Oceans Ate Alaska – Disparity
Release Date: 1st September 2022
Label: Fearless Records
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Genre: Metalcore, Deathcore.
FFO: Glass Cloud, Adestria, Invent Animate.
Review By: Ryan Payne
After a 5-year wait since their last record, Oceans Ate Alaska are releasing their long-anticipated 3rd album, “Disparity”. Combining groovy metalcore riffs, atmospheric choruses and deathcore influenced breakdowns, the metal quintet has delivered us an incredible 11-track treat, filled with everything a modern metal enthusiast could ask for. The band released their first single “Metamorph” back in 2020 and unfortunately had to put any new music on hold due to the pandemic. But the within those years, OAA have been working hard, perfecting their sound and are ready to come out swinging in 2022, as demonstrated with their latest single “New Dawn”. When asked about the creation of “Disparity”, vocalist James Harrison had this to say:
“Within the past two years, our world has changed significantly, and so have we. While biding our time since the last single (“Metamorph”), we’ve faced adversity and loss, yet also joyous moments as a band. ‘New Dawn’ epitomizes the death of what you once believed to be true.”
This album takes the listener on an immense journey, divulging into many different subgenres throughout each track and never knowing what’s going to come next. The contrast between the more melodic sections and the heavier segments make it sound like 2 completely different bands being smashed together to create a chaotic formula that, most importantly, works incredibly well. Songs like “Dead Behind the Eyes” and “Plague Speech” take a more deathcore approach, showing OAA at their heaviest, while other tracks like “Empty Space” and “Shallow Graves” are more melodic and metalcore sounding, bringing a form of beauty amongst the beast that is “Disparity”. The composition on this album is absolutely phenomenal, experimenting with different tempos, genres and timings throughout every song, creating an album that most could rival some of the biggest bands in the scene today.
There’s no denying that the guitar work from James Kennedy, Adam Zytkiewicz and Mike Stanton is nothing short of exceptional, these guys have truly outdone themselves with the riff work on this record. But the shining star on this record has to be the drum machine himself, Chris Turner. His name has come up too many times as being one of the best drummers in the genre, and “Desparity” is a true testament to his craft. The skill and delivery these guys have put into these tracks has made this one of the best records to have come out of the genre in a long while. James Harrison’s vocals are just the icing on top of the cake. Exploring his range effortlessly on every song and not sticking to the same technique for too long really makes the record more enjoyable to listen through.
Honestly, I could go on about this album for ages. It has the perfect blend of metalcore and deathcore, as well as a mixture of other subgenres to keep things flavourful while listening through. The 5 years wait is completely justified by the sheer brilliance and perfection Oceans Ate Alaska have delivered on this album. They are on touring the UK in September and I can’t wait to hear these songs live. “Disparity” is released on the 1st September and I guarantee it will be Album Of The Year for the majority that listen to it. 
(5 / 5)
