View source for Pelagial


{{use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Pelagial
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[The Ocean (band)|the Ocean]]
| cover      = TheOcean Pelagial.jpg
| alt        =
| released   = 26 April 2013
| recorded   = January 2012 – January 2013
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      =
*[[Progressive metal]]
*[[post-metal]]
*[[sludge metal]]
| length     = 53:13
| label      = [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]]
| producer   =
*Robin Staps
*[[Jens Bogren]]
| prev_title = [[Anthropocentric (album)|Anthropocentric]]
| prev_year  = 2010
| next_title = [[Phanerozoic I: Palaeozoic]]
| next_year  = 2018
}}
'''''Pelagial''''' is the sixth studio album by German [[post-metal]] band [[The Ocean (band)|the Ocean]]. It is a [[concept album]] with the track titles referencing, in descending fashion, the [[oceanic zone|oceanic depth zones]].  Musically, the concept is explored by sequencing the music such that it is increasingly dark and [[Claustrophobia|claustrophobic]] in emulation of the diminishing light and increasing pressure that comes with oceanic descent.  The album was initially conceived as an [[instrumental]] release, although vocals were subsequently added; the band has made both versions available.
''Pelagial'' was released in Germany on 26 April 2013, in Europe on 29 April, and in North America on 30 April. The album entered the German Album Chart at No. 68 and is the band's first charting album.<ref name=hitparade>{{cite web|title=The Ocean - Pelagial|url=http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=The+Ocean&titel=Pelagial&cat=a|website=hitparade.ch|publisher=Hung Medien|accessdate=9 May 2013}}</ref>
==Concept==
''Pelagial'' was written as a single piece of music in order to fit the concept of a journey through the depth zones of the ocean.<ref name=Assault>{{cite web|title=The Ocean Guitarist Robin Staps Delves Deep Into ''Pelagial'' |last=Bansal|first=Andrew|url=http://metalassault.com/Interviews/2013/04/12/the-ocean-guitarist-robin-staps-delves-deep-into-pelagial/|website=metalassault.com|accessdate=19 May 2013|date=12 April 2013}}</ref> However, according to Staps, it was separated into 11 tracks to "make certain sections accessible".<ref name=Assault />  The concept was further elaborated musically through the use of samples from old [[submarine]] movies, which The Ocean used to imbue the songs with a similar "claustrophobic atmosphere".<ref name=Assault />  Staps, referencing the German film ''[[Das Boot]]'' as exemplary of the genre, said of the old submarine movies:
{{quote|1="They all play with the same elements of claustrophobia and there's always the same plot happening, basically the submarine diving a little deeper than they're allowed to, all the creaking and crackling and the water coming in and leaking into the submarine shell. The water bumps and people are sitting there in tension and hoping not to get hit. This kind of atmosphere was something I really wanted to create with this album for the deeper parts of the journey... It was only an obvious step to decide to use those original samples to underline and enhance the atmosphere... There is a lot of bubbling, lots of background underwater sounds that are partially taken from movies and partially from other sources."<ref name=Assault />}}
Staps described the sampling technique used on ''Pelagial'' as "very [[Subliminal stimuli|subliminal]]" and suggested that the instrumental version of the album will make the samples more apparent due to the absence of vocals and the alternate mix.<ref name=Assault />
The lyrics are inspired by and make reference to Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 science fiction film [[Stalker (1979 film)|Stalker]].<ref name=metalsucks>{{cite web|last=Mustein|first=Dave|title=The Ocean Collective Explore Every Imaginable Zone With ''Pelagial''|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2013/04/08/the-ocean-collective-explore-every-imaginable-zone-with-pelagial/|date=8 April 2013|website=metalsucks.net|accessdate=9 May 2013}}</ref>
==Vocals==
''Pelagial'' was initially conceived as an instrumental album.  Robin Staps explained in September 2012, while the album was still under development, that ''Pelagial'' would be largely or entirely instrumental. "The reasons are manifold, but there simply is no space on this album, both from a musical as well as from a conceptual point of view, for lyrics and vocals. Loïc [Rossetti] is going to continue to be our vocalist, but the time is now right for instrumental metal. We need more of this."<ref name=MetalSucks>{{cite web|last=Neilstein|first=Vince|title=Are Metal Vocalists Irrelevant? The Ocean's Robin Staps and Ikillya's Jason Lekberg Respond|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/09/04/are-metal-vocalists-irrelevant-the-oceans-robin-staps-and-ikillyas-jason-lekberg-respond/#more-101504|website=metalsucks.net|accessdate=18 May 2013|date=4 September 2012}}</ref>
