Holocene (album)

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]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[13]
Distorted Sound	8/10[14]
Metal Injection	9/10[15]
Metal Storm	8.1/10[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]

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