OCEANS is classed as Modern Metal by us at Metal Temple. When you look at the Metal Archives site it says that the band plays Post-Metal/Metalcore. I have to say that they are both right about what these musicians from Berlin in Germany and Vienna in Austria are producing on “Happy”. OCEANS actually started out in 2017 and since 2020 they have given us a studio album every two years. Their debut is called “The Sun And The Cold”, whilst their second album is named “Hell Is Where The Heart Is”. On top of that they also have showered their audience with seven EP’s. Well, however many music they may have produced, “Happy” is my first encounter with OCEANS.

And I don’t know how they got to “Happy” as their title, as the music does a lot, but making me feel happy isn’t one of them. Because it doesn’t matter from which angle I look at this, this won’t make you feel better about anything. This is very desolate, rather despairing Metalcore with Nu-Metal and Post Hardcore elements woven in. What does become clear rather quickly is that these guys are quite tight in their playing, they gel well together. And on the songs where EARTH CALLER is featuring a little bit of a Rap influence is added. And although that’s not always a good thing, in this case it does help with heightening the musical intensity. It gives just that little bit of an extra dimension to the music OCEANS plays.

I usually listen to the albums I will be reviewing on my headphones while I am walking the dogs. And if what is being sent to my ears is interesting, divers and/or of a high quality, it keeps my attention at all times. I have to admit that this didn’t help when playing “Happy”. My mind drifted off in thought about other matters, forgetting all about the OCEANS album that was supposed to be my main focus, together with my dogs and the traffic around me. And that is what is bugging me, as even though these guys know how to make music, most of the music on “Happy” is as bland and inspiring as watching grass grow. This really doesn’t make me “Happy”. It doesn’t make me sad either. It just does nothing for me. And that is even worse. OCEANS need to add more excitement in their songs instead of doing the predictable. Then they have a chance of grabbing my attention.