Oceano

Originally formed in 2006 as a grindcore band by guitarist Jeremy Carroll, Chicago's Oceano went through a revolving cast of players until settling on a new lineup and a new sound in 2007. That lineup, consisting of Andrew Mikhail (guitar), Danny Terchin (drums), Adam Warren (vocals), and Kevin Colabuono (bass), would go on to develop the sound they'd take to the world in their first recordings. Pushing the limits of extreme music and influenced by Behemoth and the Acacia Strain, the band transitioned into a heavier, more technical death metal sound. This change was helped along by adopting the severely detuned "dropped A" from one of Mikhail's past bands, creating a guitar sound that was as thick and murky as Warren's anguished growls. In 2008, the band signed to Earache Records, and began a heavy touring schedule. That year also saw the departure of Carroll and Colabuono and the arrival of bassist Jason Jones. In 2009, the band released its full-length debut, Depths, on Earache Records. They followed the next year with second album Contagion. Sometime around 2012 the band went on a brief hiatus, amid rumors flying that they were breaking up. They instead returned heavier than ever in 2013 with third album Incisions. The next few years saw even more line-up changes, as guitarists Michael Kasper and Scott Smith joined the fold, as did former Monsters bassist Chris Wagner. With a revitalized line up, the band completed work on their more atmospheric fourth album Ascendants, which was slated for a March, 2015 release.