Ok not really, but hey, it sounded good in my head. So how did this musical adventure begin? What was the catalyst? Who in their right mind would do such a thing? Allow me to pass the dictation over to my trusty PR agent... if I can find where I left them....
Oceans of Night, as the enigmatic and mysterious name might suggest, is an ambient progressive metal band formed by multi-instrumentalist Scott Mosher in 2008, featuring evocative vocal melodies and dynamic guitar work, served with a distinct ambient flavor. With a modern sonic punch and cinematic flair, each Oceans of Night release is a dramatic musical experience that demands your undivided attention. Oceans of Night have 4 CDs currently in circulation: Mindstorm (2024), Midnight Rising (2014), Domain (2011) and The Shadowheart Mirror (2009) - as well as 4 other CDs released eponymously under Scott Mosher as a solo artist. They are forging a brave new path in the world of progressive metal music, synthesizing different musical styles into a intriguing yet modern hybrid.
Now, let's engage the Continuum Transfunctioner in conjunction with the Time Flux Capacitor and dig back a little further in time...
Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Scott Mosher began his recording career with various cassette releases in the 1990s covering quite a bit of musical territory, from thrash metal through funk rock to electronic new age music. His first CD release, AMBIENT EARTH (1996) was an journey into the world of electronic soundscapes, rich in synth melodies and tribal percussion, interspersed with guitar and exotic instrumentation throughout its expansive 75-minute running time.
Following that release with VIRTUALITY, the first 'official' CD in the ouvre,this CD merges the worlds of techno-trance, ambient, new-age and cinematic rock in a contemporary fusion of neo-progressive song structures. the thematic soundscapes of VIRTUALITY forge a dramatic and atmospheric listening experience without genre-specific constraints while attaining a dynamic rarely heard in the corporate musical climate, running the gamut from dreamy and introspective musical interludes, through haunting and ominous sound paintings into the realm of an intense rhythmic listening experience. Featuring the vocal talents (solo guitar work) of Todd Corsa, VIRTUALITY (recorded and engineered by Mickey James (Criss Angel, Earth Eats Dog)), sets the stage for the music career that Scott continues to mine to this day.
INFERNO, released in 2004, expands upon the synthesis of heavy progressive rock and ambient textured soundscapes established on VIRTUALITY and delves further into the worlds of hauntingly melodic and dark evocative music. With a stronger emphasis on vocal arrangements, guitar-based dynamics and dramatic song structures - and employs even MORE expansive vocals and guitar work from Todd Corsa, and was similarly recorded and mixed by Mickey James - INFERNO makes a bold statement as the next step in artistic evolution... and fits all head sizes.
The 4th CD from Scott Mosher, DEEP HORIZON, marked the ending of an era, and new beginnings as this is the last release as a 'solo' artist. DEEP HORIZON, like previous releases, is built upon a strong foundation crushing guitar tones, ambient keyboard sounds, and memorable vocal melodies. This dynamic and ambitious musical journey continues Moshers path of synthesizing a diverse range of musical influences under the banner of contemporary progressive metal. The heaviest record released by Mosher to date, DEEP HORIZON also features the first appearance of the versatile and powerful vocal talents of vocalist extraordinaire, Scott Oliva (Wind Wraith, Live After Death, Inner Strength, Last Vision Black, Driven) and a guest appearance by frequent musical collaborator, Todd Corsa, on guitar on 2 tracks.
Now here's where things get a bit more interesting...
2009 brought us the debut Oceans of Night CD, THE SHADOWHEART MIRROR. Rising from the ashes of the eponymous solo band lead by musical mastermind Scott Mosher, from 1996 through 2004. Oceans of Night bridges the worlds of progressive metal, melodic hard rock and ambient music to create an experimental yet complimentary style of music that is at once as subtle as it is powerful, aggressive as it is dynamic and timeless as it is modern. Once again Consisting of musical mastermind Scott Mosher and vocal powerhouse Scott Oliva, THE SHADOWHEART MIRROR is equal parts progressive metal and modern rock served with a distinct ambient flavor, this is a definitive dark, haunting and cinematic musical statement that resonates with emotional impact.
DOMAIN - arriving on shores in 2011, is the second CD release from progressive metal band, Oceans of Night and the first mixed and engineered by Joey Vera (Fates Warning, Armored Saint, Engine) As always, DOMAIN features a refined focus on the staples of the Oceans of Night sound: soaring vocal melodies, evocative guitar solos, sophisticated rhythm structures, and dynamic song arrangements wrapped in a tapestry of percolating ambience. Epic and cutting edge, DOMAIN featured music that resonated with power and ambition, and made a bold and powerful statement.
Following a 3 year hiatus, 2014 brought forth MIDNIGHT RISING, the 3rd Oceans of Night CD (and Mosher's 7th overall) Dynamic, evocative and powerful, MIDNIGHT RISING is a continuation of the ambient metal style long established on previous releases since VIRTUALITY and through DOMAIN, and once again mixed/mastered by Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning, Engine), showcases some of Scott Oliva's best vocal performances to date. MIDNIGHT RISING also features guest appearances by Vivien Lalu (Lalu, Shadrane, Hubi Meisel), Chris Rifkin (EF5, Eye of the Storm) and the melodious vocals of Stephanie Warren on the favorite 'Reach Me'. With over an hour of music that pushes boundaries and bridges worlds, Oceans of Night remain dedicated to exploring the sonic limits of metal music by any means necessary.
Here we are in 2024 - 10 years later, and Oceans of Night have now just released their new CD, MINDSTORM. Engineered and mastered by Eric 'the other Niceguy' Stolz, this release features music that affirms and builds upon what has come before... and continues along the path of the same atmospheric-laden progressive metal that has been established as its foundation. Perhaps heavier, certainly more progressive, but just as impactful and very possibly, even more dynamic. Continuing to evolve and progress with the addition of new vocalists Derosnec, April Rach, and Pablo Zuccalá, joining stalwart vocalist Scott Oliva, and a special guest appearance by keyboardist extraordinaire Vivien Lalu. As you prepare yourselves for a sonic journey in to the deeper realms of ambient progressive metal, and on the edge of a confluence of musical styles, you will be reminded that, at its core, Oceans of night is a progressive metal band.
OK, wow... well, that's it. If you are still awake after all that, you will be quized. And rewarded with instant karma in the grocery store. Gracias!
