Into the Ocean - Ruins
Record Label: Unsigned
Release Date: April 2009
Fusing genres has become common practice in the modern music scene, and its product is often cliché and recycled garbage. Not deterred by this, Toowoomba, Australia, post-hardcore/electronic quintet Into the Ocean push the boundaries with their debut EP, Ruins. The optimistic release dodges clichés and delivers an exciting, bold, and ever-changing sound which keeps the listener engrossed throughout.
Opening with a simple track, “Migration” displays the many facets of vocalists Lachlan Malone and Chris White. The two sing, whine and growl to great effect, making what would usually sound unpleasant a delight. The diversity the two bring is a defining part of Into the Ocean’s sound, tying together their genre-mashing EP.
“Idiots of Noise” brings with it an industrial vibe, and is the real introduction to the electronic side of Into the Ocean. The sampled opening builds itself to sound like a dance beat, only to evolve into an upbeat onslaught of catchy hard rock. The vocalists entwine their different styles seamlessly throughout Ruins, and it’s particularly noticeable here.
Heading back into a post-hardcore sound, “Doom” is an ambitious, chaotic track, and arguably the most impressive song from Ruins. The vocals carry an anxiety and earnestness not often heard, desperation creeping into the vocals after a series of terrifying bass riffs. “Doom” closes with an epic, apocalyptic feeling, the chaos of guitars and crashing cymbals engulfing the defiant vocals, leaving only distant, painful screaming.
The EP creeps back and forward in this pattern, mixing heavily electronic tracks between the harder hitting post-hardcore, and every now and again mixing the two to create their unique sound. “Atlanta Fugien” is one such track that depicts Into the Ocean’s style perfectly. The song jumps from danceable electronic to a death metal growl, from post-hardcore whines to heavy metal guitar solos, making it seem ridiculous that these genres were ever separated as they seamlessly bounce from one to the other.
If Ruins is anything to judge by, Into the Ocean will be here to stay. If genre-mashing is the way of the future, at least let it be done right.
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