Occult Hand Order — Silence from the Raging Sea

Occult Hand Order
Silence from the Raging Sea
(Self-Released)

So many emotions flow through this new album by French trio Occult Hand Order that I am amazed just how this album unravels. Silence from the Raging Sea is something you have to experience to really gauge its full effect. And by the time you get comfortable, they make it uncomfortable. From dynamics to sonics to precision, these songs carry weight.

The album starts out in psychedelic splendor. “Sink” is not some Laurel Canyon psych rock, it’s more like psych mantra barreling through the universe with a heavy dose of power. And it’s loud. Especially on “Sailors.” It’s done so tastefully that it straddles the line of post rock and doom metal. The uneasiness of bass strings being plucked like a professional thief  picking a lock. Vocalist Hugo Zepah sounds like he is trying to speak to the dead. The song gets louder until power chords crash into precision percussive timekeeping. Then it just keeps getting louder that you cannot not pay attention until it explodes into acid rock instrumental madness. 

On the other end of the spectrum, “Fever” sounds like the haunting cries inside a monastery until the supernatural plays into utter layers of noise only to bring it back down with a new perspective. Listen to it and “Pyre.” And then listen to it again. And again.

My mind is absolutely blown, this band has taken off!