Whether you hate them or love them, Oceano has completely changed as a band, and its for the better. Adam Warren's vocal style retains alot of the cookie-monster, bowel-loosening lows and punishing, driving mids from "Depths," while pushing his highs to new...well...highs.Warrens seems to have to have taken the time in between albums to perfect his vocals. His lows are guttural, seeming to change from a sound a human could produce to some incredible synthesized abomination of human vocal cords. His mids are in the same range sound-wise, but he's become much more distinguishable in this range than he was on "Depths." The high seem to tear themselves out of his mouth at just the right times to add more intensity and feeling to the bottom-heavy riffs he's screaming over.
Nick and Devin are another huge part of why this album is as good as it is. Nick had a little more time to write material and get the overall feel of the band before the addition of Devin, but they've both shined on this record. The riffs are much more diverse. These two apparently aren't afraid to venture into that scary land above the first three frets that eludes most other death metal/hardcore bands into this scene. Their riffs are faster, more complex, more unpredictable, and (dare I say it??) heavier than anything found on "Depths." Since both of them can play lead and write these soul-withering riffs (not to mention Devin's soloing ability) the member change seems to be one of the best things to ever happen to the band. **I'm in no way digging at Andrew in saying that, either. Every now and again a band needs new blood to mix it up a little.**
Maybe it was fate, or some other divine power, but Jason Jones' bass malfunctioning and his having to use the bass of none other than Jack Strong (Acacia Strain) brought a whole new level to this album. Zeuss has created a new standard for bass engineering in metal with this production. Finally, Jason's tracks cut through the mix, adding their own chilling effect to the songs (see Viral re-Animation: tell me that song could have done with just the everyday muddled metal bass tracking.) And finally, one thing that has stood out to all listeners of this album: Danny Terchin on the drums. "Depths" offered us a glimpse of a talented, precise player; but "Contagion" beats all the speculation right out of you. His timing, speed, fills, and overall originality on the drums make this album stand out in the saturated deathcore scene. he mixes elements from punk/hardcore, pure death metal and hardcore to make his own blend of punishing percussion that makes want to mosh, headbang, and air drum along all at the same time.
"Contagion" is something any "deathcore" fan has to have. Period. Put this in your playlist with Whitechapel, Suicide Silence, The Acacia Strain, and others like them. Zeuss has pushed Oceano to some of their best material to date, and his influence shines through on every song. Buy this album for the conceptualized lyrics that tell of a a man-made apocalypse. Buy it for the new crushing, epic wall of sound that is Jason, Nick and Devin. Buy it for drumming that will make you want to practice or play drums until you're half as good as Danny Terchin. And did I mention the guest vocals from Alex Erian and Steve Marois (Despised Icon) and Nick Arthur (Molotov Solution)?
Epic.
Tracklisting:
- Precursor to Enslavement
- Viral Re-Animation (feat. Alex Erian and Steve Marois)
- Regulated Disposal of Life
- Quarantine
- The Contmainated
- Exist in Confinement
- Persuasive Oppression (feat. Nick Arthur)
- Weaponized
- Sadistic Experiments
- Remnants Aflame
- Ending Intellect
