Oaks is a French trio that offers instrumental, granitic and elaborate Progressive and Post-Metal sounds. The debut album “Genesis Of the Abstract” was released on September 30, 2022 via Argonauta Records and contains 7 tracks. The album opens with the ambient sounds of “The Genesis” with dark atmospheres and modulations of sounds and effects that introduce us to the album with a narrating vocal. Heavy guitar riffs and solid drumming open “The Void,” which shows the band’s Prog and Post-Metal side. The guitar work is excellent, with well-executed and engaging riffs, as well as the tempo changes and deep, driving bass lines. The longest track on the album, “The Harmonist,” which runs over 10 minutes, starts with distorted sounds and a dark atmosphere. A track that slowly increases in intensity with excellent guitar work and a granitic rhythm section featuring a strong drum and bass combo. In the middle part, it takes on Doom-influenced and gloomy traits, and then with a change of tempo in the second part returns to Post-Metal sounds, offering excellent riffs and a fine guitar solo. A distorted guitar and a granitic rhythm section open “The Chasm,” a track with a strong impact, with deep bass lines and enriched by tempo changes. Good guitar work, always at the centre of the sound, with engaging riffs and textures that combine Prog and Post-Metal with the band’s personal touch. In the second half the intensity increases, concluding the song in a musical crescendo. Delicate guitar arpeggios characterise “The Dawn,” a one-minute interlude with dreamy features. “The Abstract” combines heavy guitar riffs and a granitic rhythm section, managing to deliver engaging melodies. Power, well-constructed tempo changes and excellent guitar work make the song engaging and elaborate. In the second half of the song, the atmospheres become darker and the sound takes on a more heavy character, offering solo guitar cues and concluding with the central theme of the song. Ambient sounds and electronic modulations return in the short “The Shape,” which reaches almost three minutes. The rhythm section moves slowly while being solid, and the song develops in a crescendo that increases in intensity as the minutes go by, evolving the central theme and layering the sounds. The album ends with the narrated vocal as in the opening track. A band that offers granitic and powerful sounds that are at the same time elaborate and rich in tempo changes and modulations. Well-constructed riffs, good guitar work and a rhythm section characterised by solid drumming and load-bearing bass lines. An excellent team effort where all three artists dialogue with their instruments to the best of their ability, creating an excellent, engaging and sophisticated sound. A recommended listen for lovers of the heavier sounds of Post-Metal with forays into Prog.
Purchase the album on Bandcamp: https://oaksbandfr.bandcamp.com/album/genesis-of-the-abstract
Tracklist
01. The Genesis
02. The Void
03. The Harmonist
04. The Chasm
05. The Dawn
06. The Abstract
07. The Shape
Lineup
Thibault L / Guitars
Julien V / Bass
Nathan RL / Drums