OCEANS OF SLUMBER defy any and all convention. For the past 15 years, the Houston band have come to redefine what it means to be Southern Gothic by mixing melodic death, doom and black metal with subtle electronic flourishes and the overpowering heat of their hometown. Now, after signing with Season of Mist, they're extending their progressive streak even further by envisioning a dark and cinematic new sub genre that's theirs and theirs alone.
Ahead of their upcoming tour with Lacuna Coil and New Years Day, today, Oceans of Slumber are releasing the first single off their upcoming fifth album.
Watch the captivating video for Where Gods Fear to Speak:
It's damn near impossible to constrict Oceans of Slumber to one genre. "Where Gods Fear to Speak" opens with more of the sultry doom metal headbanging that long-time fans have come to expect, but the band's new single breaks entirely new ground. Punishing blast beats and a blackened torrent of melodic tremolo picking collide with Cammie Beverly's powerhouse cleans, a skyrocketing guitar solo and synths that swirl like the aura of a mystical planet. So what do we call this otherworldly occurrence?
"Dark cinematic metal", says drummer Dobber Beverly. In addition to drumming for grindcore legends Insect Warfare and American black metal trailblazers Necrofier, Dobber is a classically trained pianist who composed Oceans of Slumber's new album. "We've taken the raw and heavier direction of our last two albums and elevated it to the scale of a blockbuster IMAX movie".
The album's concept blurs the ideological lines between Dune, Blade Runner and The Dark Tower, though its first single loops back to real life events. All five members of Oceans of Slumber are from Texas, where organized religion can be as suffocating as the dust or heat. Growing up, Cammie was caught in an especially hard bind. Her childhood home was divided over her father's dedication to the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research and her mother becoming a Jehova's Witness. "Regardless of which one you believe, organized religion makes us suffer in order to please this heavenly deity", Cammie says. "But the payoff is only an illusion".
That tension - between the promise of divine pleasure and the pains of the flesh - raises "Where Gods Fear to Speak" to truly Biblical proportions. The chant that creeps in past the four minute mark could pass for the curse of an evil sorcerer. Your grace is sufficient / Made perfect in my weakness. But those lyrics are a direct quote from the Book of 2 Corinthians.
The video for "Where Gods Fear to Speak" ties in nicely with these themes. Taken captive by some unholy masked trinity, Cammie is strung up by ropes fashioned in the style of Shibari, an ancient Japanese torture method that's evolved into a form of BDSM. Of course, nothing is strong enough to hold down Cammie's voice. Her belt covers such a wide range, steeped in the blues as much the gospel, that it really could move mountains. Only now, she's flexing a guttural new muscle.
"I've always wanted to do death growls", Cammie says. "'Where Gods Fear to Speak' presented the perfect opportunity. Mixing harsh vocals in with my cleans speaks to that tug of war between pleasure and pain, though there's a freedom that comes with pushing my voice past its perceived breaking point".
On "Where Gods Fear to Speak", Oceans of Slumber ascend to unimagined heights.
The video for "Where Gods Fear to Speak" was directed by Josh Vargas.
Now that their new album is well on its way, Oceans of Slumber are hitting the road next month. The band are bringing their smoldering live show from Wilmington, Delaware to Columbus, Ohio alongside Lacuna Coil and New Years Day.
"Touring with Lacuna Coil is like a dream for us in Oceans of Slumber", says Cammie. "Sharing the stage with such legendary women in metal is an incredible honor, and we're excited for the amazing experiences and memorable shows ahead. We can't wait to see you all there!"
Ignite the Fire Tour May 2024
May 2 - Wilmington, DE @ The Queen [TICKETS]
May 3 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony [TICKETS]
May 4 - Reading, PA @ Reverb [TICKETS]
May 6 - Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa [TICKETS]
May 7 - Charlotte, NC @ The Underground [TICKETS]
May 9 - Daytona Beach, FL @ Rockville Festival [TICKETS]*
May 11 - Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl [TICKETS]
May 13 - Ft. Smith, AR @ Temple Live [TICKETS]
May 14 - Wichita, KS @ Temple Live [TICKETS]
May 15 - St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall [TICKETS]
May 17 - Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Festival [TICKETS]**
May 19 - Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest [TICKETS]*
*Only Lacuna Coil
** No Oceans of Slumber
OCEANS OF SLUMBER is a progressive metal band from Houston, Texas. Throughout the years, the band has released several studio albums that showcase their musical growth and introspective lyrics. Their discography delves into themes of mental health, human emotions, and existential struggles.
The band’s intense live performances leave audiences in awe of their musical prowess and passionate stage presence. Their dedication to craft and willingness to experiment solidifies them as a formidable force in the metal scene. Continuously pushing boundaries and inspiring fans worldwide, Oceans of Slumber carve a unique path in the world of progressive metal, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
Lineup
Cammie Beverly - vocals
Dobber Beverly- drums, piano
Semir Ozerkan - bass
Alex Davis - guitar
Chris Kritikos - guitar, synth
Style: Dark Cinematic Metal
FFO: Ne Obliviscaris, Swallow the Sun, Ihashn
Recording
Audiovision Studios in Bogotá, Columbia
Assistant engineering at Audiovision by Deyra Castillo and David Dueñas Piña
Production
Produced and engineered by Joel Hamilton
Mixed by Joel Hamilton at Studio G in Brooklyn, New York
Additional engineering by Chris Kritikos
Assistant engineering by Justin Termotto
Follow Oceans of Slumber
Official Website:https://oceansofslumber.com/
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