Asking Alexandria is one of the most popular Metalcore bands of the 21st century. Originating from York, England, they are currently one of the modern faces of the genre, and Sumerian Records flagship band with a rabid fandom and hatedom. Although they traffic on the usual metalcore tropes of screaming vocals and breakdowns, they distinguish themselves by being influenced by 80's Hard Rock and featuring euro influenced electronica sections.
The name Asking Alexandria came from a band formed in the UAE that lead guitarist Ben Bruce was a member of in 2007. They released one album, The Irony of Your Perfection, before Bruce moved back to his native UK and formed a new band with the same name, with members made up of local musicians. The UK band debuted in 2009 with Stand up and Scream. The album was a modest success with it's Electronicore sound, and being boued by the viral success of first single "The Final Episode", it managed to pave the way for later success.
Their sophomore record Reckless and Relentless made them a smash, debuting on multiple charts and turning them into a mainstream, headliner act. This album saw them start to move away from electronic elements, and move towards the addition of hard rock and hair metal elements.Their third album, From Death to Destiny, is not only their greatest success so far, it's also the result of a drastic change in sound and image, almost completely ditching metalcore in favor of hard rock and arena rock with slight metalcore elements. While many older fans have their gripes, this has broken them through almost fully into the hard rock mainstream, with the power ballad "Moving On" being especially successful.
In 2015, singer Danny Worsnop left the band due to his fading interest in metalcore, instead wanting to focus on his 80s rock influenced project We Are Harlot. He was replaced by former Make Me Famous and Down & Dirty singer Denis Shaforostov, better known as Denis Stoff. Their fourth album released the next year in 2016, The Black, is a return to their previous metalcore sound. Later that same year, Denis quit for conflicting reasonsnote , and Worsnop returned to the band.
In 2017, the band released their self titled album, which completely abandoned any remaining elements of metalcore and screamo for hard rock and stadium rock. They also embarked on a tour with Black Veil Brides. In 2020, the band released their sixth album, Like A House on Fire. In 2021, the band switched labels from Sumerian to Better Noise Music, and released their seventh album, See What's on the Inside, later that same year. Their eighth album, Where Do We Go from Here?, released on August 25, 2023, and was perceived as a minor return to their metal roots.
Tropes Associated with Asking Alexandria
- Atomic F-Bomb: The opening lyrics of their debut album are "FUCK THIS!" shouted in gang vocals.
- "Where Did It Go?", the fourth song on their self-titled album has a chorus full of f-bombs.
You're all so fucking outrageous, I can't take it! Motherfuckers more than a little complacent! - Badass Boast: "I AM ROCK AND ROLL! LIVING A LIFE YOU CAN ONLY DREAM OF!"
- Careful with That Axe: Worsnop had a rather demonic screech back in the day, now he can mostly muster a dry hardcore yell. By 2023, he makes use of both.
- Canon Discontinuity: When Danny returned to the band, they stopped playing any songs from Denis' album.
- Drugs Are Good: Some of the lyrics to "Another Bottle Down".You should really try this sometime'cause it feels so good.
- Darker and Edgier: From Death to Destiny qualifies as this in comparison with the band's prior releases.
- Electronicore: A big part of their early sound featured rave influenced breaks in their songs and electronic drum beats. On their second album they started to distance themselves from the genre, with a full break from it as of their third.
- Emo Teen: A big part of their early image (their first album even featured the lead singer of Alesana.) As of Reckless & Relentless they've ditched it for a drunken, hedonistic party image, with beards, unkempt clothing and hair, and leather clothes.
- Intercourse with You: "Not the American Average" and "Take Some Time"
- Last Note Nightmare: "Down to Hell", a rather straightforward rock track, ends with 20 seconds worth of pure audio assault that only could come out of the depths of hell. Fits the theme of the song, huh?
- Life of the Party: The music video for "To The Stage" depicts Danny as this.
- Miniscule Rocking: "Alerion" (2:15), "Welcome" (1:49), "Hiatus" (1:45), "Kill It with Fire" (1:06) "Dedication" (1:03), and "Intro" (0:56).
- The original UAE band had "In Loving Memory of You, Despite You" (1:28) and "Numb in a Matter of Screams" (1:16).
- My God, What Have I Done?: The lyrics of "To the Stage" appear to describe corrupting a "beautiful girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders" only to feel overwhelmingly guilty about it in the aftermath.
- New Sound Album: From Death to Destiny brought in more Hard Rock influences, largely due to Danny growing sick of metalcore. After he left and Denis replaced him, The Black featured more metalcore and electronic influences. Their self titled album took an entire Genre Shift into Arena Rock. Like a House on Fire brought in influences of pop rock and electronic rock. See What's on the Inside delivered more straightforward alternative rock and classic rock sound, while Where Do We Go from Here? included influences of djent and their old metalcore records.
- Ode to Intoxication: "Another Bottle Down" and "White Line Fever" could be seen as this.
- Out-of-Genre Experience: "Not the American Average" was one of their first times playing in a hard rock style (albeit with breakdowns and emo style singing). While it wouldn't sound out of place on their newer records, on the metalcore heavy "Stand Up and Scream" it sounded very out of place, becoming the
black sheep hit of the record.- "Kill It With Fire" is a similar situation. Even though Where Do We Go From Here is a varied record by nature, it seems very sudden to include a punk-oriented track. Bonus points for it not being sung by Danny, but rather by Ben.
- Power Ballad: "Someone Somewhere" was their first, although "Moving On" is a straighter example. Where Do We Go From Here also has the title track.
- Punctuated! For! Emphasis!: OH!!!!!!! MY!!!!!! GOD!!!!!!!!!
- Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll: Most of the lyrics past the first album are this. This is virtually absent after Denis took over lead vocals.
- Take That!: "Undivided" has never been confirmed, but is widely considered to be one Ben wrote about Danny. The spoken word ran by Ben in the middle of the song is outright vicious.
- Vocal Evolution: Worsnop's vocals have changed dramatically due to heavy drug consumption such as alcohol, along with a torn vocal cord in 2012. When they first came out he had a very wide range and a high pitched voice that resembled a British Anthony Green or Craig Owens. Now his voice is much rougher and lower pitched. In fact he can barely sing "Not the American Average" anymore.
- It is however good to note that the lower range he was left with, he has tried hard to improve his ability in. This shows on the Rock Mix of "The Death of Me"
- What Have I Become?: The lyrics of "Until the End" are about this.