Subsequent to the band recording the instrumental album, it was announced that Rossetti had recently recovered from a disorder affecting his voice and would indeed contribute vocals to ''Pelagial''.<ref name=Plattentests.de>{{Cite web|url=http://plattentests.de/rezi.php?show=10265|title=The Ocean - Pelagial - Plattentests.de-Rezension}}</ref>  Some editions of the album include a second disc featuring the all-instrumental version of ''Pelagial'' with an alternate mix. Guitarist Jona Nido later explained the band's reversal: "Loïc is the frontman of this band and we all felt that The Ocean and this album needed him... I'm glad we decided to record vocals in the end, because it really adds a new dimension to the album that was not there before."<ref name=TOC.com /> Staps later said that Rossetti's vocal health was "part of the reason we decided to have it instrumental originally".<ref name=Assault />  He confirmed that part of the logic for releasing both the vocal and instrumental versions of the album was that the band can shift to an instrumental configuration for live performances if Rossetti's health problems return.<ref name=Assault />
==Video==
The limited edition version of ''Pelagial'' comes with a DVD movie made by Craig Murray, which Staps described as "basically a massive video clip."<ref name="Guitar World">{{cite web|last=Bansal|first=Andrew|title=Interview: The Ocean Guitarist Robin Staps Discusses New Album, 'Pelagial'|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-ocean-guitarist-robin-staps-discusses-new-album-pelagial|work=[[Guitar World]]|publisher=NewBay Media|accessdate=19 May 2013|date=26 April 2013}}</ref> The video was designed to enhance the experience of the [[Dolby Digital|Dolby 5.1 surround sound]] mix included with the limited edition version.<ref name="Guitar World" />  The movie, which will also be incorporated into the visuals for the band's live show, features a female protagonist who embodies the psychological aspects of the lyrics for ''Pelagial''.<ref name="Guitar World" />
==Reception==
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[About.com]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name=about>{{cite web|last=Banchs|first=Edward|title=The Ocean - Pelagial Review|url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/oceanthe/fr/The-Ocean-Pelagial-Review.htm|website=heavymetal.about.com|accessdate=10 May 2013|archive-date=3 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503114214/http://heavymetal.about.com/od/oceanthe/fr/The-Ocean-Pelagial-Review.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev2 = [http://axisofmetal.com/ Axis of Metal]
|rev2score = {{Rating|10|10}}<ref name=axis>{{cite web|last=Bawden |first=Thomas |title=The Ocean – Pelagial – Review |url=http://axisofmetal.com/2013/04/the-ocean-pelagial-review/ |website=axisofmetal.com |accessdate=10 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507081855/http://axisofmetal.com/2013/04/the-ocean-pelagial-review/ |archivedate=7 May 2013 }}</ref>
|rev3 = [[Blabbermouth.net]]
|rev3score = {{Rating|9.5|10}}<ref name=Blab>{{cite web|last=van Horn Jr.|first=Ray|title=The Ocean: Pelagial (Metal Blade)|date=15 May 2013|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=2555|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|accessdate=26 May 2013}}</ref>
|rev4 = [[CraveOnline]]
|rev4score = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name=crave>{{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Iann|title=Review: The Ocean 'Pelagial'|url=http://www.craveonline.com/music/reviews/479231-review-the-ocean-pelagial|website=craveonline.com|publisher=Crave Online Media|accessdate=9 May 2013|date=11 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414080702/http://www.craveonline.com/music/reviews/479231-review-the-ocean-pelagial|archive-date=14 April 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Decibel (magazine)|Decibel]]''
|rev5score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name=Decibel>{{cite journal|last=Stewart-Panko|first=Kevin|title=The Ocean, Pelagial|journal=[[Decibel Magazine]]|date=June 2013|issue=104|page=99}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[Exclaim!]]''
|rev6score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name=exclaim>{{cite web|last=Ayers|first=Chris|title=The Ocean Pelagial|url=http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/ocean-pelagial|website=exclaim.ca|accessdate=10 May 2013}}</ref>
|rev7 = [http://www.jukeboxmetal.com/2013/the-ocean-pelagial/ Jukebox:Metal]
|rev7score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=jukeboxmetal>{{cite web|author=Chris Poling|title=Jukebox:Metal review|url=http://www.jukeboxmetal.com/2013/the-ocean-pelagial/}}</ref>
|rev8 = [[MetalSucks]]
|rev8score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name=metalsucks>{{cite web|last=Mustein|first=Dave|title=The Ocean Collective Explore Every Imaginable Zone With ''Pelagial''|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2013/04/08/the-ocean-collective-explore-every-imaginable-zone-with-pelagial/|date=8 April 2013|website=metalsucks.net|accessdate=9 May 2013}}</ref>
|rev9 = The Monolith
|rev9score = {{Rating|9.5|10|score=9.4/10 stars}}<ref name=monolith>{{cite web|title=The Ocean - Pelagial (Vocal)|url=http://www.themonolith.com/featured/the-ocean-pelagial-vocal/|website=themonolith.com|accessdate=9 May 2013}}</ref>
|rev10 = [http://www.muzikdizcovery.com Muzik Dizcovery]
