FOGDIVER

"Fogdiver" is an EP release by German/multinational sludge/post hardcore/metal act The Ocean. The EP was released through Make My Day Records in June 2003. Unlike their 2001 "Islands/Tides" promo, "Fogdiver" is a fully instrumental effort. The EP features 5 tracks and a total playing time of 29:57 minutes.

The music on the EP is a mix of post rock and more heavy sludge metal/hardcore sections. If you´re familiar with The Ocean´s succeeding album releases, the material on the "Fogdiver" EP is actually surprisingly less heavy than what you might expect. I was reminded of Mogwai a couple of times during the playing time. There are still plenty of heavy parts featured on the EP though, so this is still a "metal" release.

The sound production is professional and relatively powerful, and overall suits the music well. No vocals in sludge/post hardcore/metal can be an obstacle to some people, but with "Fogdiver", The Ocean prove that instrumental sludge/post hardcore/metal can be highly entertaining and quite clever as well. They would not further pursue this style though as they would add raw vocals to their music on their debut full-length studio album "Fluxion (2004)". "Fogdiver" deserves a 3.5 star (70%) rating.