EP Review: Ocular by In Search of Sight (Self Released)

Texas based progressive metallers, In Search of Sight, have released their brand new EP called Ocular as of the 7th of August, 2020.

The American band are a 5 piece with Daniel McMullin on vocals, Russell Hollar and Alex Wilshin on guitars, Drew Nolde on bass and Matthew Orlando on drums. The 5 piece have released a fir bit of music since their inception and their debut release, Animism in 2011. As well as some special releases, like a Star Wars medley, their most recent record was 2016’s Introspection.

In Search of Sight are a post metal/progressive band but they also incorporate other elements like hardcore, metalcore and technical metal making them a hard band to define clearly. In turn that makes them an exciting listen.

Ocular has 4 tracks on it and is around 15 minutes in total length. It starts with the interesting Breaking. Screaming lead guitars blend nicely with a crunchy riff. The drums are frenetic and vocals switch from guttural to clean to screeched though the majority of the song is delivered cleanly. There are some nice rhythmic sections but also a fair few moments of chaos where everything seems to go a little off beat. It transitions a lot too, never sitting still or becoming predictable though occasionally it all gets a bit busy.

Energy comes next, starting with a little backing effect before a sudden explosion of progressive metal slams you to the ground. The punishing riff is great alongside the deep growled vocals. The switch to a higher toned screech vocal coincide with the arrival of a cracking melodic lead guitar. The chorus is strong too, switching to a fast but melodic clean anthem you can’t not enjoy. Chuck a couple mini solos into the mix and you have a cracking song.

The Mist comes next and is a short blast of heaviness. It’s just a minute or so long raining down a vicious onslaught of riffs, aggressive vocals and screeching lead guitars. It’s good, and a bit different to what preceded it. We close the EP with the track, Refrain. Another really strong song that hammers the verse at you in an attack of crushing bass and drums with powerfully roared vocals. This transcends into a crystal clear chorus that I really like a lot. The ending part of the song is fire too starting with a dangerous heavy riffing section that could damage necks before growing into another screaming solo. It’s good metal.

I don’t think Ocular is going to break any boundaries or anything but it is strong, solid technical metal. Fans of the genre should love it, detractors will still detract. I enjoyed it but would say the band could do with restraining themselves a little. The songs occasionally get really busy and chaotic which isn’t a great listener experience. At least not for me. When they are good though, you really do see the talent and potential within the band. My favourite track being Energy, I think the band have a knack for a catchy chorus and some of the solos, and transitions into the solos, are great. There is a lot to like here but a bit of refinement needed.

Grab yourself a copy of Ocular, from the band here.

In Search of Sight Links

Bandcamp – Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – YouTube