Labeled as one of metal's most exciting up and coming acts, Japan-based metalcore outfit Prompts released their first single of the year, leaving no room for disappointment from fans and new listeners. Prompts new single Stranger features none other than The Plot In You’s front man Landon Tewers. If you haven’t already checked it out, Stranger is streaming everywhere now via Greyscale Records.
Redefining genre boundaries, Prompts masterfully fuse elements of nü-metal, mathcore, djent, and deathcore, crafting an unforgiving sound that is both relentless and refined. Stranger is elevated by Landon Tewers' crushing vocal moments, adding raw intensity to an already explosive combination. Stranger is a testament to years of friendship built through touring, culminating in a collaboration that feels both natural and powerful. "Landon immediately understood the world and themes we wanted to express, and conveyed them through each sound and word. Elements like sound techniques we hadn't even thought of were added to the original demo, creating a completed piece of art," tells the band.
The track is about feeling torn between two personalities, and not knowing which version is real. "I lived in Korea for 21 years before moving to Japan, and over time, I became fluent in both languages. But the more I switched between them, the more it felt like my personality changed with each one," says vocalist PK.
"It was confusing and sometimes even scary. I didn’t know which version of myself was real, and it felt like I was losing myself. This song doesn’t have all the answers - I ’m still lost and figuring things out. But I wanted to bring my own experiences to the music, and I hope that people who are going through similar things can find comfort in it and maybe, together, we can find some answers. Do you have a ‘Stranger’ inside you? Let’s figure out how to live with that part of ourselves."
Stranger is Prompts first release of the year, following last year's Edgerunner and Sun Eater, the latter of which came as their first release under the wings of Greyscale Records. Sun Eater made waves with its unique mix of dark and light moments and placed as one of Metal Hammer’s Tracks Of The Week on release and was described as "sonic bedlam".
Featuring members from both Japan and South Korea, the amalgamation of contrasting backgrounds and influences can be heard throughout the Prompts catalogue. Since the bands formation in 2012, Prompts have built strong foundations in Japan, touring with artists to the likes of Kublai Khan, Crystal Lake, The Plot In You, Crossfaith and Stray From The Path as well as playing South East Asia's longest running music festival Pulp Summer Slam earlier last year with Parkway Drive, The Story So Far, La Dispute and more. Prompts kicked off 2024 with a debut Australian tour with The Gloom In The Corner and HEAVENSGATE, and returned in October supporting Diamond Construct around the country.
