THE continuing rise of hotly-tipped Southampton goth-punks Creeper continues unabated with the release of their new EP The Stranger planned for February 19.

Their second release for Roadrunner Records UK, it follows the critically acclaimed The Callous Heart EP which is now entirely sold-out on vinyl.

The band’s 2015 highlights included tours with Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, The Misfits, Funeral For A Friend, Moose Blood and Twin Atlantic; and they also burst onto the festival circuit at Download, the Vans Warped Tour UK, 2000 Trees, Hevy and Camden Rocks.

Further big news is also confirmed from within the Creeper camp. Guitarist Sina Nemati has decided to leave the band in order to concentrate on his sound engineering career in London. In his place comes guitarist Oliver Burdett, while band’s live keyboardist Hannah Greenwood, who also played on The Callous Heart, joins the ranks as Creeper’s sixth full-time member.

They join a band that vocalist Will Gould and guitarist Ian Miles formed from the fading embers of cult hardcore favourites Our Time Down Here. The line-up is completed by bassist Sean Scott and drummer Dan Bratton.

“We support Sina’s decision, want to thank him for starting this journey with us and wish him the best,” says Gould.

Their first headline tour begins as a sextet commences in February and they support Neck Deep at Southampton’s 02 Guildhall on April 16.

“Oliver is a really nice fit, and as we all know each other so well, seems really natural. Hannah is one of our best pals and incredibly talented – it feels long overdue and awesome to finally have her officially in the band. We hope you guys welcome Hannah and Oliver, and are as stoked as we are about next year.”