“None of us chose to be here but we’re privileged to stay.”
With a tenure spanning over a decade, Being As An Ocean is a cherished name in the post-hardcore scene. With their 2012 debut album, Dear G-d, they introduced us to their confessional style, spoken word infused style of post-hardcore. Writing heartfelt lyrics about subjects like faith and relationships, lead vocalist Joel Quartuccio has always had a unique way with words and vocal delivery. In recent years, their sound has pivoted more towards darker subject matters, combined with an active rock and electronic influenced style. This musical direction was to mixed results, in my opinion. Their first three albums will always be held in high regard by me.
Undergoing a few lineup changes, the band’s current lineup consists only of Quartuccio and longtime guitarist and clean vocalist Michael McGough (Heart Of Gold). Despite this, the band still aim to create something genuine and vulnerable with their first album in five years, Death Can Wait.
Two of the pre-release in particular had my hopes for the album swinging in opposite directions. Second single “Swallowed By The Earth” takes on a modern metalcore-influenced sound, employing familiar tactics like low-string riffing and an anthemic chorus. Quartuccio’s vocals are impressively more aggressive on the track, but the heavy sections end up being rather jarring against the more melodic elements of the track. The blend between contrasting portions of the song ends up sounding messy. Subsequent single “Flesh and Bone” restored my confidence in the band’s approach, with a track that brought in more elements of their older music. Calmer, atmospheric sections as a backdrop for Quartuccio’s iconic spoken word vocals lead into a beautifully emotional chorus from McGough. The wistful track feels very much like a successful blend of their past and present styles, with each era’s strengths playing off each other. The contrast in my reception of these singles left my expectations of the album hanging in the balance.
The album opens with “Beautiful Agony”, starting the album with a processed version of Quartuccio’s voice singing over a minimalist synth beat. Reminiscent of the style they presented on PROXY: An A.N.I.M.O. Story, the track takes a twist and blooms into a post-hardcore track, with beautiful lead lines and ambient filled guitar soundscapes anchoring the track. This is a choice I very much appreciate, allowing the track to develop and preventing it from remaining one-note.
Most of the album follows in the footsteps of “Flesh and Bone”, a relief to me, as the band appear to have struck a balance between their post hardcore roots and their recent sonic inclinations. While a majority of the album takes on a more modern approach, instances of their older sound shine through. Late album cut “Snake” has a composition that is heavily reminiscent of the style of the band’s sophomore album, How We Both Wondrously Perish. It is heartening that while Being As An Ocean has evolved in their sound, they are still able to bring an effective throwback.
One of the album’s strongest elements is McGough’s vocals. Though he’s always been an integral part to Being As An Ocean’s sound, his ability to craft soaring, emotionally impactful hooks seems to have taken a huge step up. A good number of the choruses on this album feel massive and they give their respective tracks identity and a sense of completeness. Tracks like “… Gave It a Voice So That My Heart Could Speak” demonstrate his ever-growing ability to craft these beautiful vocal melodies. Quartuccio’s vocals are vulnerable and passionate as ever, and he’s expanded his range over the years, delivering more ferocious, metalcore-style screams and adding a new dimension to the sound. Admittedly, he can sound too intense in some moments, raising the intensity in parts which may not require it.
On the subject of emotional rawness, there is one track that deserves the spotlight. Early album cut “Purest Love” sees the album take a peak in vulnerability. The desperation in Quartuccio’s voice as he screams about the pain a loved one endures, there’s a real sense of hurt in his voice as he bares his inner turmoil. With a lot of the lyrics referencing flare ups, it’s likely that the song is about his wife, who deals with an autoimmune disease. Amidst the words about the reality of the pain, there’s a beaming admiration that comes from Quartuccio as he speaks of the way his wife endures the disease. All these elements combined make for one of my favourite Being As An Ocean songs to date.
The sonic variation on this album is quite intriguing. While finding common ground between new and old, they still manage to introduce new elements the the sound. There are some unexpected choices, like on “… Gave It a Voice So That My Heart Could Speak” where the track is led by an almost progressive metalcore sounding riff, and ends on an unusually djenty breakdown for the band. The ambience on the album is another strong quality, furthering the melancholic feel of most of the record. There are certain parts of the album that lean too far in directions I’m not too keen on, such tracks like “Gloom” taking on a chorus that sounds too radio rock-esque. In this balancing act of styles amassed over the years, a few plates were bound to fall to the floor.
The final two songs on the tracklist wrap up the album satisfyingly. The album’s title track is an optimistic one, encouraging the listener to make the most of life amidst its fleeting nature. A direct contrast the many of the album’s more vulnerable themes, it seems to signify a hope despite the trials of life, and there is significance in its placement on the album. As the chorus goes, “With one foot in life and the other in the grave We can’t keep living like death can wait.” Closing track “The Fullness of My Being” is a much cleaner execution of the heavier sound the band was going for. A reflection on the worth Quartuccio put on himself as an artist, the track peaks on a subtler moment. The dissonance heavy main riffs and powerful choruses strip back to reveal a spoken word section from Quartuccio, one most heavily reminiscent of his vocal style on their earliest albums. Undoubtedly a special moment on the album, it closes the album on a poetic note.
In all honesty, I went into this album sceptical, not fully on board with the prior evolution of Being As An Ocean’s sound. There’s a joy in being proved wrong this time, as the band deliver an album with a clear sense of identity and genuineness. Though certain musical choices here and there could be subject to nitpicking, the finished product is still one that feels whole, and its lyrical sincerity is undeniable. Death Can Wait is a welcome addition to the discography, and Being As An Ocean continue to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
7/10
Death Can Wait releases on the 2nd of February via Out Of Line, and pre-order links for the album can be found here.