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

Their 2024 debut EP, “Liminal”, exhibits the classic metalcoretropes of aggressive screaming vocals, downtuned guitars and a modern production style, but clearly leaned towards the more melodic: showcasing slow, ballad-inspired singalongsand uplifting guitar solos. As time has gone on, their singleshave become even more energetic, instead favouring massive breakdowns and moshpit-inducing beatdown moments that wouldn’t be out of place at a no-barrier Kublai Khan Tx show.

The great diversity in Magma Ocean’s sound is no surprisewhen 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 ongoingprojects 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 mainstage of Summerside festival or a small club show in a rural alpine village, his live stage presence is undeniable, usingevery moment available to instigate movement in the crowdwhile swinging around his hyper-recognisable mane of dreadlocks.

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