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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE: Alfonso Conspiracy 5 Songs That Influenced Them

 

ALFONSO CONSPIRACY is fronted by talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Max James. With a debut album, 'The Explicit//The Exploited', set for release on Friday 5th December, we exclusively caught up with Max and asked him lay down the tracks that have shaped his fiery sound:





Architects - These Colours Don’t Run


"I don’t think the impact of this song and Architects in general can be understated with me growing up. I remember hearing this song when it came out and my older brother put it on and the creepy ambience, the soaring vocals, and of course the breakdown just changed the game for me. It was like a light went off in my head where I was like yeah this is what I love and this is what I do. It's so heavy but so haunting and I still am yet to hear a modern metal song that even slightly touches this."


Nine Inch Nails - Reptile


"Reptile, The Downward Spiral and Nine Inch Nails in general have massively shaped Alfonso Conspiracy since the day I heard them. I was immediately drawn to this song as an inspiration because of how insanely dark and gritty it is. It oozes industrial to the point of it sounding like audio taken straight out of an industrial factory. I still think this is the most industrial song ever made and I feel like I need a shower every time I listen to it…which I guess is a vibe I portray myself."



Sisters Of Mercy - Lucretia My Reflection


"This song really opened up my love for goth music and aesthetic. I think it's a really interesting bridge between goth and industrial, with that snare and mechanical atmosphere. A big thing for this song was the baseline, it was addictive when I discovered it, and it drastically changed my perception of bass and guitar and composing in general. It's such a melodic song but it doesn’t lose any of the moody atmosphere and darkness, I love it and I now utilise the bass so much more, as opposed to just being the lower register, it can guide or lead a song."



Nine Inch Nails - Happiness In Slavery


"I have to give more flowers to Nine Inch Nails. I genuinely don’t think there have been many songs I have created where I haven’t thought about Happiness In Slavery during the process. The aggression in this song is insane, and the bass guitar, percussion and vocals are just so gnarly. I love it and that bridge section is something that was inspired and altered how I compose completely. Bonus flowers to the Woodstock 94 performance too!"


Korn - Freak On A Leash


"We all know this song and I won’t even claim to be the biggest Korn fan. I do love them a lot, but I’m not like die hard knows every song. But the guitar work in this song really shaped Alfonso Conspiracy in recent years, in a couple of ways. I think when you grow up in the era of alternative music that I did, it's really easy to write a heavy part of a song as just open notes, chugs etc. But this song reminds me that it isn’t about how low or “djenty” it is, the breakdown of this song is one of the heaviest breakdowns ever and it’s just these mean bar chords you know? And the verses being on guitar as well, really made me experiment with techniques and effects, all round classic and I can’t pretend it doesn’t greatly influence my sound!"



Alfonso Conspiracy's debut album 'The Explicit//The Exploited' is released Friday 5th December 2025.
The Explicit//The Exploited Album Artwork



The Explicit//The Exploited Track listing: 
1. viral infection; 2. Chimpanzee; 3. Neglect//Harass//Silence; 4. (pathogen); 5. (transmit); 6. vi/ syntheticdzs; 7. Chameleon; 8. WHORE; 9. deeper than that... ; 10. THE GREAT PLAGUE.


Check out Alfonso Conspiracy 'Whore' Music Video Below:

 


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