Aliases

Aliases are a UK metal group active from 2010. The line-up forms around ex-SikTh guitarist Pin, with guitarist Leah Woodward, drummer Darren Pugh, and bassist Joe Heaton. The band’s early vocalist for its first release is Jay Berast, who is based in Paris.

Style and approach

The group works in djent, mathcore, metal, and progressive metal, and presents itself as a project interested in pushing metal beyond a single genre. Pin describes the band’s aim as developing the music and vocals in an organic way and avoiding the usual constraints of style.

Early activity and releases

Aliases forms in April 2010 and quickly begins work on a debut six-track EP. In July of the same year, the band puts out the rough demo track “We Should Never Have Met”, which receives a strong online response. Their first release, Safer Than Reality, appears on Basick Records in 2011.

Live profile and label interest

The band receives an invitation to play Euroblast Festival in Cologne, where its live performance helps establish its reputation. Basick Records then signs the group after hearing the demos and seeing the band perform at Euroblast in Germany. The label’s Nathan ‘Barley’ Phillips says the project stands out for its technical approach and for the quality of the musicians involved.

Line-up background

Pin says finding the right players is central to the project. He searches for a vocalist for three years after SikTh ends, including an attempted US recruitment that results in deportation, before working with Jay Berast. Darren Pugh and Joe Heaton join from the Manchester band Veils, and Leah Woodward is noted as a guitarist whose style complements Pin’s own playing.