Nine mind-bending guitar tracks written between tours and time zones make up the latest from Opal Ocean. The Melbourne-based duo of Alex Champ and Nadav Tabak have released their new album ‘Temple of the Stars,’ out now, alongside their first-ever run of UK shows.
‘Temple of the Stars’ marks a milestone for the pair. It’s the first album they’ve written and recorded entirely from home, between tours, between time zones, and between ever-evolving lifestyles. The music, like the artwork, reflects both an introspective and outward journey of who Opal Ocean are in 2026 and what their sound has become.
Opal Ocean built their name on a singular trick: making two acoustic guitarists sound like a full band. Since their debut ‘Terra’ EP in 2015, the duo have blended high-octane Spanish guitar techniques with dynamic, psychedelic-tinged soundscapes. A viral video of them busking their track “J.A.M.” on the streets of Melbourne racked up a staggering 50 million views across platforms, launching them as one of the most exciting acts in modern instrumental music.
That momentum carried far. They’ve headlined major events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021 and were invited to design their own “Opalburst” and “Oceanburst” guitars with Canada’s Godin Guitars. Their debut album ‘Lost Fables’ (2016) took them across Canada, New Zealand, and Europe, while follow-up ‘The Hadal Zone’ (2020) featured a collaboration with Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess. The 2022 ‘Fish Food’ EP reimagined tracks from Joe Satriani, Pink Floyd, and System of a Down, and the years since have brought live albums, sold-out European club tours, and standout festival sets across Australia and Europe.
This spring brought their thrilling live show to UK stages for the first time, with raw energy, technical mastery, and rich sonic layers that often make it hard to believe only two musicians are on stage. ‘Temple of the Stars’ captures that same chemistry in studio form, and stands as a confident snapshot of where the duo are right now.