PROFUNA OCEAN - review added 6th August 2009
Album Review: Watching The Closing Sky (2009)
For fans of: Prog Rock... and a chilled vibe
Dutch group Profuna Ocean started in 2008 and consist of Raoul Potters (guitar and vocals),
Fred de Hartog (drums),
Arjan Visser (bass)
and René Visser (keyboards). Watching The Closing Sky, their debut album, only has four tracks and is theoretically an EP but, at almost 40 minutes, it's longer than many full releases.
The sound covers many bases. Every base is firmly rooted in progressive rock but the influences come from far and wide. There are 70's nuances, metal-istic interludes, jazz and blues chords, and pure rock ball-swinging. The overriding vibe is chilled and atmospheric and no amount of dallying with heavier styles is going to alter that.
'Changing Legacy' is like Radiohead meeting a darker version of Yes. The twiddling guitar sound gives the song a strong character. The throbbing bass/drum portion later in the track is produced almost to the point of none existence, but I bet it'll be as heavy as a lead zeppelin live. 'Lost Inside (The Landscape)' is a slower track with a few buoyant sections. The centre of the song is like a symphonic version of System Of A Down, but that layer of quiet subtlety is always there to rein exuberance back in.
'Sad Silhouette' is so introspective it almost comes back out the other side. It reminds me of a deeply progressive take on the Smashing Pumpkins. It's a lovely song but is way too flowery and meek for it's own good... a definite case of less is sometimes less. Final track 'S.C.I.T.S.' is a 14 minute monster offering more of the same plus tribal drums, chill out synth's, a Pink Floyd solo and even (possibly) Slayer playing a concert on an intergalactic spaceship.
Watching The Closing Sky is a fine album with much to offer both the serious prog aficionado and fans of chilled-rock. The performances are up to scratch and the arrangements keep interest levels high. Ultimately, however, by stripping the raw ferocity from the instruments the remaining melodic pleasantries are just too safe. With a load more attitude this band could really appeal. For the moment, for all their mellow wanderings, they only manage to hint at brilliance.
Check out... All the good sounds that are muffled by the overly friendly production.
Track List:
1. Changing Legacy
2. Lost Inside (The Landscape)
3. Sad Silhouette
4. S.C.I.T.S.
Artist's website(s): Profuna Ocean , MySpace
