OCEAN SLEEPER RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE “BREAK THE CYCLE” — LISTEN + WATCH
Regional Victorian metalcore kings Ocean Sleeper return in 2026 transformed — sharper, heavier, and more emotionally resonant than ever before. Following a relentless two-year stretch of international touring and writing, the four-piece now steps into a new age with their most defining release to date — their powerful and defiant new single “Break The Cycle“ (via BMG/Rise Records). Marked as the shining start of the next Ocean Sleeper era, “Break The Cycle” captures the band’s enduring resilience in the face of adversity.
“Break The Cycle” was born from a creative partnership sparked when Ocean Sleeper brought Point North to Australia to support their sold-out 2025 tour. Following this connection, and after landing in the U.S. for their headline tour and attending the Warped Tour to watch their friends Lil Lotus, Sace6, and Point North play, they headed into the studio the following day with Jon Lundin of Point North (Falling In Reverse) to co-write the track. The result is one of their most anthemic and emotionally-charged releases to date.
“This song captures our struggle in breaking out of Australia and into the global touring market as an independent band,” Ocean Sleeper says. “It’s fast-paced, heavier than before, while still keeping the emotional depth with one of our biggest choruses to date. We instantly knew this song was going to be something special.”
Hailing from Gippsland in regional Victoria, and all working trades by day, Ocean Sleeper’s background is core to their identity and the deep connection they share with fans. Despite hailing from a small country town, Ocean Sleeper have never let geographical limits stand in their way — tearing down barriers and defying expectations at every turn. Through fierce self-sufficiency and brutal persistence, the metalcore four-piece have built a vehemently loyal fan base and following throughout Australia, the U.S., and Europe.
Since their formation in 2015, Ocean Sleeper have been cultivating a reputation for blending crushing metalcore intensity with deeply personal lyricism and anthemic melody. From their 2019 debut album Don’t Leave Me This Way —featuring exceptional cut “Light in My Dark” — through to their 2025 EP Maybe Death Is All I Need — with standouts like title track “Maybe Death Is All We Need,” “Heaven” and “Never The One” — the band has consistently pushed the boundaries of modern heavy music, connecting with fans through honesty, vulnerability, and explosive live performances.
They’ve sold out tours in both Australia and the U.S. and recently played the Polaris-curated metal festival Life’s A Beach in Melbourne in February this year, alongside We Came As Romans, Thy Art is Murder, and Caskets. With local dates likely in 2026, they’ll first play their debut headline European shows in Eindhoven, Prague, and Vienna and support Nevertel across the EU/UK throughout June/July as well as appearing at Impericon Festival (Germany). Plus this October will play Hellbound Cruise — a three-day cruise dedicated to heavy music featuring alongside heavyweights Parkway Drive, Polaris, Northlane, and The Butterfly Effect — departing from Sydney Harbour. More to come!
As “Break The Cycle” does just as it says on the packet, and the band’s recent signing to BMG Australia and Rise Records (USA), Ocean Sleeper are tearing into 2026 with thunderous force.
“Production is so so good… I feel like this is one of those bands that could be the future of Aussie metalcore” —Roguenjosh
“Ocean Sleeper are shaking up regional vic… I can hear this lot from the city !!! Loving the noise this crew are making, be warned… it’s BIG!” — riple j (Anika Luna)
“…the Victoria-based outfit has taken this newfound popularity in their stride, delivering an energetic and visually epic showcase to a loyal onslaught of fans” —Wall of Sound
“From Karl Spiessl using every inch of the stage to his advantage to Stan Liagourdis twirling his guitar mid-set, they’re never anything less than captivating to watch” —Heavy Mag
