Denis Stoff

Denis Shaforostov
Shaforostov performing as a part of Asking Alexandria at Rock Am Ring festival 2015.
Background information
Birth name	Denis Alexandrovich Shaforostov
Also known as	Denis Stoff
Born	(1992-05-04) 4 May 1992 Donetsk, Ukraine
Genres	Metalcore, electronicore
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Years active	2010-present
Labels	Sumerian Records
Associated acts	Asking Alexandria, Down & Dirty, Make Me Famous

Denis Alexandrovich Shaforostov (Ukrainian: Денис Олександрович Шафоростов; born 4 May 1992),^[1] also known by his stage name Denis Stoff, is a Ukrainian musician and is the former vocalist of the British metalcore band Asking Alexandria. Shaforostov showcased an early interest in music through his YouTube channel "above92" which contains vocal and guitar cover videos of songs dating back to as far as 2008. He furthered the momentum of his YouTube popularity through the formation of Make Me Famous. After Make Me Famous broke up, he founded Down & Dirty before leaving to join Asking Alexandria.

Music career

2010–2012: Make Me Famous

The first major project Shaforstov involved himself in was metalcore act Make Me Famous which he helped form in 2010 with members Serj Kravchenko on lead vocals, Sergei Hohlov on bass, Dusty Boles on drums and Igor Yestrebov on guitar.^[2] The band gained recognition on the video sharing website YouTube, where Shaforostov previously released covers of songs and would eventually gain members after contacting each musician after gaining a following.^[3] The band released their debut album in March 2012 via Sumerian Records and successfully charted in the US top 200, peaking at 151.^[4][5]

In late 2012, Shaforostov had announced that he had quit the band, which itself had announced to be disbanded after their final headlining tour that same year, officially disbanding in early 2013.^[6]

2012–2015: Down & Dirty

After the news arose that Make Me Famous had broken up, Shaforostov quickly announced a new band named Down & Dirty. The band was officially announced under the Sumerian Records label like his last project, and released their first single and music video in December 2013 titled "Move It".^[7] The band also released a second single and music video in December 2014 titled "I Will Never Lose My Way".^[8] After these songs, Shaforostov later announced he would be joining Asking Alexandria, which was followed by Down & Dirty confirming he was no longer a part of the group.^[9]

2015–2016: Asking Alexandria

On 22 January 2015, lead singer Danny Worsnop announced his departure from Asking Alexandria to focus on his new band We Are Harlot, of which it was quickly stated that his replacement was already found.^[10] On 26 May 2015, Shaforostov was officially announced as the new lead vocalist when they released their first single together titled "I Won't Give In" on 27 May.^[11] Speculation regarding Shaforostov's involvement started shortly after Worsnop's departure due to similarities between Asking Alexandria and Make Me Famous (who were said to have been ripping off the band's); the fact that they were label mates would have made the transition easy for Shaforostov to make, and on his personal YouTube account he had covered multiple Asking Alexandria songs.^[11][12] Ben Bruce was asked if he considered anyone else for the role and he stated that "it has to be Denis" before praising his vocal ability. When Shaforostov himself was asked how he would distinguish himself from Worsnop, he stated he would not make any comparison since he is a completely different person.^[13]

On October 21, 2016, it was announced that Shaforostov left Asking Alexandria due to a lack of communication. Ben Bruce explained that after a long period of time of not communicating with the band, Stoff stated, "Asking Alexandria does not exist unless I get what’s owed to me". Stoff was replaced by Danny Worsnop, the previous and original lead vocalist who Stoff replaced.

Discography

Albums

With Make Me Famous

• Keep This in Your Music Player (2011)
• It's Now or Never (2012)

With Asking Alexandria

• The Black (2016)

With Cat!Cow!MilkyWay!

• Demo (2009)

Singles

With Down & Dirty

• Move It (2014)^[7]
• I Will Never Lose My Way (2015)^[8]

With Asking Alexandria

• I Won't Give In (2015)^[11]
• Undivided (2015)^[14]
• The Black (2016)^[15]

As featured artist

• Limitless - Crown the Empire in 2011 on their debut EP "Limitless" ^[16]
• #OIMATEWTF - Capture the Crown in 2012 on their album 'Til Death
• Sink Your Teeth Into This - Conquer Divide (2015)^[17]
• Lucid Dreams - Forever In Combat (2015)^[18]

References