|rev10score = (A)<ref name=muzik>{{cite web|url=http://www.muzikdizcovery.com/2013/05/album-review-ocean-pelagial.html |title=The Ocean - Pelagial |last=Newton |first=Alex |publisher=Muzik Dizcovery |date=2013-05-11 |accessdate=2013-05-01}}</ref>
|rev11 = [http://www.scratchthesurface-webzine.com/ Scratch the Surface]
|rev11score = {{Rating|8.5|10}}<ref name=scratch>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Dean |title=The Ocean - Pelagial {{!}} Review |url=http://www.scratchthesurface-webzine.com/2013/04/the-ocean-pelagial-review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508235411/http://www.scratchthesurface-webzine.com/2013/04/the-ocean-pelagial-review.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 May 2013 |website=scratchthesurface-webzine.com |accessdate=10 May 2013 }}</ref>
|rev12 = Sputnikmusic
|rev12score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=sputnik>{{cite web|last=Gerhart|first=Thompson D.|title=The Ocean Pelagial|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/56533/The-Ocean-Pelagial/|website=sputnikmusic.com|accessdate=10 May 2013}}</ref>
|rev13 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev13Score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/pelagial-mw0002499710 | title=Pelagial - The Ocean | work=[[AllMusic]] | accessdate=2013-06-27 | author=Jurek, Thom}}</ref>
}}
''Pelagial'' has received almost universal acclaim, with [[About.com]] describing it as "a stunning collection of ideas and emotions"<ref name=about /> and [http://axisofmetal.com/ Axis of Metal] predicting that it would be a contender for album of the year in 2013.<ref name=axis />  [http://www.themonolith.com/ The Monolith] added that the album represented a marked progression from the band's previous releases, ''[[Heliocentric (The Ocean Collective album)|Heliocentric]]'' and ''[[Anthropocentric (album)|Anthropocentric]]''.<ref name=monolith />
However, the album has also garnered some criticism.  [http://www.craveonline.com/ CraveOnline.com] described the album as lacking in soul and incapable of making an emotional connection with the listener.<ref name=crave />  [[Blabbermouth]] took a contrary position and described the album as an "emotional leviathan".<ref name=Blab />  Some publications wrote of a disjunction between the vocals and the instruments due to the nature of the recording.<ref name=muzik /><ref name=PRP>{{cite web|author=wookubus|title=The Ocean – Pelagial|url=http://www.theprp.com/2013/04/29/reviews/the-ocean-pelagial/|website=theprp.com|date=30 April 2013|accessdate=18 May 2013}}</ref> [http://www.scratchthesurface-webzine.com/ Scratch the Surface] praised the band's decision to include both the vocal and instrumental versions of the album so as to offer both experiences to the audience.<ref name=scratch />
==Track listing==
{{tracklist
| all_music= Robin Staps
| all_lyrics= Robin Staps
| total_length = 52:13
| title1  =  [[Pelagic zone#Epipelagic (sunlight)|Epipelagic]]
| length1 =  1:12
| title2  =  [[Pelagic zone#Mesopelagic (twilight)|Mesopelagic]]: Into the Uncanny
| length2 =  5:56
| title3  =  [[Pelagic zone#Bathypelagic (midnight)|Bathyalpelagic]] I: Impasses
| length3 =  4:24
| title4  =  Bathyalpelagic II: The Wish in Dreams
| length4 =  3:18
| title5  =  Bathyalpelagic III: Disequilibrated
| length5 =  4:27
| title6  =  [[Pelagic zone#Abyssopelagic (abyssal zone)|Abyssopelagic]] I: Boundless Vasts
| length6 =  3:27
| title7  =  Abyssopelagic II: Signals of Anxiety
| length7 =  5:05
| title8  =  [[Pelagic zone#Hadopelagic (hadal zone)|Hadopelagic]] I: Omen of the Deep
| length8 =  1:07
| title9  =  Hadopelagic II: Let Them Believe
| length9 =  9:17
| title10  =  [[Demersal zone|Demersal]]: Cognitive Dissonance
| length10 =  9:05
| title11  =  [[Benthic zone|Benthic]]: The Origin of Our Wishes
| length11 =  5:55
}}
==Personnel==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Band===
* Louis Jucker &ndash; bass
* Chris Breuer &ndash; bass
* Luc Hess &ndash; drums
* Jona Nido &ndash; guitars
* Robin Staps &ndash; guitars, samples
* Loïc Rossetti &ndash; vocals
===Guest and Studio Musicians===
* Vincent Membrez &ndash; keyboards
* Tomas Hallbom - guest vocals on "Bathyalpelagic III: Disequilibrated" and "Demersal: Cognitive Dissonance"
* Mitch Hertz - guitar solo on "Bathyalpelagic III: Disequilibrated"
* Philippe Glandien - additional strings, piano arrangements, and scores
* Regula Schwab - violin
* Isabella Gottraux - viola
* Catherine Vay - cello
{{col-2}}
===Production===
* [[Jens Bogren]] - mastering, mixing, production
* Robin Staps - production
===Art===
* [[Seldon Hunt]] - design for limited edition [[digipak]] and gatefold vinyl versions
* Martin Kvamme - design for regular CD and vinyl box set versions
* Marcel Schulz - design for booklet
* Craig Murray - photography and film
* Robin Staps - photography
* Arielle De Lucy - model for art and film
{{col-end}}
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{The Ocean}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2013 albums]]
[[Category:The Ocean (band) albums]]
[[Category:Metal Blade Records albums]]
[[Category:2010s concept albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Jens Bogren]]