Progressive post-metal collective The Ocean have unveiled “Belligerence,” the second single from their highly anticipated twelfth studio album, Solaris. The track offers another glimpse into the band’s next chapter, combining crushing heaviness with fresh sonic elements and a renewed sense of intensity.

Drawing inspiration from Andrei Tarkovsky’s iconic 1972 film Solaris, the song explores themes of conflict, human nature, and the destructive consequences of anger. At the same time, it expands the album’s overarching narrative, continuing the journey hinted at in the closing moments of Holocene.

“Belligerence” also introduces listeners to the band’s evolving lineup. New vocalist Enrico Tiberi brings a familiar yet invigorating energy, while Lane Shi (Otay, formerly of Elizabeth Colour Wheel) adds a distinctive new dimension with ethereal vocal textures. Their harmonized performances create striking moments of contrast against the song’s crushing instrumentation.

Speaking about the track, the band said:

“Belligerence is a song about the culture of arguing and about the destructive force of contained anger and belligerence as a trait of character, often transfigured as an attribute of reason and a critical mind.”

Photo credit: Pelagic Records