ArtistDirect News
The Ocean Announces European Headlining Tour and New Album Solaris
German post‑metal outfit The Ocean is back on the map, unveiling a full‑scale European headlining tour that will run from late November to mid‑December 2026. The dates coincide with the launch of the band’s twelfth studio album, Solaris, and follow the introduction of a new lineup in May.
The revamped ensemble features two fresh vocalists—Enrico Tiberi, formerly of EyeHate, and Lane Shi, who cut his teeth with Elizabeth Colour Wheel and Otay:onii—alongside guitarists Emmanuel Jessua of Hypno5e and Marco Gennaro. Long‑time stalwarts Robin Staps (guitar) and Mattias Hägerstrand (bass) anchor the rhythm section, giving the group a new sonic balance. The announcement was paired with the release of the lead single “Light Pollution,” a track that already appears on streaming platforms and as a high‑quality download.
The tour schedule is as follows: - 26 Nov – Prague, Czech Republic, Futurum - 27 Nov – Dresden, Germany, Beatpol - 28 Nov – Budapest, Hungary, Barba Negra - 29 Nov – Zagreb, Croatia, Vintage Industrial Bar - 30 Nov – Vienna, Austria, Szene - 1 Dec – Belgrade, Serbia, Zappa Barka - 3 Dec – Athens, Greece, Gagarin 205 - 4 Dec – Sofia, Bulgaria, Cultural Center - 5 Dec – Brasov, Romania, Rockstadt - 6 Dec – Bucharest, Romania, Quantic - 8 Dec – Krakow, Poland, Hype Park (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 9 Dec – Warsaw, Poland, Proxima (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 10 Dec – Riga, Latvia, Angars (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 11 Dec – Tallinn, Estonia, Paavli Kultuurivabrik (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 12 Dec – Helsinki, Finland, On The Rocks (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 14 Dec – Stockholm, Sweden, Kollektivet (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 15 Dec – Gothenburg, Sweden, Trädgår'n (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 17 Dec – Oslo, Norway, Parkteatret (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 18 Dec – Copenhagen, Denmark, Lille Vega (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 19 Dec – Hamburg, Germany, Gruenspan (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 20 Dec – Berlin, Germany, Kesselhaus (with Hypno5e and Pothamus)
Select dates will feature support from Psychonaut, Hypno5e, The Devil’s Trade, and Pothamus, underscoring the collaborative spirit that has long defined The Ocean’s live shows. Ticket sales open at 10:00 a.m. local time on 12 June.
The band’s roots stretch back to 2001, when guitarist Robin Staps assembled a rotating collective that would eventually evolve into a more cohesive unit. The most stable configuration lasted until 2025, when several long‑time members departed. The current lineup, revealed in May, brings together musicians from six different countries and promises a fresh dynamic to the group’s already ambitious sound.
Solaris arrives after a string of releases in 2025 and is described by Pelagic Records as a near‑70‑minute odyssey that builds on the thematic and sonic foundations of earlier works such as Phanerozoic I (2018). The lead single “Light Pollution” was issued on 28 May, and the album is scheduled for release on 25 September 2026.
Timing the tour to precede the album’s launch allows fans to experience the new material live before it reaches streaming services. Pelagic Records noted that the itinerary will blend headline performances with collaborations, reflecting the collective ethos that has driven The Ocean’s evolution.
Industry observers point to the lineup change and forthcoming album as a renewed commitment to international touring. The itinerary covers major European music markets, and the inclusion of well‑known acts such as Hypno5e and Psychonaut may broaden the band’s appeal beyond its established post‑metal core.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly, buoyed by the band’s loyal fan base and the promotional push surrounding the new lineup and album. The tour offers a platform for The Ocean to showcase its latest compositions and to re‑establish its presence in the post‑metal scene after a period of transition.
In short, The Ocean’s fall 2026 European tour, coupled with the release of Solaris, marks a pivotal chapter in the band’s trajectory. The comprehensive schedule, the introduction of new vocalists, and the arrival of fresh material position the group to reconnect with audiences and to continue shaping the post‑metal genre.
