While often dubbed as a band purely belonging to the nu-metal revival, Bristol’s Profiler are by no means a band deserving of the scorn some may apply to the genre or its resurgence. Far removed from the brutish ignorance that many still associate with the genre, Profiler take the adolescence energy synonymous with the nu metal sound and it use it as a source of energy to power ruminations on self, relationships and how such things connect to the world at large. The band’s new EP Masquerading Self proves this wonderfully.
A musically progressive record that binds the sound of nu-metal revivalism with subtle motifs of grunge and post-hardcore, Masquerading Self uses its direct, immediate and bedlam inducing sound to explore everything from intricacies of relationship dynamics to mankind’s eternal connection to mother nature. It’s a frank and chaotic record, one designed to cause nowt but mayhem in a live setting, but one that offers significant substance beneath the bedlam.
With that mind, and with Masquerading Self out today independently, we got in touch with the band to break down the EP, track by track.
Illusion
“Masquerading Self is a massive step up for us, written by Michael Evans and Joe Johnson. This EP is a deliberate, heavier shift from A Digital Nowhere, helping us really find our own sound. It was a seriously collaborative effort by all four of us, with Jacob Andrews and Jay Evans absolutely crushing it on their parts. This is also our first time releasing something completely on our own. A huge shoutout and massive thanks go to our producer, Tom Cory—seriously, his magic shaped the sound of this whole thing. On the visual side, the whole band chipped in: Joe directed and edited all the music videos and visuals, while Mike handled the graphic design, artwork, and all the branding. Masquerading Self is a powerful statement, and we’re buzzing that this is the start of a wild new chapter for the band.
‘Illusion’ really dives into the messy, darker side of intense romantic crushes—that whole all-consuming feeling before and during a relationship. The track basically tears apart how attachment driven by ego can be insidious, suggesting that when we desperately cling to our romantic ideals and desires, it’s actually setting us up for pain. It’s a challenge to the listener to look past the ‘rush’ of new love and see the emotional trap it can become. Musically, it’s a non-stop, fast, “in-your-face” heavy banger that perfectly captures the frantic, overwhelming feeling of being caught up in that kind of intense emotion. It’s the sound of the conflict between crazy desire and the painful reality that comes with being attached.”
Dope
“‘Dope’ totally shakes things up, marking a raw and definitive new chapter for the band. It’s darker, heavier, and just completely soaked in intense emotion. The whole track is built on these massive riffs and a truly fierce, unbridled vocal delivery that grabs you right away. Lyrically, ‘Dope’ isn’t pulling any punches, diving into stuff like manipulation, mind control, and the grueling fight to survive when you’re caught up in a seriously toxic relationship.
This song gets deeply personal, giving us a look into the mind-games that chip away at your self-worth. Mike breaks down the core idea: ‘Dope’ is specifically about gaslighting and the messed-up techniques people use to disorient and control someone in a toxic dynamic. It’s a completely honest take on the terrifying experience of getting lost in someone else’s story—to the point where your own reality feels warped—but the key thing is, it’s all about the battle and the ultimate win of taking back your power, your identity, and your sense of truth.
The emotional weight of the lyrics is totally matched by the music, which swings between moments of crushing, dense aggression and pockets of uneasy, atmospheric tension, perfectly mirroring the volatile nature of the relationship it’s describing.”
Waste
“‘Waste’ is a seriously deep track all about how toxic manipulation can just wreck a relationship. The whole story follows a person’s tough but ultimately awesome journey to finally realise their own worth—a massive lightbulb moment that only happens when they actually slow down and look inward.
We get so caught up in the external chaos and the ridiculous demands of the world, and honestly, all that outside pressure and negativity is what causes a ton of our problems. This constant looking outward makes us miss the quiet, solid strength we have inside.
So, ‘Waste’ is basically a huge anthem for radical self-acceptance and the quiet, monumental win of discovering yourself instead of falling for external lies.”
Luciferian
“‘Luciferian’ is kind of the lyrical twin and flip side to ‘Dope’. While ‘Dope’ dug into one kind of messed-up relationship dynamic, ‘Luciferian’ focuses on that more sneaky, subtle way another person can project negative vibes. This track is super personal, exploring how vital it is to trust your gut—that totally undeniable inner voice—when you’re stuck in a relationship that’s just corrosive or bad for you. It’s a heads-up about that internal battle when your heart wants to ignore what your intuition is screaming: you’re with the wrong person, and they’re seriously draining your energy and dimming your light.”
Upgrade
“This track is talking about the evolution of artificial intelligence and about the fear of what that could mean for the future of the human race. It’s themed around the idea of a neural link which may be the natural revolution of mankind.
‘Upgrade’ really digs into the runaway train of AI and all the deep-seated worry about what it might do to humanity’s future. The whole track revolves around the fascinating—and frankly, kind of scary—idea of a “neural link,” which is basically your brain hooking up seamlessly with tech.
The song’s music and words play with the push and pull between the cool stuff, like instant knowledge and turbo-charged thinking, and the risk of losing what makes us us—our humanity or individuality—to this powerful, networked brain. ‘Upgrade’ questions whether this fusion is the ultimate glow-up for the human race or just a super fancy way of becoming subservient. It’s a lyrical and sonic deep-dive into the ethical tightrope walk of swapping out the natural self for a programmed, technologically “upgraded” existence.”
888
“‘888’ dives into how connected we are to the natural world—it’s not just a connection, it’s a fundamental, give-and-take relationship. The main idea is that we’re not some separate thing from the divine source of creation; we’re actually a core, inseparable part of it. That raw, untamed power of nature is the perfect symbol for this whole concept.
The track really got its start during my solo trips. Being alone and totally immersed in new, often wild places just ramped up my awareness. When you’re by yourself in the middle of a massive natural environment—think desolate mountains, huge oceans, or old-growth forests—it’s like a spiritual switch flips. All the fake stuff from modern life just melts away, letting you tap into a pure, direct connection with the earth’s energy.
The number 888, often symbolizing endless abundance and spiritual awakening, mirrors the song’s theme. The track captures the feeling of profound recognition: realizing the life force within is the same one that powers the universe—stars, trees, and tides. It’s an anthem about rejecting separation and claiming our inherent divinity as co-creators in the natural world.”