Strength in numbers is not the only defining quality of the eight man collective that comprise The Ocean, for the brutish musical ability on display on "Aeolian" is also as unmerciful as they come. With keen attention paid to intricacy, the band take a dull razor and methodically slash away the body of work of the likes of Neurosis and Converge to its twisted bloody core, reveling fully in the carnage that ensues.

Droning ambiance and sludgy aggression are paired with animalistic noise in a way comparable to having molten tar poured directly into your ears. Assembled with enough complexity and overpowering grace to take on a monolithic quality, the band stray from the norm and avoid the expected slow lumbering pace. This in turn makes for mammoth walls of metal with razor sharp edges that test just how massive brutality can become before it topples over and crushes the listener.

Guest appearances from the throats of former Coalesce frontman Sean Ingram, Nate Newton of Converge/Old Man Gloom fame and Tomas Hallbom of Breach show just what pedigree this band walk alongside and their included performances make for nothing less than a violently torturous experience.

Still, with this much going on there can be a few dull moments and some muddled compositions. But with the the incessant focus on variation, complete with elements of jazz and even chants, this can generally be overlooked. With the passion of a serial killer, The Ocean have clearly laid out a vast body of work. All they need now are listeners brave (or sadistic) enough to jump on in.