Guitarist Ben Bruce originally formed the band in Dubai. Realizing opportunities for hard rock acts in the U.A.E. were limited, he returned to England for Asking Alexandria Mark II. 2009's debut Stand Up and Scream featured huge metalcore guitars mashed together with electronic beats, a hint of '80s metal, and Danny Worsnop's growling vocals. Their sound got progressively heavier, harder, and rockier with each subsequent album, while the departure of Worsnop in 2015 heralds an exciting new era for AA.