Prog metal band The Stranger ink deal with labels Octane and Wildthing

Brisbane prog metal group The Stranger have signed with Australian labels Octane Records and Wildthing Records in the lead-up the band's second studio album.

The Stranger released their debut self-titled album in 2017, and have gone on to share stages with fellow metal bands including Caligula’s Horse, Voyager, Ne Obliviscaris, Monuments and The Ocean.

"This is a huge step forward for us and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with some of the best in the Australian metal community moving forward – we are so excited to share this next journey with our fans, new and old," the band said in a statement.

Octane Records launched in 2020, spearheaded by promoter Bailey Graham and music publicist Chris Maric.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be working with Queensland's up-and-coming prog sensations The Stranger, here at Octane Records," Graham said.

"Having spent many months with the band as a member of their management team, as well as their booking agent for Australia and New Zealand, I'm excited to help facilitate the next big step in their growth by utilising every tool and recourse we have at our disposal here at Octane Records."