The Sound of Animals Fighting (TSAF) have announced the release of a third album, The Ocean and the Sun, out September 9th. Here is a first look at their final album.

The Sound of Animals Fighting is an LA-based progressive/experimental rock collective which largely features current and former members from ska-punk band Rx Bandits. Over the group's four-year career, they have put out two records: the 2005 Tiger and the Duke and Lover, the Lord has Left Us in 2006.

Last October, they announced a shift from Equal Vision to Epitaph Records and the coming of a new album. Their third LP, entitled The Ocean and the Sun, is rumored to be their final one. It promises a sound reminiscent of their debut, as well as a shrinking of personnel.

Band Members and Extravagance Cut on New Album

One of the most interesting things about TSAF is the unique personnel they call on to contribute on their albums.The band, at its core, consists of Rich Balling—former member of Rx Bandits—singing and producing, Matt Embree of Rx Bandits on guitar and vocals, Chris Tsagakis drumming (also of Rx Bandits), and Anthony Green of Circa Survive singing.

Despite their backgrounds in ska, punk, and indie rock, The Sound of Animals Fighting has a distinctly different sound. Tiger and the Duke pushed an aggressive style that was half screamo and half progressive rock, whereas Lover, the Lord Has Left Us was strictly experimental, and predominantly featured foreign, free-form, and atonal styles of play.

But, as Balling stated on the band's Myspace page, The Ocean and the Sun will not continue in an experimental direction, although the influence will remain. According to the band, their third album will sound more like their debut and will feature a reduction of personnel.

The four core members—Balling (The Nightingale), Embree (The Walrus), Tsagakis (The Lynx), and Green (The Skunk)—will remain, but there will be fewer contributing artists. This is a drastic change from the past, as the band has recorded with members from Finch, Atreyu, The Autumns, and Chiodos.

Ocean and the Sun is Smaller, Not Stripped Down

While the band has gone back to basics, there is a definite sense of evolution in The Ocean and the Sun. Thus far, the band has posted two songs on their Myspace, one eponymous and the other titled “The Heraldic Beak of the Manufacturer's Medallion”.

These songs are vastly different from one another, and they show a portion of the variety that can be found on the album. “The Ocean and the Sun” is a softer, flowing song that has cryptic lyrics throughout. On the other hand, “The Heraldic Beak” is fast-paced with a guitar theme reminiscent of the melody in the four Acts of Tiger and the Duke.

The Ocean and the Sun appears to be an excellent finale for The Sounds of Animals Fighting ,if the rumors are true.

At first listen, it is comprehensive. It keeps the group's music at its driving progressive rock core but also includes solos, off-kilter vocals, and noise breaks (the genre, not the sound) of an experimental nature. Balling has said that The Sound of Animals Fighting is a “cathartic project”, and it has definitely allowed the members to experiment with new genres and broaden their talents.

The Ocean and the Sun is to be released September 9th on Epitaph Records.