Where The Ocean Meets The Sky

The phrase “where the ocean meets the sky” invokes images of an epic scene that stretches across the burning horizon … and that’s exactly what makes it a perfect moniker for a certain South Jersey six-piece. WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY deliver herculean soundscapes that are as wide-ranging and panoramic as they are thunderous and pummeling.

With their musically adventurous debut full-length, Empires, WTOMTS are prepared to assault the rock, metal and hard rock world with a sound that is just as smart as it is heavy, as loaded with pop hooks and musical Easter eggs as it bristling with bone-crushing riffage. Both brawn and brains – a decidedly rare combination in today’s alt music scene.

“It was important to us that this album was not only good musically, but that it had substance and depth lyrically,” explains vocalist Blake Martin. “Empires is directed towards our faults as human beings and the idea that we destroy ourselves from the inside out.”

From the moment the opening atmospherics of lead track “On the Backs of Your Brothers” break into a pummeling assault, to the last notes of closer “Who We Are,” Empires proves to be an album that refuses to fit neatly into a single box. It’s an adventurous freshman endeavor whose sound will please the ears of fans of acts such as THRICE, BLESSTHEFALL, THE RECEIVING END OF SIRENS and more, without being accused of borrowing too heavily from any of them.

WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY have spent the last several years gearing up for their debut by earning a fan base the hard, honest and old-fashioned way, touring relentlessly up and down the East Coast and performing with the likes of BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME, ALESANA, HASTE THE DAY, SKYEATSAIRPLANE and many more of today’s genre giants – along the way, laying the groundwork for an empire of their own.

When it came time to record Empires, WTOMTS knew they wanted to not only make an immediate impact on the music world, but create something enduring, something that had both significance and longevity.

“Our goal with this album was to create something lasting, something with depth, and something that pushes the boundaries of our music scene,” Martin explains before bringing it full circle to the underlying themes of the album. “The prevailing theme for Empires is about falling from grace. In that regard, the ‘empire’ is a metaphor for the rise and fall of man’s pride, man’s life, and man’s creations.”

With an already feverish following and a debut album that positively quakes with energy and drive, WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY are poised to further expand their empire across the music world – something they’ll do with a sense of purpose fitting to their name, conquering new fans venue by venue, stereo by stereo, iPod by iPod.

NOISECREEP: "[WTOMTS is] like a modern LYNYRD SKYNYRD or IRON MAIDEN in that they use three guitarists in their neo-metalcore mix of clean versus screamed vocals and enough breakdowns to warrant being committed to a mental hospital... If you like AS I LAY DYING or CHIODOS, you'll dig WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY.”

EXCL.. "WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY have the potential to do something special as they grow beyond the boundaries of the genre... There's a level of quality and sophistication that surpasses most of their contemporaries”

MIND EQUALS BLOWN: "[A] musical masterpiece... Epic. That’s really the only word [to describe Empires]”

INDIE VISION MUSIC: "WTOMTS is extremely talented, they effectively blend in some heavy guitar, aggressive drumming, and use some electro/synth effects to put a different spin on their music... This is a solid album”

LEXINGTON MUSIC PRESS: "A very solid release... Meet the next August Burns Red”

ANTI MUSIC: "Empires is a solid freshman release; masterfully arranged, and leaving the ear in an orgasmic frenzy after a scant listen. Fans who are looking to break the mold between hardcore and rock will not be disappointed.”

THE AQUARIAN: "A compelling new band... [WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY is] ready to take over the music industry”

SHADY LITTLE ROAD: "Absolutely stunning... The band takes on an almost celestial sound before their in-your-face growling leaves you wanting more and more.”

HOPECORE: "Without a doubt WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY has brought the noise straight from the get-go... Empires is an impressive debut”

ALTSOUNDS: "WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY's imagination is definitely apparent in all of their tracks, whilst trying to honour the heavy metal genre they add their own unique twist that gives themselves a platform to compete with the big dogs... I applaud [their] musical creativity, their passion, energy and attitude”

THE RECORD REBELLION: "Non-repetitive breakdowns, riffy chord progressions, and very well used synth effects... [Empires has] serious playback potentia”

THE BREAKDOWN "Sure to become a fan favorite... WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY is set to rock the world”

HIGHWIRE DAZE: "WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY has presented a thought provoking new album to the world... A compelling new band”

LA MUSIC BLOG: "From start to finish on Empires, WHERE THE OCEAN MEETS THE SKY does a solid job of standing out from the norm and creating their own sound... Eloquent, yet compelling”

LUSH BEAT: "Easily decipherable but throat-rippingly brutal, [Blake Martin's] is a voice that shouldn’t go unheard in the Hardcore scene”

THE NEW REVIEW: "Catchy guitar riffs and melodies ... These guys have the technical ability to write interesting music and put it all together in a way that is pleasing to listen to”