Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)

When a band dips their toe into metalcore/hardcore, it grabs our attention, so I could not help but jump at the opportunity to review the latest from Australian nu-metal band Ocean Grove. A favourite amongst many of readers and being an Aussie myself, I felt that it was my duty. So here it is. This is my thoughts on Ocean Grove’s latest album, ODDWORLD.

The opener, ‘OG FOREVER’ is a little intro track, giving us that grimey beat to lead us into the joyride that is ODDWORLD. Slipping nicely into ‘CELL DIVISION’ and hitting us with a break beat before thrusting upon us that old school nu-metal sound. A sound that Ocean Grove do so well. Dale Tanner’s vocals are so smooth throughout and immediately have me invested into this album.

As ‘FLY AWAY’ kicks in the, party really has begun. A throwback sound with a modern freshness, this song is one of those tracks that when they dropped it as a single, it was on repeat. For weeks. Scratching the brain in the best way and giving us that metalcore tinged nu-metal, it was a reintroduction to Ocean Grove. It is evident this is what they do best and we are so blessed to have them wanting to deliver it to us.

The next song, ‘STUNNER’ opens with a little Spanish style guitaring, leading you into the sultriness and groove of this one instantly. Hitting us with a heavy verse and slowly pulling us back into those hypnotic riffs. The drums are simple, but they are done with intent. Adding exactly what they need to. The beauty of this band is they can write songs that are not overly complex, but they are smart in construction. Every component is in just the right place, so the mastery is in the construction- not in the flashiness.

This vibe continues with ‘RAINDROP’. Also, one of the released singles, it is bordering on being an indie banger. You can picture it in a montage of an Aussie late 90’s-00’s coming of age movie. I’m picturing a van, a surf town and somebody with bleached tips. It has a looseness about it, that makes you want to blast the track and dance around your room in a fit of melancholy, to forget any sad feelings.

‘NO OFFENCE DETECTED’ is next, just a little interlude- working as the perfect segue into the upcoming vibe change that ‘MY DISASTER’ brings. While a lot of the previous tracks have a bit of cheeky joy, even in the melancholic sections, ‘MY DISASTER’ feels more laced with anger and frustration. Taking on the same style of songwriting, the aggression gives it a new life and direction. Sam Bassal’s drumming really shines on this track, giving us so many details in the fills. An overlooked component of nu-metal is often the lyrics, how it was a time when introspection and emotion started to come through heavy music and Ocean Grove nails this spectacularly. Thought-provoking, but in a way where the phrases stick in your brain and make it easy to sing-along too.

Changing the mood again is ‘LAST DANCE’, a beautiful ballad track that gives us hints of 90’s grunge, ala Smashing Pumpkins and other similar acts. Despite this, it is still very much Ocean Grove. I can see this popping up over the next few years at weddings of alternative couples- and rightfully so. It has that right blend of longing, romance and drama to it that you want to be associated with the feeling of ever after. Giving us that crescendo ending, it sonically sways, guided by the lyrics.

If somebody asked me what song on this album, I felt encapsulated Ocean Grove’s vibe and sound perfectly, it would be ‘SOWHAT1999’. Numetal riffs, break beats, the cheekiness of the lyrics, the heaviness of the chorus and the undeniable groove all the way through it. The 1999 in the title just feels so apt too, as it captures a mood and a vibe that was so present in music, especially in Australia, around that time.

The final track ‘OTP’ featuring Adult Art Club and Babylon, this is more the rap side of numetal. Sneaky samples in there give the song extra oomph, giving us Bomfunk MCs whiplash. It’s a fantastic way to end the album, and it flows seamlessly back into the opening, so before you know it- you’ve listened to ODDWORLD five times without batting an eye.

I’ve read other reviews on this album that have noted the experimentation and out there elements, and while I can see that if you are used to reviewing straight up metal and heavy music- it might feel that some of these elements are a little out of place- but as heavy music listener that also enjoys rap, hiphop and pop- it did not feel too out there for me. The straight up rap verses like in tracks like ‘OTP’ might feel a little jarring- but personally, I enjoyed those extra elements.

If anything, sometimes the tracks did feel a little repetitive, something I found having the album on constant repeat. I was not always able to distinguish where I was, but at the end of the day, Ocean Grove have nailed their sound. It is an easy listen, it is polished and I enjoyed every second.

8.5/10