A propulsive and forward-thinking progressive metalcore unit from Birmingham, England, Oceans Ate Alaska formed in 2011 around the talents of James Harrison (vocals), James Kennedy (guitar), Adam Zytkiewicz (guitar), Mike Stanton (bass), and Chris Turner (drums). Taking their name from a mega-tsunami that laid waste to Alaska's coastline in 1958, the hard-hitting quintet's aural assault is as emotionally charged as it sonically pulverizing, invoking names like Born of Osiris, Asking Alexandria, and Between the Buried and Me. The group's debut album, the aptly named Lost Isles, was released in early 2015 via Fearless Records. The following year saw the group play the entire 2016 Vans Warped Tour, and in December they decamped to the studio to begin work on their sophomore LP. In May 2017 they released the single "Covert," followed by the full-length Hikari in July of that year. It would be their first outing with new vocalist Jake Noakes, who took over from James Harrison shortly after the latter's departure in late 2016. ~ James Christopher Monger