Typically, bands get softer over time. Magma Ocean is not one of those bands.  

Their 2024 debut EP, “Liminal”, exhibits the classic metalcore tropes of aggressive screaming vocals, downtuned guitars and a modern production style, but clearly leaned towards the more melodic: showcasing slow, ballad-inspired singalongs and uplifting guitar solos. As time has gone on, their sound has become even more energetic. Their most recent EP, “Unwanted gift”, favours massive breakdowns and moshpit-inducing beatdown moments that wouldn’t be out of place at a no-barrier Kublai Khan Tx show, all while still retaining their signature melodic edge.

The great diversity in Magma Ocean’s sound is no surprise when you look at the members of the band. The instrumentalists are true veterans of the Swiss and German heavy music scene, with previous music projects that span across genres from death metal to hard rock, and still ongoing projects for guitarists Claudio Reed and Cyril Montavon (Stallion and Shakra, respectively). Vocalist Harry Ballantyne is a much more recent addition to the Swiss landscape, originally hailing from the ever-fertile birthplace of metal and punk that is the United Kingdom. Whether it’s on the main stage of Summerside festival or a small club show in a rural alpine village, his live stage presence is undeniable, using every moment available to instigate movement in the crowd while swinging around his hyper-recognisable mane of dreadlocks.

Now, after playing in almost every club of German-speaking Switzerland, the band has no intention of slowing down, with promise of new releases throughout 2026-2027.