and death metal band, Oceans will release the third and final part in their series of Hell Is Where the Heart Is EPs. Alongside the EP release, Nuclear Blast Records will also release all three EPs as a single album in physical format on the same date.

Putting mental health on top of their agenda, the three EP journey that has been Hell Is Where the Heart Is has been a fascinating and taxing one. One that has connected to listeners in ways they have never experienced. That there, is the main reason this trio of releases can be called a success.

Now, Oceans not only release the final part but offer up the complete series in an album package. There are simply no excuses now, it couldn’t be easier to experience what Oceans have to offer.

The withered and lonely heart longs for warmth and comfort. The harder the concrete, the mightier the flower that breaks through it. The more the heart has been broken, the stronger its love flourishes. Alas, the stronger the love, the harder the pain that unavoidably comes with it. Only a dead heart feels no pain, but is also devoid of love. The older the heart, the more scarred it becomes. The scars bear witness to the bond of life and love. They show that the heart has not given up beating.

This is the opening speech delivered on the intro of Love, spine-chilling stuff and the perfect way to get your head in the state of mind needed to enjoy The Awakening. Especially as it draws from the melodic metal genre, while blending in nu-metal tones. It’s a head-banging start that reaches desperate and epic stages as it reaches its conclusion.

Faster and more intense, with a ton of atmosphere, Sulfur has Oceans hitting delectable levels of heavy and wild death metal sounds. At least until sound of suffering and a melodic interlude shifts the tone significantly. Such is the fascinating way in which Oceans deliver their style of metal. The meaningfulness of what comes from them simply can’t be understated.

Case in point, a series of songs that have so much honesty, dark and uncomfortable honesty, but honesty none the less. The powerful Skin that has these insane flair-ups of ferocity, the speech that introduces what was the second EP on the track Longing, the anthemic Home and the intense I Want to Be Whole Again. The latter, one of the prettiest tracks Oceans has produced across all three EPs. The depth of emotion they plumb is simply staggering here. Before Living=Dying has Oceans dig into their nu-metal chest of wonders for something extremely crunchy.

Of course, if you’re already aware of this band, you’ll be familiar with everything that has come so far. What you’re here for is the new tracks. The third part of the EP trilogy and the final portion of the album.

Once again, it’s a dark and atmospheric speech called Clarity (Interlude) that has a much more defiant stance. Followed then by a moving piece of melody and a chorus that simply soars on If There’s a God, She Has Abandoned Us. Before I Sing Alone sees Oceans offer up moments of boisterous instrumental chaos dripping in atmosphere.

The full album and the final EP coming to a close with the title track. One last deep, emotional, and relatable effort that has blistering heaviness, but portrayed in a monumentally passionate way. Melodic death metal doesn’t sound this desperate often.

The three EPs come together wonderfully to deliver an album that will make you think and feel in unexpected ways. Oceans might just be one of the most relatable bands in modern times, thanks to their focus on mental health and how that cuts through in their music.

Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter