Terra Atlantica – Oceans | Progressive Rock Central.com

Terra Atlantica, a Germany based metal symphonic band will release their latest album, Oceans on September 26th, on Scarlet Records. As a fellow lover of the seas, this album was gonna be a natural choice for me, especially with its prog and metal sounds mixed so well.

According to their press release: Oceans, is the continuation of Terra Atlantica’s success recipe: classical power metal combined with epic orchestrations and adventurous vibes. With this new record the German band takes listeners on a voyage across the seven seas, a musical expedition into unknown worlds filled with secrets, ancient legends, and new horizons. Like a pirate ship firing a full broadside, the album delivers hit after hit! Powerful riffs, exotic rhythms, cinematic/atmospheric sounds, and soaring choruses that demand to be performed live with the energy of a storm. More than just music, Oceans is an immersive experience – an invitation to set sail on a mighty voyage, uniting fans in a shared quest for legend and glory. The lyrics explore themes of discovery, betrayal, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit. It’s a story of explorers, lost civilizations, and the eternal search for truth buried beneath the waves! Get ready to navigate turbulent waters and serene depths alike.”

Terra Atlantica is made up of members: Tristan Harders, on lead vocals and guitar; Julian Prüfer, on bass; Dave Wieczorek, on lead guitars and backing vocals; and Nico Hauschildt – on drums and backing vocals.

Terra Atlantica – photograph by Thomas Jankowski.

“Ocean Fever,” opens with beautiful piano notes and the sound of the sea. Then, Tristan Harders speaks the following: ‘I shall return to the sea once more. For the winds so wild and ascending tides. Call my name with relentless roar. And when the sails are raised above. Moonlight guides my lonely path. I shall return to the sea. Until I’ve reached my destiny!” The soundscape fills with pirate like symphonic orchestration and sound. A brilliant opener, that lights the cannon fire well.

“Back To The Sea,” is an anthem of the sea for pirates and seamen. Tristan Harders sings with bold vocals, “Over and over the albatross flies to the shore. Serving as herald of peace in the shadows of war. Nations are falling one after one. Ruled by tyrant lords. Gather your comrades rally the cause. Time to raise the sword. Lost in the haze. Atlantica’s dwelling in exile. Kept to themselves as the wars of the world all arose. Centuries passed the verdict revoked. Now we break our bonds. Fire the engines ready the guns. Everyone on board! Back to the sea. Oceans are calling. Ride on the north wind and reach for the sky!” An anthem of oceanic freedom, filled with pounding drums, bass, orchestration, and electric guitars. An exciting oceanic rocker that will capture your imagination.

“Hoist The Sail,” is another wonderful pirate anthem, set to the rhythm of a jig. It is full of orchestration, drums, flutes, electric guitars, choirs, and keys. Tristan Harders sings, “There’s gold within the riverbanks. And mountains overseas. Far away. The trees are bright and emerald. And amber are the fields. Far away. The wind and the seagulls are calling. Rise with the dawn of the tide. Gather your men and raise the anchor. Strike when the time is right. Hoist the sail to the darkened horizon. Break away to the other side. So far are the lands of the unknown. And so many battles to fight. Hoist the sail when the storm is arising. Break away to a newborn day. For our force to prevail You have to hoist the sail!” From the Vikings to the pirates of the 17^th and 18^th Centuries; songs and stories of conquest that dominated the globe. The synthesizers, flute solo and the choirs really set this band far apart of others in the genre. You can tell these guys are having fun. Their music is more affable with less evil protruding. It is the music of bars and pubs, not metal stages.

“Caribbean Shores,” opens with soft acoustic guitar and dreamy Caribbean rhythms, before the drums, electric guitar, bass, and metal sounds take over the soundstage. Tristan Harders sings, “Cold is the night on the way to Aruba. Oceans are stirring beneath. Try to get lost on the straits of Bermuda. Another wreckage to heave. Silent suffocation battle of the nations. Avarice and vanity. War and devastation, total occupation. Fly me away from it all. On the quest for an island embraced by the sun. We escape from the shadows of war. With a handful of gold and a chest full of hope. We arrive at the Caribbean shores. Lie on the coast till the days fade into night!” They add what sounds like marimbas and Caribbean sounds and you begin to head off to dreamland. They fill the air with choir cheers, and on we go! Sounds of the jungle and sweet horns fill the air. This is what we all want. Fun oceans of dreams music!

“Turn Of The Tide,” opens with power drums, running electric guitar, bass and fleet-winded orchestration. Tristan Harders sings, “Eye of the storm. Brace yourselves for the onslaught. Leading the way to take them into the shelter again. Chaos unfolds. Sailors die in the crossfire. Taking the chance. To break away in the turmoil and smoke. Making my way to the portside. The Narwhal is waiting at hand. Most of our forces defeated. Time to take a stand. Turn of the tide. Feel the power at the turn of the tide. Final hour striking. Now and the end is nigh. All of our people will die!” A metal battlefield fight song!

