We are to be treated to something very special on May 23rd, courtesy of the Season of Mist label, which is so often a bastion of extreme metal of the finest quality, as indeed is the icy Northern European nation of Finland. This is because the multifaceted Scandinavian musical institution that is And Oceans – The Regeneration Itinerary Album Review…is about to grace us with music that draws from all stages of their varied and storied career.
It is their seventh full-length album under the …And Oceans moniker, having also operated under the names Havoc Unit and Festerday, producing nine albums in total and many other releases besides, spanning an incredible 30-year history. During this time, they have moved from symphonic black metal to industrial and electronic body music amongst other styles, taking an approach to their music that is as diverse and wide-ranging as their nomenclature. Here, on The Regeneration Itinerary, all strands converge, comprising the ultimate expression of who they are as a band.
The opening track, Inertiae, is a fine example of this versatile and eclectic approach. It begins with eerie-sounding synths, similar to those on Fear Factory’s Obsolete, then suddenly opens up into lightning-fast black metal with synths still present. This combination of the ominous and the furious then gives way to symphonic strains and an apparent dialogue between spectral and diabolical voices. This mutates into dark, pulsating techno somewhat reminiscent of late-90s Aphex Twin. They then return, by way of a cacophonous recirculation, to black metal, and in so doing, cover more ground stylistically in four minutes and thirty seconds than many bands manage in their entire careers.
The second track, Förnyelse i Tre Akter, follows a more conventional black metal blueprint, with tremolo picking and drumming that seem to defy the laws of physics. There is a slower section in the middle with a simplified chord structure, atmospheric synths and a chiming bell, that classic staple of metal deployed by AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Metallica and so many others. It is utilised to great effect here, enhancing the ominous tone. This section recurs later to bring the song to a menacing end.
Chromium Lungs, Bronze Optics opens with a tantalisingly brief drum intro and introduces a slower, groove-laden string to the bow, which alternates with faster, exhilarating passages, with enchantingly atmospheric synths juxtaposed with the anguished howls of Mathias Lillmåns. The contrast between beauty and brutality is evident throughout. The Form and the Formless follows suit, with an even more impressive brief drum intro, before percussive and stringed instruments explode in blackened apoplexy beneath a demented church organ sound, and Lillmåns’ voice reaching an even more demonic pitch. Then, apropos of nothing, we have about 18 seconds of a syncopated section akin to the soundtrack of a late 20th Century arcade game. It makes no sense whatsoever, and I absolutely love it! We return abruptly to black metal, this time with plaintive piano sounds, and I’m wondering what can possibly come next. This will not be to everyone’s taste, but nobody could accuse it of being dull.
Some serene spage-age sounds open Prophetic Mercury Implement, which might lull the casual listener into a false sense of security, before exploding into blistering black metal played at a blood vessel-bursting pace, albeit with a delicate, plaintive melody over the top of it. We have the introduction of a waltz beat about two minutes in, which is not something I’ve heard in black metal before. This turns to a 6/8 section with more achingly poignant melody, and the ending is absolutely epic. The Fire in Which We Burn has an industrial flavour to it, sounding like ealy Fear Factory at times, and classic black metal at others. I could certainly imagine a young Burton C. Bell barking out the words: “Burn the flesh! Raise the curtain! Enlighten the path!”
The dark synth sounds stay with us as the album proper is concluded, appropriately enough by The Terminal Filter, in which haunting melodies are juxtaposed with sheer, unrelenting heaviness, until the brutality fades for proceedings to be brought to a close by poignantly beautiful fashion, courtesy of the keys of Antti Simonen. We are then treated to two bonus tracks, the first of which, Copper Blood, Titanium Scars, has a flavour of Dio’s Holy Diver about it, and also some lovely harmonised tremolo picking and delightfully discordant keyboard sounds. The latter, The Discord Static, brings us back to dark EBM beats, combined with extreme metal awash with sinister synths, giving it a distinct industrial edge, and that’s that for a challenging but thoroughly rewarding listening experience.
Black metal has come a long way since its church-burning pantomime evil roots. It is now a subgenre of staggering scope, and so often a vehicle for beauty as much as for brutality. That is thanks in no small part to the innovative spirit of bands such as …And Oceans. It is hugely commendable that they remain so ambitious and experimental this deep into their careers. So many bands are pretty much on a greatest hits footing after three decades in the game. It is commendable also that they avoid falling into the trap of becoming ponderous, pretentious or self-indulgent with their innovation – one into which many bands who seek to be innovative simply for the sake of it so frequently fall. The Regeneration Itinerary is an album of great eclecticism and assuredness from a group of musicians at the very top of their craft, and a perfect encapsulation of their storied career. In recognition of this, I’m going to do something I’ve never done before, and award the album the full five devil horns.
Metal Lair rates this album 5 out of 5 metal horns up.
The Regeneration Itinerary by …And Oceans is available via www.season-of-mist.com
Tracklisting:
1. Inertiae
2. Förnyelse i Tre Akter
3. Chromium Lungs, Bronze Optics
4. The Form and the Formless
5. Prophetical Mercury Implement
6. The Fire in Which We Burn
7. The Ways of Sulphur
8. I Am Coin, I Am Two
9. Towards the Absence of Light
10. The Terminal Filter
11. Copper Blood, Titanium Scars (Bonus Track)
12. The Discord Static (Bonus Track)
Line-up:
Mathias Lillmåns – Vocals
Teemu Saari – Guitar
Timo Kontio – Guitar
Pyry Hanski – Bass
Antti Simonen – Keyboards
Kauko Kuusisalo – Drums
