Holocene
Studio album by
The Ocean
Released19 May 2023 (2023-05-19)
Genre
Length52:44
LabelPelagic
ProducerDaniel Lidén
The Ocean chronology
Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic / Cenozoic
(2020)		 Holocene
(2023)
Singles from Holocene
  1. "Preboreal"
    Released: 17 January 2023
  2. "Parabiosis"
    Released: 16 February 2023
  3. "Sea of Reeds"
    Released: 20 March 2023
  4. "Subatlantic"
    Released: 19 April 2023

Holocene is the ninth studio album by German progressive metal band The Ocean. The album was released on 19 May 2023 through Pelagic Records and was produced by Daniel Lidén.[1][2][3]

Background and promotion

On 17 January 2023, The Ocean released unveiled the first single "Preboreal" and its corresponding music video.[4][5] On 6 February, the band officially announced the album itself and release date while also revealed the album cover.[6]

On 16 February, the band published the second single "Parabiosis" along with an accompanying music video.[7][8] On 20 March, the band premiered the third single "Sea of Reeds" along with a music video. At the same time, they also revealed the track list.[9][10] On 19 April, one month before the album release, the band released the fourth single "Subatlantic".[11][12]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Distorted Sound8/10[14]
Metal Injection9/10[15]
Metal Storm8.1/10[16]
MetalSucks[17]
New Noise Magazine[18]
Sputnikmusic[19]

The album received critical acclaim from critics. AllMusic gave the album a positive review saying, "Holocene delivers the most varied, restless, and experimental music the Ocean has yet recorded -- especially as they lean into electronic music."[13] Will Marshall of Distorted Sound scored the album 8 out of 10 and said: "The dichotomy between crescendo and lull is nothing new to The Ocean, and even while Holocene arguably sits overall on the quieter side, it's no less enthralling, never heavy for the sake of it and still as forward-thinking as ever."[14] Metal Injection rated the album 9 out of 10 and stated, "The Ocean were inevitably going to have a tough time surpassing what they accomplished with the Phanerozoic LPs. While Holocene doesn't definitively best that prior duo, it certainly matches them. By incorporating more electronic elements – as well as the elegance of Park – into their customary yet perpetually alluring recipe, the band has fashioned another immersive journey that's absolutely haunting, courageous, and essential."[15]

MetalSucks rated the album 4 out of 5 and said: "Considering there isn't any more natural history for The Ocean to cover, it's fair to call Holocene a solid end to an era for The Ocean. It might be quieter in comparison, but it never compromises the creative drive that has kept this band on the vanguard of forward-thinking metal."[17] New Noise Magazine gave the album 5 out of 5 and stated: "Ultimately, Holocene is a rousing success, the kind of record that I would have said would fail on paper. The Ocean going electronic? A metal record with lead ideas from the synth player? (The latter is always a good idea, but I digress). Thankfully, The Ocean found a way to nail a new experiment. Who would have guessed a band obsessed with science would be good at experiments? A modern classic."[18] Sputnikmusic acknowledged that the album "requires patience" but affirmed that "the beauty that unravels from that adventure makes the diversion well worth it."[19]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Robin Staps; all music is composed by Robin Staps and Peter Voigtmann

Holocene track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Preboreal"5:04
2."Boreal"3:41
3."Sea of Reeds"5:48
4."Atlantic"8:49
5."Subboreal"4:46
6."Unconformities" (featuring Karin Park)9:09
7."Parabiosis"8:12
8."Subatlantic"6:55
Total length:52:44

Personnel

The Ocean

  • Loïc Rossetti – lead vocals
  • Robin Staps – guitar, programming, backing vocals, arranging
  • David Ramis Åhfeldt – guitar
  • Mattias Hägerstrand – bass
  • Paul Seidel – drums, backing vocals, vibraphone
  • Peter Voigtmann – synths, percussion, arranging

Additional musicians

  • Steve Thompson – trombone
  • Fritz Moshammer – trumpet, horn
  • Karin Park – guest vocals on track 6
  • Frieder Hepting – guest piano on track 6

Additional personnel

  • Daniel Lidén – production, mixing, mastering
  • Christophe Edrich – vocal production
  • Martin Kvamme and Stefan Alt – artwork, layout

Charts

Chart performance for Holocene
Chart (2023) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[20] 15
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[21] 25

References

  1. ↑ "The Ocean announce new album 'Holocene'". Distorted Sound. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "THE OCEAN Announces New Record Holocene". Metal Injection. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "The Ocean To Release New Album "Holocene" In May". ThePRP. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "The Ocean Premiere New Song "Preboreal"". ThePRP. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  5. ↑ Ewing, Jerry (17 January 2023). "The Ocean drop surprise new single Preboreal". Prog. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  6. ↑ "The Ocean Announce New Album 'Holocene,' Premiere Stirring Video for "Parabiosis"". Rock 'N' Load. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  7. ↑ "The Ocean Premiere "Parabiosis" Music Video". ThePRP. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "The Ocean release new music video for 'Parabiosis'". Distorted Sound. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  9. ↑ "The Ocean Premiere "Sea Of Reeds" Music Video". ThePRP. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  10. ↑ "THE OCEAN Gets Biblical With New Single "Sea Of Reeds"". Metal Injection. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  11. ↑ "The Ocean Debut "Subatlantic" Music Video". ThePRP. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  12. ↑ "The Ocean share epic cinematic video for Subatlantic". Prog. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  13. 1 2 Jurek, Thom. "The Ocean Holocene". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  14. 1 2 Marshall, Will (19 May 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: Holocene – The Ocean". Distorted Sound. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  15. 1 2 Blum, Jordan (18 May 2023). "Album Review: THE OCEAN Holocene". Metal Injection. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  16. ↑ "The Ocean - Holocene review". Metal Storm. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  17. 1 2 Heilman, Max (17 May 2023). "Review: The Ocean Lands Their Journey Through Natural History with Holocene". MetalSucks. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  18. 1 2 Senior, Nicholas (17 May 2023). "Album Review – The Ocean – Holocene". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  19. 1 2 Worden, Mitch (18 May 2023). "Album Review – The Ocean – Holocene". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Ocean – Holocene" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  21. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
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