Ocean Sleeper - Gig Review 7th June @ The Triffid, Brisbane QLD

Ocean Sleeper 
‍The Triffid, Brisbane QLD
‍June 7^th, 2025
‍Support: Point North, Zero 9:36 and Heists

The metalcore underdogs of Ocean Sleeper have truly soared in popularity in the past year. With a completely sold-out tour and spot on the eagerly anticipated Hellbound Cruise, 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. 

I have always loved The Triffid for heavy music. The arched ceiling not only provides excellent sound, but this dystopian feel that the crowd always revels in. The bare metal beams and wafting smoke makes it feel like something out of a cyberpunk film, as if everyone there is part of some illegal underground gig. 

Both Ocean Sleeper and the openers were well-suited to this vibe, with Heists, Zero 9:36 and Point North providing an intense night of hardcore, nu metal and metalcore carnage. 

I was particularly invested in Zero 9:36’s set. They were just fun. While the rap-rock style isn’t to my usual taste, the artist took to the stage with this 90’s nu-metal spunk that the crowd ate up completely. International guests Point North also won over a stack of new fans following their performance.

Heists joked in their set that when Ocean Sleeper took to the stage, the entire crowd should face the back of the room. The crowd obliged and when the main act began to play ‘Cold’, the audience faced their backs to them and cheered. This wasn’t really acknowledged by the band, but the crowd giggled to themselves all the same. 

Ocean Sleeper filled the beginning of their show with newer music following ‘Cold’ with ‘Heaven’, which the crowd loved, but things really kicked into gear when ‘Light in My Dark’ started to play. The room flooded with an eager warmth as the intro began, with fans jumping on each other’s shoulders and belting the lyrics back to the band. Lead vocalist, Karl Spiessl, welcomed this energy and continued to excite the audience. Band members threw t-shirts, beachballs and inflatable bottles of fireball into the crowd as they played – which delicately bounced off the havoc of the pit.

The lights flashed a blinding white before they melted into a deep purple as ‘Parasite’ started to play. Intrigued by the impressive light display I made my way over to the lightboard in the back of the venue. I was impressed by how quickly the lighting technician moved between controls, creating an impressive display of colours that hypnotised the audience. This was especially prevalent in my personal favourite track, ‘Your Love I’ll Never Need’. The stage was overcome by an eerie, red hue and the screens behind displayed what appeared to be bars of a cage – truly adding to the cyberpunk criminal aura.

Karl took a moment between songs to thank the crowd. The vocalist explained how the band is entirely self-made and managed, no one is backing them except for the fans.

To marry this moment of vulnerability, the energy slowed down as ‘Running Through My Head’ began to play. The crowd flicked on their phone torches and began to sway back and forth, creating an emotional moment between the chaos of the set.

To close, ‘Never the One’ was blasted through the venue.

“This is for all you crazy motherfuckers!” yelled Karl, as the crowd broke into one final push pit as they screamed their lungs out. I expect there to be many sore throats on Sunday morning. 

Ocean Sleeper’s final show for the Maybe Death Is Feeling Nothing Tour was an incredibly visual and engaging show. The crowd was thrown into a flurry of aggressive lighting, music and mosh pit activity that was both enjoyable and memorable. Ocean Sleeper has grown by insane margins in the short span of the year, but they are taking to it with ease and naturality, as if their music was always meant for a larger stage.

Setlist

Cold
Heaven
Light in My Dark
Hate Me Like You mean It
Parasite
Forever Sinking
Your Love I’ll Never Need
Sleep Life Away
Worthless No Purpose
Running Through My Head
Sleepless
You Kill the Good in Me
Maybe Death is All I Need
King of Nothing
Lonely Love
Never the One

Review by Grace Cameron @disgracefultaste