Oceanic (album)

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Oceanic is Isis' fifth solo release and second full length. Its release marks a distinct departure from their previous style; up until this point, Isis had been characterised by crushing, distorted guitars and a coarse, unforgiving tone. With this album came the introduction of lengthy periods of clean guitar, large amounts of ambient noise and female vocals. The change of style proved trying for some long-standing fans, but beneficial in garnering a greater fanbase and the Neurosis-Godflesh comparisons began to lessen in number. The eschewing of sludgecore elements, and increased focus on atmospherics and post-rock elements whilst still retaining metal and hardcore elements led to the album being labelled by many as post-metal. Some critics attribute it to having truly formed the genre, out of a previously nebulous definition.

Oceanic was named Terrorizer's number one album of 2002. It was greeted with great critical acclaim from not only niche magazines, but also from popular music reviewers, such as allmusic. In some ways, this release pushed Isis to the fore of their genre, and enabled them to branch out to new fans.

Some fans and critics will point out that the album had a notable influence on the metal/post-rock scene in the years following. In 2003, Cult of Luna released The Beyond; taking a similar stylistic departure from previous LP Cult Luna as Oceanic took from preceding albums SGNL>05 and Celestial. Whilst it is unfair to accuse Cult of Luna of plagiarism, it is hard to disprove any influence. Other bands, such as Berlin's The Ocean can also be said to draw on the dynamics of this album.

The album was remixed in a series of four vinyl EPs, named Oceanic Remixes/Interpretations Volumes I-IV and released on Robotic Empire Records in 2004 and 2005. Contributors included Mike Patton, Venetian Snares and Justin Broadrick. These tracks, and an additional track by Tim Hecker, were compiled into a two-CD release on Hydra Head Records, entitled Oceanic Remixes and Reinterpretations.

Themes

The album reintroduces the water and female themes of past releases the Red Sea and Celestial through a story: A man at the brink of emotional numbness finds a female counterpart who completes him ("The Beginning and the End," "False Light"). However, he soon finds that she has had a long-term incestuous relationship ("Maritime," "Weight;" "a day, it changes everything") with her brother ("Hym," "The Other"). This drives him to lose all hope, and he commits suicide through drowning ("from sinking sands, he stepped into light's embrace;" as well, "I can't see her. I can't even breathe" - "Celestial (The Tower)"). The entire story is described by frontman Aaron Turner in a radio interview [link] and in more nebulous terms in the booklet for Oceanic.

Track listing

All songs written by Isis.

"The Beginning and the End" – 8:02
"The Other" – 7:15
"False Light" – 7:42
"Carry" – 6:48
"-" – 2:05
"Maritime" – 3:03
"Weight" – 10:46
"From Sinking" – 8:24
"Hym" – 9:13

Personnel

Matt Bayles – Audio engineering, audio mixing and production
Mélanie Benoit – Album photography
Ed Brooks – Mastering
Jeff Caxide – Bass guitar
Maria Christopher – Vocals on "The Beginning and the End", "Weight" and "Carry"
Aaron Harris – Drums
Justin Hellman – Album photography
Michael Gallagher – Guitar
Bryant Clifford Meyer – Electronics, guitar, vocals on the first section of "Hym"
Ayal Noar – Vocals on "The Beginning and the End" and "Weight"
Aaron Turner – Vocals, guitar, album art and layout

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