About six years after a collaborative split with fellow Irish band Soothsayer — which followed their compelling debut ‘Follow Me Through Body’ (2016) — Irish post-metal/sludge duo Partholón return with their long-awaited second full-length, ‘The Ocean Pours In’, released on CD, cassette, and digital formats through Moment Of Collapse Records (Black Table, Cranial, Suffocate For Fuck Sake…), Fiadh Productions & Ripcord Records (Maridia).
The Ocean Pours In is more than just a follow-up — it’s a statement. Drawing influence from genre titans such as Cult of Luna, Neurosis, Isis, Fall of Efrafa, and Giant Squid or Mastodon, the album doesn’t merely echo the past; it transforms it, fusing legacy with innovation. The band’s sound embraces crushing heaviness and atmospheric restraint in equal measure — layered with maritime and mythological themes that feel deeply rooted in Irish history and folklore.
Opening track « Skin of the Beast » sets the tone with sparse, near-tribal drums and stark vocals that suddenly erupt into a dense, sludgy force. The band’s dual-vocal approach — a contrast of deep growls and higher-pitched screams — becomes a central dynamic, adding tension and depth throughout. « Gathered In Circles » follows with a brooding crawl of pulverizing riffs, while Pillars stands out as a towering anthem, blending doom-drenched melodies with chant-like refrains and blistering lead guitars.
Light Chamber shifts into a hypnotic, melancholic space, its subtle percussion and whispered vocals giving way to soaring crescendos. The closing track, « We Swallow the Ocean », inspired by the 1828 Mary Russell tragedy, weaves ambient textures, collective laments, and seafaring motifs into a cinematic finale. It’s a masterclass in dynamic contrast, ending on a haunting note of spoken word over sparse piano droplets.
Meticulously produced by Mikhail Kurochkin (Pwyll, Somn…), the album reveals its depth over time — layered with hidden sonic flourishes, haunting melodies, and evolving structures. Partholón embrace longform songwriting with purpose, delivering emotionally charged, thematically rich music that’s both heavy and human.
With The Ocean Pours In, Partholón don’t just return — they ascend. This is a record that rewards patience and deep listening, marking a profound and triumphant evolution for one of Ireland’s most compelling heavy acts.