“Through The Water And The Waves,” continues the galloping metal soundscape. I also sense a little influence from early Abney Park albums, (a Seattle-based steampunk band). Tristan Harders sings, “Rise from the waves. Protect the brave. The captain’s word is calling. We’re rolling out to sea. We must protect the realm from enemies. From the land beyond the passage of the northern sun. Comes a devastating menacing fleet. Atlantica’s imperiled with defeat. In the heart of the ocean sleeping deep there’s a god with an ancient force. By the chant of the sacred rite awakened. We’re bringing him forth. Rise from the waves. Protect the brave. Through the water and the waves. Lord of the sea. Your destiny. Will forever be engraved. In the water and the waves!” Another fast-paced war/battle song. This one is full of more lead guitar soloing, great bass, and seafaring orchestration.

“Where My Brothers Await,” is one of the best songs on the album. It opens quietly with acoustic guitar and the sound of the waves of the ocean. The perfect remembrance song, filled with heart-felt emotion. Tristan Harders sings, “A sailor once sailed to the end of the world. So far away from the shore. In search for the land where his brothers had gone. And none were seen anymore. So many I’ve seen pass before me. So many have vanished and died. And no beacon has shown us. The passage unknown. At the end of the night. From the north to the south of the sea. Where my brothers are waiting for me. I will enter the void when my vessel’s destroyed. And hand in my name to the lore. I’ll be coming back home no more.” Accordions, acoustic guitar, woodwinds, orchestration, and choirs of sailors singing. You feel as though you might as well start singing with them.

“Land Of Submarines,” is a fast-moving song, full of drums, bass and orchestration. Tristan Harders sings, “Land of Submarines. The time is running low. And so I have to go. Descend to a kingdom so deep. Into the dark we ride. Fast like a shark we strike. Destroying the enemy fleet. Diving deeper sinking further. Reaching out to find the secret shores. Deeper diving deeper to the land of submarines. Descend into the waves and leave your worried mind at ease. Down in the black our hopes coming back. Relentless we rise-up once more. From the land of submarines!”

“Raven In The Dark,” opens slowly with sad strings and flute. Tristan Harders sings, to acoustic guitar accompaniment, “Don’t you tell me. Words gonna go unwell me. Why do you stand in tears. Clouds fading. Sorrows and woe awakening. Try to contain your fears. Seems like a dream but I can. Never know when to be sure what I saw. What I’ve seen. Never to be safe. When I break down. Take me away from all. Crush my dreams. I’ve lost my heart. I’m lost like a raven in the dark. Oooh I’m torn apart. This quest was condemned up from the start.” Drums and the rest of the metal soundscape return, for this sad song. Beautiful piano and flute take us out to the end.

“To The Realm Of Gods,” opens with Tristan Harders singing, to orchestration and choirs, “To the realm of gods. To the world of faith and spirits. Where the laws of men have turned to sand. Wielding the torch in caverns ashore. Guiding them straight to the portal. The streams of the Nile stay calm for a while. Now the time is right. We rise and fight forevermore. Sheltered by the nightfall we are breaking through the gates. Where the curse of the Pharaoh awaits. Down below now the portal starts to glow. Transcending our souls to the other side. To the realm of gods. To the world of faith and spirits. Where the laws of men will fade like trails in the sand. To the realm of gods!” A tribute to the spirit of Egyptian and enemy warriors, and to the battles they fought.

“Oceans Of Eternity,” the epic closer does not leave you wanting. It is full of bold orchestra level symphonic sound at its opening. Then, the running drums, bass, and electric guitar riffs begin. Tristan Harders sings, “The flight of seagulls’ concerning my heart. Gruesome unfolds our fate. Walls of the heavens are tearing apart. No turning back now the day is too late. Dominus aquae et maris. Salva nos a morte. Swords strike and war cries are merged in the fray. Lines fall with every attack. Smoke from the engines eclipsing the day. Banners are tattered and tainted in black. Angelus dominus. Save us from eternal fire. Angelus glorius. Do you feel my pain. I wait for the oceans of eternity to rise. Tidal waves will lead us straight to paradise. We fight for the right cause. Break forth the tide force. And strike when the night falls. In glory I will be king of the ruins. Ride the ships up from the abyss. Pass over seas of time. Blind devotion covered in bliss. See how the planets align. Clench your sword and pray to the gods. This is the day you die. By divine and mystical force. We will leave no one alive. Vengeance for our fallen brothers. Breaking orders crossing borders. Forever roaming. As we see the future of our world. No guts no glory. And in unity we make our final stand. In the face of our demise. But now we rise!” A song that sounds like a tribute to Roman mythology and legends. The band even uses Latin in the lyrics. “Lord of water and sea, save us from death.” The longest and most symphonic sound at over ten minutes. A real powerhouse of a Roman sea anthem. They even include a classical melody reminiscent of Mozart’s 40th Symphony in G Minor. They close the album with beautiful piano and the ocean’s waves. Perfect!

Wow! Terra Atlantica’s Oceans, is like a wonderful mix of Theocracy, Visions of Atlantis, and Abney Park. Three great bands. On Oceans, you really do get to experience myths and feelings of legends, from the seven seas. From 18^th century pirates, to modern submarine warfare. This is a wonderful album full of a spirit for songs that you might feel comfortable singing along with, next time you head to the pub. Songs of energy and exploration that will help take your mind away from the humdrum of modern life. This is an album which really should be experienced live. I would hope to someday see Terra Atlantica play these or their other songs live. Until then, put on your headphones, close your eyes, and imagine that you are also at sea, singing these songs with your mates. Terra Atlantica’s Oceans, is the wonderful escapism we used to hear on the radio all the time, when I was growing up. Enjoy your journey to the seven seas!

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