Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Hadean
2. Eoarchaean
3. Palaeoarchaean
4. Mesoarchaean
5. Neoarchaean

Disc 2:

1. Siderian
2. Rhyacian
3. Orosirian
4. Statherian
5. Calymmian
6. Ectasian
7. Stenian
8. Tonian
9. Cryogenian

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #125547 in Music
• Released on: 2007-11-27
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .28 pounds

Customer Reviews

The Earliest Time Concept: Performed By The Ocean
Remember when "FluXion" and "Aeolian" were first meant to be released as a double album, yet it ended up that they were released as two separate albums, yet people didn't mind? Well, two years after "Aeolian", we have "Precambrian", a concept double album based around the earliest known times from thousands of millions of years ago, yet described in abstract form to make things less obvious.

The first disc, known as "Hadean/Archean" can easily be called an EP, as it clocks in at 22 minutes. These songs are in an aggressive style for the band, with its share of polyrhythmic structures and everything usually has the pace picked up. It gets you ready for the second disc, which they call "Proterozoic". This is definitely the superior disc, not just because of length, but because everything is executed so flawlessly by a large soundscape of crushing guitars, violins, piano, drums, and other various forms of percussion, including the xylophone and the chimes. Each song is written is a beautiful and structured matter, yet it retains that aggression that "Hadean/Archean" had you pumped up with.

If you want to listen to this album in the best way, play it from beginning to end. This isn't an album meant for shuffle, or an album with any singles on it, it's a breathtaking concept album with a very dynamic performance.

Not your typical Euro Metal
First off, I don't give 5 star reviews as they suggest that something is perfect and that is never the case. That being said, this IS one hell of an album. I love bands that are able to incorporate many styles into their music. On this release The Ocean show us that they are very capable of doing just that. This is definitely worth a listen for folks who enjoy diversity in their metal. It has many softer more melodic passages as well as the crushing heaviness you would expect from these guys. If you are into album artwork then I would recommend finding the European version as the band themselves have stated that the artwork on the US version has been severely compromised. I own the EU version myself and really dig the packaging and artwork. If you enjoy this band I would also recommend checking out Enslaved. Originally Black Metal, in recent years they have gone in a more progressive direction.

Living up to a name
With a name like "The Ocean" and a catalog to date that playfully crosses the borders between heaven and hell, there was a certain amount of anticipation for this release - especially considering the brutality of their last album which had many fans concerned for the future of a progressive giant.

Fear not. In short, The Ocean prove here that their inspiration is as vast and unrelenting as the origin of their name.