About Me
In a scene plagued with copycats and lack of originality, it is hard to find a band which works to break the mold. Very few bands have enough courage to stand out regardless of public opinion or a need to “fit inâ€. Among those bands is Drain the Ocean.
The post-hardcore quintet from various locations in Puerto Rico has made it a point to maintain originality and creativity in their music. With influences ranging from post-hardcore, to hardcore, to pop, and everything in between, Drain the Ocean packs a different punch with each song.
Take for example their latest offering ‘Countdown to Silence’. With riffs that could easily blend into any hardcore or metal song, drumming that could rival many pop-punk acts, and enough vocal melodies to have you singing “over and over…,†you get a good idea of the versatility and variety in Drain the Ocean’s sound.
As with “Countdown,†every song is a blend of ideas from each member’s musical style, background, and influences. Jonathan (Ruiz; Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards) offers catchy, melodic vocals, new-age style synth lines, and rave-worthy electronic beats. Gabriel (Ortiz; Guitar, Backup Vocals) and Francisco "Cisco" (Miranda; Guitar) counter with aggressive riffs, dueling leads, and the occasional scream. Jeanmanuel Negrón continues the process with melodic bass lines which revolve around your head. Finally, Raul (Benitez; Drums) swiftly pummels out extremely energized and unconventional pop-punk beats.
Drain the Ocean has also made it a point to experiment in every direction possible. New creations such as “Armed and Beautiful†and “Jamais Vu†explore acoustic sounds mixed with heavy electronics and walls of vocals. The electronic elements of this band are also further documented in the opening measures of “Silent Weapons for Quiet Warsâ€.
Another important pillar in Drain the Ocean’s sound are its lyrics. Stemming away from the conventional lyrics associated with post-hardcore and its surrounding genres (hardcore, screamo, emo, etc.), themes range from psychology, to conspiracy theory, religion, and sometimes even attacking the scene itself. Jonathan’s lyrics leave no stone unturned and no question unanswered.
Presently Drain the Ocean is promoting their debut album "A Feedback, A Mirror and The Demon".
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