The lack of creative insight in many genres is the sign of two things: or it became so eroded that nothing is left to be done on it (a false hypothesis), or the band lives inside a cage created by musical paradigms and influences. But the great number of releases on a genre can cause many problems as well, due the second fact written above. And OCEAN CHIEF, a quartet from Sweden, shows to be locked up in such cage on "Den Tredje Dagen".

Once more, they use that eroded (and boring) formula of mixing Stoner Metal with Sludge Metal and Doom Metal, but using and extreme Metal insight. But the crude ambience created by their melancholic and introspective music shows a lack of creativeness, because the songs repeat the same parts again and again during long time spams. Imagine hearing the same thing for 9-10 minutes, and it becomes a torture (the problem detected on "Den Tredje Dagen"), even for the most fanatic listener. There are good moments (as can be heard on "Hyllningen", where a feeling like old MY DYING BRIDE gave on "Turn Loose the Swans" can be heard), but the band fails to create something that could be different from what was heard before.

The production has not great problems. The fusion of a bitter and crude ambiance with a sonority that enables the listeners to understand what is being played is a very good strategy, creating a sound quality that fits on what they played, but without causing prejudice for the understanding of the album.

Some good musical ideas can be detected on songs as "Hyllningen" (the rhythmic changes during such slow approach always creates something good for the ears), "Dömd" (although the everlasting 15 minutes bores the ears, some good arrangements can be heard, but the endless repetition bores anyone). But the endless 'time-and-time-again' heard on "Den Tredje Dagen" (besides the aggressive vocals are good), "Den Sista Resan" and "Meditation 5" (bonus track of the CD version) can heal the worst case of insomnia the reader can think of.

Another good band that deals in the wrong way with their own talent...