The Ocean Offer Statement On The Exit Of Their Drummer Paul Seidel

With their ‘End Of An Eon’ tour now wrapped up, The Ocean have announced the departure of drummer Paul Seidel, who had been with the band since 2014.

The band addressed his exit in a statement released today, February 5:

“Madrid was Paul‘s last show with The Ocean, and an emotional heavyweight for all of us. To say Paul‘s contribution to this band over the past 11 years was important and trailblazing would be an understatement. On the drumming end, his precision, touch and dynamics are unrivaled and made the rhythmical realm of the Phanerozoic‘s and Holocene shine.

On the songwriting end, Paul wrote Oligocene, Miocene and Holocene (the song). As a person and bandmate, Paul is an incredible dude, a constant source of positive energy, always looking after everyone‘s well-being on tour, a trigger of stomach-ache inducing laughs and a resource of great ideas and pragmatic approaches to problems. More than anything, Madrid was a celebration of Paul, who can be seen in this first picture wearing a T-shirt of his own pretty face, brought by fans…

Thank you, @paulseideldrums. You will be missed!”

Seidel himself also offered up a personal statement back in November of last year revealing his plans, it read as follows:

“Dear friends, family, and followers,

after more than a decade of incredible experiences and unforgettable memories with The Ocean, I have made the difficult decision to step down as the band’s drummer at the beginning of 2025. This has been one of the hardest choices of my life, but I believe the time has come for me to move on.

I’ve poured my heart and soul into this band ever since I joined in early 2014 and while this dedication has led to amazing experiences, it has also caused me to neglect aspects of myself that are essential to who I aspire to be. I’ve come to realize that even in the most successful creative environments, personal well-being and growth can become challenging over time.

Sometimes distress and unhappiness are signs of temporary burnout, and sometimes these feelings persist even after taking time to recharge and recover. It’s crucial for me to take these signals seriously and listen to my mind and body and acknowledge the need for personal growth and healing. I want to emphasize that I will always cherish my time with The Ocean and the incredible music we’ve created together. However, I believe it’s important to recognize when a chapter has come to an end, and for me, that time is now.

Therefore, I feel the need to step back to heal, grow, and expand my horizons beyond who I am today. To achieve this, I need time to reflect, explore different facets of life, and venture into new territories.

To everyone who has been part of this incredible journey—the bands we’ve toured with, our dedicated crew, and our amazing fans—I cannot put into words how much your support has meant to me. The energy and passion you’ve brought to every show, every message, and every interaction have been truly inspiring. Seeing so many familiar faces in the front rows has been one of the reasons why our shows are so special.

To my band mates… together, we’ve performed some of the most intense and unforgettable shows, lived through adventures of unimaginable scope, journeyed to the most beautiful corners of the world, and connected with an incredible global community of passionate and dedicated music lovers. These experiences have not only shaped me as a musician but also as a person. I am deeply grateful for every moment we’ve shared, and this journey will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Looking ahead, I’m truly excited for these final shows with The Ocean, and I promise to give them everything I’ve got. I hope to see many of you there so we can share these last moments together on stage. Beyond that, I’m eager to explore new horizons—both musically and personally—and to embrace the next chapter of my journey with an open heart.

Thank you all for your unwavering love and understanding throughout the years. This is the beginning of a new adventure, and I hope you’ll continue to be a part of my journey in the future.

With heartfelt gratitude,
Paul“

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