Massive thanks to Stone Sea for taking the time to sit down with The Riff Report ๐ค๐ฅ
Top chats, cracking stories, and serious passion for the craft โ exactly the kind of energy we love championing. Itโs always a buzz digging into the riffs, the graft, and the madness behind the music, and you lot delivered in spades. Absolute pleasure getting your words out there for the readers, mun.
Best of luck with everything coming up โ new tunes, loud shows, and whatever chaos youโre about to unleash next. Weโll be watching from the barrier with a grin on our faces ๐๐ธ
Cheers again.
ORIGINS & MYTHOLOGY
- Letโs start at the beginning โย how did Stone Sea come crashing into existence?
It came about quite naturally. To start with, my parents named me Elvis (laughs), so I guess music was unavoidable. I started guitar lessons at 11, and pretty quickly I just wanted to do what my idols were doing. Noise became a way for me to express myself, and through that, to understand myself better. Stone Sea is basically the result of never stopping that process.
- The nameโs got weight to it. What doesย Stone Seaย actually mean to you?
Stone represents the fixed elements of life: the body you inhabit, family, memoriesโthings that simply are. Sea represents constant change and transformation. Together, they also reflect our music: rooted in heavy, Sabbath-like foundations, but always shifting, evolving, and mutating.
- Was this always meant to be aย proper band, or did it start as a โletโs just see what happensโ situation?
Always wanted to be a proper band, even with my teenage mentality at the time (laughs).
- Who in the band secretly knew this would slapโฆ and who needed convincing?
I can easily be at both spots as thereโs a part of me thatโs extremely sceptical and the other one never gives up.
ย SOUND, RIFFS & HEAVY ATMOSPHERE
- How would you describe your sound to someone who likes itย loud, emotional, and slightly unhinged?
โtsup dude, I think I just found a pretty good soundtrack for your life.โ
- What bands get name-checked when people hear you for the first time?
People often mention Alice in Chains, but I also heard Nirvana, Soundgarden and Black Sabbath.
- Are you more about groove, doom, melody, or controlled chaos?
I think all these names are very self-describing on the same amount (laughs). I guess weโre a balanced mix.
- Which song best represents Stone Seaย right now?
Age of Tears. Itโs very honest, complex and heavy af.
ย SONGWRITING & THEMES
- Where do your lyrics come from โ personal stuff, big feelings, or staring into the abyss at 2am?
(laughs) Once again, a perfect mix, but Iโm probably more attracted by the abyss.
- Is there a track that still hits you hard when you play it live?
Mistify. Since we started playing it, there hasnโt been a gig without it.ย
- Do songs start with a riff, a mood, or someone saying โhear me outโฆโ?
It can be any of those, but usually it starts with a melody in my head, which probably makes me the โhear me outโ guy. ย
- How brutal is the editing process โ do you kill your darlings or let them run wild?
It depends on whether weโre tight on time or not. Some things may be left out there, and overtime they may sound quite cool โ like the guitar feedback when the distorted section ends on Flow Upstream.
ย LIVE SHOWS & CROWD ENERGY
- Describe a Stone Sea gig in three words.
Hard-hitting, groovy and drifty.
- Which track always flips the switch in the room?
Lately itโs Age of Tears. Itโs also the last song before I drop the guitar to the low string.
- Best crowd reaction youโve had so far?
At our last gig, after playing Left to Be, people started chanting the chorus over and over. It was so worthy.
- Any on-stage chaos, near disasters, or โhow did we survive that?โ moments?
Plenty of technical scaresโbroken strings, tuning issuesโbut somehow everything always holds together just enough to finish the set (laughs).
ย SCENE, COMMUNITY & SUPPORT
- Whatโs your take on the current rock/metal scene where youโre based โ thriving or still slept on?
There are way more great bands than I expected, but the scene around Mรกlaga and the Costa del Sol is still limited. There arenโt many venues for original musicโmost places only want cover bands, which makes it tough.
- Which bands should everyone be checking out right now?
Definitely Plastic Woods and Red Eye.
- How important is the DIY/community side of the scene to you?
Itโs essential. Any active scene needs DIY energy. Projects like Sonido Custom and Stoner Club are doing invaluable work, and Iโm really glad to recently connect with them.
- Best venue youโve played so far โ and why?
I love spaces that donโt feel like traditional venuesโfestival-style setupsโbut Cochera Cabaret in Mรกlaga was a great place to play.
ย RECORDING, RELEASES & WHATโS NEXT
- What have you been working on lately โ new songs, new recordings, new headaches?
All of the above (laughs). Weโre finishing our seventh new song and plan to hit the studio soon.
- Are we getting singles, an EP, or something bigger on the horizon?
For sure, count on singles leading up to an album!
- How do you want people toย feelย when they hear your latest material?
Surprised! In a good way, of course (laughs).
- Any dream gigs, festivals, or support slots youโre manifesting?
Weโve been dying to get to Desertfest, Sonic Blast. Always felt we belong.
ย THE IMPORTANT STUFF (OBVIOUSLY)
- Pre-gig ritual?
Lots of stretches and a little beer to ease the mind.
- Post-gig food of choice?
Ainโt always a question of choice, but a kebab is always open.
- Whoโs always late to practice?
Nobody, weโve been very punctual surprisingly.
- Whoโs the biggest gear nerd in the band?
None of us, reallyโwhich probably explains our live soundโฆ unless the engineer saves us (laughs). โ Donโt get me wrong, I got my funky setups. ย
ย QUICKFIRE RIFF ROUND
- Studio perfection or live chaos?
Uffโฆ Iโm guilty of both, sorry.
- Big riffs or subtle textures?
Damn, will all these questions be like that?
- Dark and heavy or loud and cathartic?
Yes, they will.
- One word to describe Stone Sea in 2026.
Bold (dna is a bitch)
ย FINAL SHOUT
- Why should someone whoโs never heard Stone Seaย come see you live immediately?
Because I (not so secretly) added it to your list of things to do before you die.
๐ Official Hub
Linktree (everything in one tidy place):
๐ https://linktr.ee/stonesea
This is your one-stop portal โ socials, streaming platforms, videos, and whatever else the band decides to unleash next.
๐ธ Instagram
๐ https://www.instagram.com/stoneseaband/
Behind-the-scenes chaos, gig snaps, and that โwe might melt your speakersโ energy.
๐ Facebook
๐ https://www.facebook.com/stoneseamusic/
Gig updates, announcements, and proper old-school community vibes.
โถ๏ธ YouTube
๐ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcs8EaseUCOzPNGDibWXtZw
Live footage, visuals, and proof that these riffs hit even harder when you can see them.
