“Oceans Of Slumber is what heavy metal music should sound like in 2013, being a cacophony of sounds and styles that all seem to meld together into an awesome and unforgettable trip.” 10/10

Eric May, The Grim Tower

Houston Progressive Metallers OCEANS OF SLUMBER Release Aetherial

On February 1st OCEANS OF SLUMBER self-released a progressive metal whirlwind called Aetherial. Labeling a band like OCEANS OF SLUMBER is never quite as easy as one would think. The Houston band features in its ranks the drummer of grind purists INSECT WARFARE (among many others), a degreed Jazz guitarist, and an all-around cast of “players’ players.” What results from this collective of skilled musicians and a broad cross section of influence is the adventurous Aetherial. Musical classification is of no interest to the band however. Instead, OCEANS OF SLUMBER create waves of stimulating atmosphere and use their talents to exploit the dynamics of the music, thereby creating the undeniably epic wall of sound that has become the Texans’ trademark. The person responsible for the mixing and mastering of Aetherial, UK madman Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, DIMMU BORGIR, EVILE, etc.), had this to say about his work with Houston prog-metallers:

“Oceans of Slumber are of one of the top 10 bands I’ve ever worked with. The perfect mixture of sheer brutality with ultimate musicianship taking you on a journey through music. Old school metal mixed with prog and psychedelia brought right up to date with cutting death metal and black metal influences. All my favorite stuff rolled into one!”

Whilst storytelling has been – and remains – at the core of all that HUNTSMEN is, they continue to dissolve the boundaries between metal and the more traditional modes of folk and country. Released March 13, 2020 to critical acclaim, their latest album ‘Mandala of Fear’ marries melody and progressive elements to create an undulating foundation to layer its dystopian missive on atop.

Crafting a wide variety of European influences, Withering Soul seeks to evoke a sound completely of it’s own, that is both fierce and majestic. Anything from bludgeoning riffs, brutally catchy rhythms, to ghastly yet mysterious melodies, are what will warm the ears of anyone that listens. Painted atop a diverse arrangement of musical passages, is the specter of both melodic singing and sinister screams. The veritable result is an orchestrated seance of dueling guitars, pummeling percussion, and unearthly keyboards. The lyrical content echoes of themes connected to the subconsciousness, horror, and the supernatural. Ultimately, the band strives to create a sound that will stare into the unknown, break apart the many sub genres of Metal, and challenge the limitations of an overpopulated music scene.

Ascent to Madness: https://youtu.be/OZKxtMHz62I

Hour of Obstinacy: https://youtu.be/Kf7BQd6rrLU