Review and Gallery: Luke Petty
Ocean Sleeper completely conquered Brisbane’s Princess Theatre on Saturday night, delivering a masterclass in modern alternative metalcore. Marking the second stop of their heavily anticipated Peace When I’m Dead Australian headline tour, Ocean Sleeper played to a completely sold-out venue that was buzzing from the floorboards to the rafters with an insatiable, high-octane energy.
I remember the first time I saw Ocean Sleeper supporting Atreyu in 2020, I said they would be the new big thing and let me tell you, I think I hit the nail on the head with this one. Seeing these guys grow and become what they are today has been incredible. They are selling out headline shows six years later and delivering absolutely masterful music. Tonight was going to be special.
Kicking off the evening as the official openers, Outloved, the Australian favourites wasted no time setting the bar incredibly high. Capturing the crowd’s early attention with massive, infectious choruses paired against bone-rattling breakdowns, they instantly turned the floor into a swirling pit and laid a perfect foundation for the night.
Bringing her unique NZ alternative flare next, Vana delivered a fiercely theatrical and punishingly heavy set. Her raw, genre-blending presence and commanding stage persona injected an extra dose of chaotic energy that pushed the room closer to the edge. Opening with “Pray,” I was instantly captured by her performance. This was my first time seeing Vana and definitely won’t be my last. She is also someone I believe will be selling out shows in the near future.
Serving as the final support act before Ocean Sleeper graced the stage, US post-hardcore outfit Nevertel handled their duties with absolute perfection. Their infusion of electronic rock elements and heavy, rhythmic breakdown patterns kept the blood pumping, driving the packed theatre into a frenzy of unified sing-alongs. These guys brought the house down. They were so fun to watch. They were in sync perfectly with each song and the crowd was loving it.
Opening the floodgates with the devastating “Every Part of Me,” Ocean Sleeper immediately sent the crowd wild before rolling right into the crushing rhythm of “Break the Cycle.” The relentless pacing of the set showcased the band’s incredible flexibility. Spiessl’s piercing, bright and cutting harsh vocals completely sliced through the heavy instrumentation, while guitarist Ionei Heckenberg countered with soaring, pristine clean choruses on anthems like “Heaven” and the album’s title track, “Peace When I’m Dead.”
The mid-set progression hit like a freight train, balancing emotionally charged tracks like “Someone Better” and “Skin Deep” with absolute crowd-pleaser “Light in My Dark,” given a different spin. Just Ionei and Stan sitting on stage and delivering the absolute perfect acoustic edition of this song. Ionei’s vocals are insane. The whole crowd singing along. Camera torches lighting up the theatre. It was such a moment to be a part of.
The energy in the room peaked during “Lonely Love,” which also had guest vocals from Alex Davis of Nevertell, and “Never The One,” where the entire floor became a sea of flying limbs and unified crowd vocals echoing back at the stage.
Saving their absolute heaviest blows for last, the band closed out the main set with a punishing trifecta of “Punishment,” “Take Me to the Grave,” and “My Forever Drug.” “Punishment” hands down is their heaviest song and got the pit moving. Vana also appeared to finish out vocals with Karl and it was brutal.
Refusing to let Brisbane leave without a fight, they returned to deliver a devastating encore of “King of Nothing” before shaking the room with the final, cathartic notes of “Maybe Death Is All I Need.”
By the time the lights came up, it was undeniably clear that Ocean Sleeper has outgrown the underdog title. They have firmly cemented themselves as a commanding, top-tier force in the alternative heavy music scene.
– GALLERY –