The revamped ensemble features two fresh vocalists—Enrico Tiberi, formerly of EyeHate, and Lane Shi, who cut his teeth with Elizabeth Colour Wheel and Otay:onii—alongside guitarists Emmanuel Jessua of Hypno5e and Marco Gennaro. Long‑time stalwarts Robin Staps (guitar) and Mattias Hägerstrand (bass) anchor the rhythm section, giving the group a new sonic balance. The announcement was paired with the release of the lead single “Light Pollution,” a track that already appears on streaming platforms and as a high‑quality download.
The tour schedule is as follows: - 26 Nov – Prague, Czech Republic, Futurum - 27 Nov – Dresden, Germany, Beatpol - 28 Nov – Budapest, Hungary, Barba Negra - 29 Nov – Zagreb, Croatia, Vintage Industrial Bar - 30 Nov – Vienna, Austria, Szene - 1 Dec – Belgrade, Serbia, Zappa Barka - 3 Dec – Athens, Greece, Gagarin 205 - 4 Dec – Sofia, Bulgaria, Cultural Center - 5 Dec – Brasov, Romania, Rockstadt - 6 Dec – Bucharest, Romania, Quantic - 8 Dec – Krakow, Poland, Hype Park (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 9 Dec – Warsaw, Poland, Proxima (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 10 Dec – Riga, Latvia, Angars (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 11 Dec – Tallinn, Estonia, Paavli Kultuurivabrik (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 12 Dec – Helsinki, Finland, On The Rocks (with Psychonaut and Pothamus) - 14 Dec – Stockholm, Sweden, Kollektivet (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 15 Dec – Gothenburg, Sweden, Trädgår'n (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 17 Dec – Oslo, Norway, Parkteatret (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 18 Dec – Copenhagen, Denmark, Lille Vega (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 19 Dec – Hamburg, Germany, Gruenspan (with Hypno5e and Pothamus) - 20 Dec – Berlin, Germany, Kesselhaus (with Hypno5e and Pothamus)
Select dates will feature support from Psychonaut, Hypno5e, The Devil’s Trade, and Pothamus, underscoring the collaborative spirit that has long defined The Ocean’s live shows. Ticket sales open at 10:00 a.m. local time on 12 June.
The band’s roots stretch back to 2001, when guitarist Robin Staps assembled a rotating collective that would eventually evolve into a more cohesive unit. The most stable configuration lasted until 2025, when several long‑time members departed. The current lineup, revealed in May, brings together musicians from six different countries and promises a fresh dynamic to the group’s already ambitious sound.
Solaris arrives after a string of releases in 2025 and is described by Pelagic Records as a near‑70‑minute odyssey that builds on the thematic and sonic foundations of earlier works such as Phanerozoic I (2018). The lead single “Light Pollution” was issued on 28 May, and the album is scheduled for release on 25 September 2026.
Timing the tour to precede the album’s launch allows fans to experience the new material live before it reaches streaming services. Pelagic Records noted that the itinerary will blend headline performances with collaborations, reflecting the collective ethos that has driven The Ocean’s evolution.
Industry observers point to the lineup change and forthcoming album as a renewed commitment to international touring. The itinerary covers major European music markets, and the inclusion of well‑known acts such as Hypno5e and Psychonaut may broaden the band’s appeal beyond its established post‑metal core.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly, buoyed by the band’s loyal fan base and the promotional push surrounding the new lineup and album. The tour offers a platform for The Ocean to showcase its latest compositions and to re‑establish its presence in the post‑metal scene after a period of transition.
In short, The Ocean’s fall 2026 European tour, coupled with the release of Solaris, marks a pivotal chapter in the band’s trajectory. The comprehensive schedule, the introduction of new vocalists, and the arrival of fresh material position the group to reconnect with audiences and to continue shaping the post‑metal genre.