Berlin's THE OCEAN have returned with an extensive concept album called Precambrian. According to a press release, the double disc is the soundtrack to the beginning of evolution, subdivided into two successive geological eons (Hadean/Archean and Proterozoic). The songs are divided into five subordinate eras, with the song titles carrying the names of subordinate geological periods. Disc 1 features the typical The Ocean brutality while Disc 2 shows the deeper, more emotional side of what the collective also stands for.

Precambrian will be available as a deluxe digipack and was recorded in the band's own Oceanland studio as well as in Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Los Angeles and Seattle. Once again the incredible artwork was done by highly acclaimed artist Martin Kvamme (FANTOMAS, TOMAHAWK, PATTON/KAADA).

Mastermind Robin Staps about Precambrian: "Please try to absorb this album in its entirety - artwork, lyrics and music is one, and each song only unfurls its full meaning in the context of all other songs and art on the album. Precambrian is our stance against myspace-induced volatileness and transience, against the postmodern notion of music as unseizable data, against a perception of music in terms of how much space it takes up on your hard-drive... it is an album for people who still believe in the idea that an album can be more, and should be more, than the sum of its tracks."

Tracklist:

CD 1 - Hadean / Archean

I Hadean

'Hadean'

II Archean

'Eorchean', 'Paleoachean', 'Mesoarchean', 'Neoarchean'.

CD 2 - Proterozoic

III Palaeoproterozoic

'Siderian', 'Rhyacian', 'Orosirian', 'Statherian',

IV Mesoproterozoic

'Calymmian', 'Ectasian', 'Stenian',

V Neoproterozoic

'Tonian', 'Cryogenian'.

Precambrian runs 84 minutes in total, features guest appearances by Scofield (CAVE IN, ZOZOBA, OLD MAN GLOOM), Nate Newton (CONVERGE, DOOMRIDERS), Dwid Hellion (INTEGRITY), Tomas Hallbom (BREACH), Eric Kalsbeek (TEXTURES) as well as musicians of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and will be released on November 2nd (Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Italy) / November 5th (Europe) via Metal Blade Records.