Anthropocentricby The Ocean

The Ocean have history of releasing only double albums, and in 2010 released both "Heliocentric" and "Anthropocentric" as companion pieces within 6 months of each other. While "Heliocentric" was the more mild of the two, it was also less satisfying than the counterpart "Anthropocentric". This album opens with the title track, which is an excellent choice as an album starter as it begins with a roar but continues on with complex polyrhythms, lovely sung vocals, and long ambient sections that keep echoing "they refuse to leave a ship that is sinking". While remaining atmospheric throughout the album, "Anthropocentric" again has The Ocean's hardest hitting songs--"Heaven TV" and "She Was The Universe" are by far the most energetic tunes The Ocean have put out in years. The highlight of the album is the 3-part "Grand Inquisitor" suite--which talks about many theological issues and explores every aspect of the sound that one would associate with The Ocean. It's definitely the best half of the Heliocentric/Anthropocentric double album, and one of the strongest metal albums of 2010. Recommended without hesitation.