Alternating between heady mathcore, sweeping symphonic metal, and a groove flexible metalcore, The Ocean offer razor-filled ear-candy with the album "Fluxion". A commune like collective of musicians living out of a World War II aluminium factory in Berlin, The Ocean has been creating beautifully complex music since 2001. "Fluxion" sails through influence and style as The Ocean once again deliver the goods.

Lyrical content ranges from misanthropy to ennui and all gloomy points in between. Such dark topics are underscored by inspired classical string arrangements. Intensity undulates through heavy, guitar driven metal, to various other combinations of things like hand drums and classical strings. These compositional techniques are first apparent on track 2, "The Human Stain". String arrangements also highlight peaks in "Isla Del Sol", "The Greatest Bane", and the title track "Fluxion". However, for hardcore purists, there's a more traditional feel to "Comfort Zones", "Dead on the Whole" and "Equinox". "Fluxion" leaps back and forth between symphonic and mathcore with ease.

Since Robin Staps [guitarist and songwriter] formed The Ocean, they've gone through twelve vocalists in approximately eight years. In fact, The Ocean's Myspace page advertises their current search for a new vocalist. Do you have what it takes?

"Fluxion", originally a 2004 release, was re-released this year with new vocal tracks. Originally three different screamers were needed to land "Fluxion". It seems Staps hasn't found what he's looking for, or he's hoping to keep it fresh. In a German interview, he joked about how The Ocean was giving away t-shirts to whomever could name all the vocal alumni. It can be said though that lyrical style and delivery have always been improving for The Ocean. It's exciting to think of what the next steps will bring. Stap is, a veteran of the metal world and will no doubt find the perfect fit for The Oceans next recording, thus ensuring the constant cycle of rebirth for The Oceans dynamic.

Truly a brilliant album, "Fluxion" is once again a catch from The Ocean.

Jesus, I'm a dork.