OCEANICA UNVEIL THEIR “FUN” DEBUT
Former Enochian Theory frontman makes waves with his latest solo project.
Multi-instrumentalist Benedict Harris-Hayes is to release the first of three EPs as Oceanica this June. The musician is best known as the keyboard player and vocalist with Portsmouth prog metallers Enochian Theory.
“One Dark is a continuation of the heavier stuff I did with Enochian Theory and I think a lot of people will hear that in the writing,” he tells Prog. “The other EPs – Two Light and Three Grey – will be slightly different and there are a couple of curveballs in there. I’m intrigued to see what people think of them. The third EP is a lot stranger, one friend described it as ‘musical oddness’!”
Harris-Hayes set up the project back in 2013, but placed it on hold to concentrate on writing film scores and making electronic sounds with Massive Dynamic. When Enochian Theory went on hiatus earlier this year, he decided to resurrect it and flex his musical muscles, playing not just keys and synths, but also drums, cello, violin and kazoo.
“The EPs are quite silly in places but also quite serious in their own way,” he admits, citing Tool, Devin Townsend, Katatonia and Anathema among his more serious influences. “I think you’ve got to have a bit of fun with these things.”
Oceanica will shortly release promo videos for the tracks Oubliette and Overcome, while the remaining EPs will come out later this year. The musician plans to follow these with a full-length album and some live shows.
“I’ve written about three-quarters of the first album already,” he says. “It’s been a challenge, but it’s also been fun.”
For more, visit www.benharrishayes.co.uk. NRS