Stake

Originating from Wevelgem, Belgium, the rock band Stake layers atmospheric depth and quirky nuances across their dense sludge rock foundation. Previously operating as Steak Number Eight, they ended that chapter in 2017 after a series of farewell concerts that led into an open-ended pause. Instead of resuming under the prior name, the musicians rebuilt their approach from scratch while keeping the same members—Brent Vanneste on guitar and vocals, Joris Casier on drums, Jesse Surmont on bass, and Cis Deman on guitar—yet reshaping their sound enough to warrant a complete reset. They joined Hassle Records in 2019 and issued their first single, “Catatonic Dreams,” early in the year. Later that same year the group delivered their initial full-length album, Critical Method.