Review by Tomek on February 13, 2013.

As saying goes: picture is worth a thousand words. If that is the case, I could post a picture or three here and move on, but then pictures can be interpreted differently and the whole thing would be pointless. I guess I have to write words. This is my first meeting with Oceans Of Night, and I have to say that pleasure is all mine. With their album “Domain” they’ve created something that kept me away from many other discs. Heck! I have to say that whenever I wanted to start writing, their music made my mind drift someplace and wander there for hours at a time. Scary thing.

To introduce the conspirators - we have Scott Mosher on guitar, bass and keyboards (composed, arranged, performed and recorded), Scott Oliva on vocals, and Alan Smithee on drums and percussion. If I had to mention some names to point you in a direction of what kind of music we deal with here, I would have to say that if you combine guitar work and atmosphere of Pink Floyd, progressive technicality of Porcupine Tree with guitar power of Dream Theater, you would have some of the ingredients. Scott Mosher found a perfect way to take all the right elements from those bands and balance it all with the addition of his own progressive twist on modern metal. All of the bands mentioned above got us used to recording being sharp, innovative and clear, Oceans Of Night is no different. Guitar sound is sharp and futuristic; bass rhythmically hammering melodies, drumming is a heartbeat of an adventure, vocal spellbinding and narrating the venture, and keyboards being in the spotlight, leading the way or complimenting the guitars.

Keyboard plays a humongous role on this album, and combined with the guitar, bass and vocals they create an unbelievable atmosphere and an emotion that just takes you away into someplace in your mind. It feels like guitar is the engine, keys is the fuel and combined together they are the vehicle that can take you away on the ride. It feels like hypnotizing voice of Scott Oliva is being a catalyst that gets you going on a long trip with drums and bass creating a rumble of machinery that takes you there. Every time I listened to this album I felt like I’m going someplace, like I’m leaving my place to experience something new and unexpected. Every time I said to myself to stay put, I had an idea of how to write about it but as soon as the album starts and before I had a chance to start writing - I was already on a journey. Preparing to write about the album was like making notes of a dream from last night, when you are trying to remember all of it before it goes away. I had to make notes after every listen to remember at least some of the stuff I wanted to say about it and how I felt.

Even with the notes I’ve made there isn’t much more I can say to introduce or interest you in “Domain” by Oceans Of Night. Get the album and give it a try, but understand that there are two things that can happen. If you can turn your imagination off the album will be full of gripping guitar work, dazzling solos, captivating vocals, exciting bass lines and genuine drumming but if you can keep it on, if you can sit down and let it, it will be inspiring, fascinating, and stimulating and will grab you from the start. I feel like I’ve traveled many places, discovered great many things, seen past or future, journeyed universes and beyond many times over, and here is what I have to say: it is time for you to try!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 9
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10