...and Oceans
Cosmic World Mother

The ...and Oceans (yes, written with the ellipsis at the beginning) are a band with a rather inconsistent and fragmented career. Formed in Finland (where else?) in the mid-'90s, a decidedly prolific period for releases in the extreme scene, they made their debut with "The Dynamic Gallery of Thoughts" (1998), a symphonic black metal concentrate capable of rivaling far more popular and celebrated works, which immediately catapulted the group to the top of the Northern European metal scene. Things changed with the onset of the new millennium, especially with the release of the controversial "A.M.G.O.D." and "Cypher," in 2001 and 2002 respectively, where the Finns ventured into sounds leaning towards electronic and industrial music. The results, though still convincing, allowed the group to win over new segments of the audience, while simultaneously displeasing the early fans who were more attached to the symphonic sounds of their early career. After all, it is well-known that change always involves such risks, between those who appreciate the stylistic turn and those who are disappointed.

After that, almost nothing. The group eventually decided to change their name to Havoc Unit, releasing only one album (namely "h.IV+ (Hoarse Industrial Viremia)" from 2008) which did not achieve particular success, thus decreeing the end of the Scandinavian formation.

In the following years, with the emergence of new formations destined to dominate the international extreme scene (and with the consequent change in metal audience taste), the name ...and Oceans fell into oblivion, becoming a name known only to a few loyalists and collectors.

However, just when everything seemed lost, they decided to give it another go. The reunion, which occurred in 2017, had truly unexpected outcomes, and the album reviewed here, "Cosmic World Mother," the fifth studio album released in May 2020, is the clear confirmation of that.

Eighteen years of discographic silence is not a short time, and the risk of merely executing a nostalgia act is very high. Fortunately for us, ...and Oceans deftly avoid this trap, thanks to an album that not only sounds like an excellent compendium of all their past musical experiences but also marks the beginning of a new path for the Finnish band. The initial tracks "The Dissolution of Mind and Matter" and "Vigilance and Atrophy" make things clear right from the start: the return to the symphonic black metal of their beginnings is evident. The guitars are in the forefront, supported by a tight rhythm section often bursting into whirlwind blast beats. The keyboards complete the picture, creating suspended and dreamlike atmospheres.

A moment’s reprieve comes with "As the After Becomes the Before," thanks to an initial mid-tempo which allows us to catch our breath, before exploding into another epic gallop at a very high rhythm, reinvigorated by the icy sound of the keyboards.

A melancholic and evocative piano appears in the first seconds of the title-track and in the interlude "In Abhorrence upon Meadows," perhaps the only true moment of reflection in the entire album, while in "Helminthiasis" we find an unexpected ambient/electronic break, reminiscent of the experiments of the "A.M.G.O.D." and "Cypher" period, momentarily softening the tension of the track, before resuming as it began.

"The Flickering Lights" is the concluding track. A cadenced and solemn-toned piece, it proves to be the perfect conclusion to an album that should be listened to in one breath, without interruptions that diminish the impact and tension of the entire work.

In conclusion, "Cosmic World Mother" is a very welcome surprise, a grand comeback without too much fanfare by a band that, despite almost twenty years of absence from the scene (Tool, who?), has produced a truly memorable album, capable of being listened to again even after a long time. This is no small feat, especially in the current crowded musical landscape, where more and more bands are trying to make their mark, sometimes with mixed results.

What else is there to say then? We can only wait to see what ...and Oceans have in store for us with the release of their next album, scheduled for January 27, 2023. I’m already waiting...