Pantheon of the Lesser

This is a sludge/doom metal release by the band called Oceans. They are pretty well known to doom metal fans. This album consists of only 2 songs and still clocks over an hour! This is a pretty solid and a very atmospheric album. Most doom metal albums are depressing but this album actually made me feel relaxed!

The guitars are slow, structured and well timed. The songs start off on a slow tempo and gradually grow fast but dont expect any head banging stuff. They are very well timed and thus makes the songs flow well. The first song is really good and although clocking at 35 minutes, it never feels boring.

The bass is great. Though you can't hear it very clearly, you can certainly feel the heaviness it creates. Without the bass, this album won't be what it is. The production is good enough to project the bass in a controlled manner.

The drums are rythumic and slow and flow along the other instruments. The drummer has got some really good rhythm sense. The drums mostly get along the guitars and stay in the background.

The vocals are pretty average on the first track. The growling in the background does add to the atmosphere but I would have preffered more lyrical content. The female vocals on the second track were not good in my opinion and should have been avoided.

The production is near perfect. All the instruments are audible except the bass which is made to sound a little softer than other instruments but you can't really complain.

All in all, this a very solid album and do buy it if you stunble across it somewhere.