As i’m sure we’re all well aware by now, Germany is in the habit of pumping out some absolute monsters when it comes to metal bands. Industrial metal has the fire breathing titan that is Rammstein. Electronicore has Electric Callboy and their fresh new rave inspired sound. Heavy metal has the multi award winning Scorpions. And the new wave of Nu-Metal/Death Metal that is sweeping the scene at the moment has Oceans.

Now its okay if you’ve not heard of Oceans yet, I’m just deeply upset that it means you either didn’t read, or didn’t follow up on my previous glowing review of their album The Sun And The Cold. However, you may redeem yourself by paying attention to me this time, and going and listening to their new album Hell Is Where The Heart Is.

I will start by saying that if you follow these guys already, as I do, you’ve probably already heard most of the songs, as they have slowly drip fed them to us in the form of Hell Is Where The Heart Is Parts 1-3.
The result of this is that you probably know whether you like it or not already, at which point we must question why you’re reading this review at all, unless to validate you’re own musical listening (enjoy what you enjoy!), or because you are the band themselves hoping to see a positive critical reception.
That said, even if you have made your mind up already, this really is an album that is worth listening to another hundred times over once put together in its entirety.

Anyway! We’re here for the music, not to question the way it was released into this world of streaming we live in, and Oceans latest album is a thoroughly exciting listen.

You can definitely hear a good portion of influence from bands like Korn, especially in the vocals that frontman Timo Rotten puts down, but Oceans take the Nu-Metal vibes and really infuse a slower, heavier, more punishing Death Metal sound into it. Sulfur, and the titular track Hell Is Where The Heart Is really double down on this heaviness, with pummelling riffs and, at times, almost Slaughter To Prevail quality low growls, the two songs are probably the heaviest this album has to offer and really do allow the band to take you to the depths of hell.

This isn’t to say its all blast beats and death growls, as with The Sun And The Cold, Oceans craft in well thought out slower moments, with captivating clean vocals, that at times are as haunting as they are beautiful. For me, it’s this seamless mix of brutal, dark heaviness and tender, calmness that really allow this album to excel.
Skin is a prime example of this, dancing along gently with words of warmth and love, between bouts of visceral, self destructive obsession. Whilst If There’s A God, She Has Abandoned Us provides one of the most soft and thought provoking songs of the entire album.
Dotted between these extremes of heavy and soft, Oceans offer us their more melodic, sing along songs. Home and I Want To Be Whole Again are sure to be fan favourites, with catchy choruses and memorable riffs.

Now, I think its important to remember this album is firmly divided into three parts, telling a very dark love story. Its tidily done, an intro to each part, with a narrative, followed by 3 songs. And while I haven’t talked about it in any particular order, listening to it all in order really is the best way to appreciate every song on the album. Whilst its arguable the intro’s to each part maybe aren’t entirely necessary to the album, as a storytelling mechanic, they are an interesting listen.

Anyway, before we end up here forever, I wish to say…
I don’t think my review can really do it justice without becoming an ungodly wall of text about how much I love this album the more I listen to it.
Hell Is Where The Heart Is provides a fantastic mix of sounds that I truly feel is sure to please many listeners. Their song writing is clean, and as an album feels thoughtfully laid out, and the instrumentation blends together wonderfully. Oceans latest release is a fitting successor to The Sun And The Cold, offering a familiar sound, that has been expanded on successfully to create a record that has the ability to be calming, scary, and emotional at different points, without ever feeling at odds with itself.

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. LISTEN. TO. OCEANS.

Hell Is Where The Heart Is is out 25/11/2022 via Nuclear Blast and can be purchased here.

For more on Oceans visit their Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter, and even Twitch!