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Nowhere To Be Found

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Nowhere To Be Found
Nowhere To Be Found, 2026. From left to right: Migalhas, Vasco, Tiago, Manel, Quintais
Nowhere To Be Found, 2026. From left to right: Migalhas, Vasco, Tiago, Manel, Quintais
Background information
Also known asNTBF
OriginEriceira
GenresAlternative metal
Alternative rock
Post-hardcore
Years active2019 – present
LabelIndependent/Unsigned
MembersManel Gomes
'Migalhas' Rodrigues
João Quintais
Tiago Duarte
Vasco Braz
Websitentbfofficial.com

Nowhere To Be Found (often abbreviated as NTBF) is a Portuguese alternative metal band formed in Ericeira in 2019. Their sound combines elements of post-hardcore, melodic metalcore and modern hard rock with atmospheric production and emotionally driven songwriting.

The band consists of Tiago Duarte (vocals, rhythm guitar), João Quintais (lead guitar), Manel Gomes (bass), Miguel Rodrigues (drums) and Vasco Braz (guitar, programming and keyboards).

Although operating independently, NTBF became known for working with internationally recognised producers and engineers, including Swedish producer Henrik Udd, known for his work with Bring Me the Horizon and Architects, Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Ted Jensen, whose credits include Metallica and Deftones, and mastering engineer Ste Kerry, recognised for his work with Sleep Token and While She Sleeps. Their music has accumulated more than 3 million streams across digital platforms and has been featured by outlets including MTV and CBS.

Their debut studio album is scheduled for release in 2026.

History

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Formation and early development (2018–2019)

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Nowhere To Be Found was formed in Ericeira, Portugal, in 2019 by musicians coming from different local projects and creative backgrounds. From the beginning, the band approached songwriting and production with an emphasis on scale, detail and international collaboration.

The band’s earliest releases were developed through collaborations with internationally recognised producers and engineers. Their first material was produced with Swedish producer Henrik Udd, known for his work with Bring Me the Horizon, Architects and other contemporary metalcore acts. Mastering was later completed by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York, whose credits include Metallica, Muse, Deftones, Green Day and Slipknot. The band’s early material introduced a sound rooted in alternative metal and post-hardcore, while incorporating electronic textures, melodic hooks and polished modern production.

In 2019, NTBF appeared on the North American television programme Sound of the Underground, broadcast by CBS and focused on emerging heavy music artists.[1]

Nowhere To Be Found, 2026

Independent releases and growing visibility (2019–2024)

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Between 2019 and 2024, the band released a sequence of standalone singles instead of pursuing a traditional album rollout. During this period, NTBF gradually developed an audience primarily through live performances, streaming platforms, social media and music video releases.[2][3]

Their single “Traverse” featured Matty Mullins, vocalist of Memphis May Fire, while “Closer” included guest vocals from Emily Lazar of September Mourning and reinterpreted the 2016 song by The Chainsmokers through a heavier alternative metal approach.[4][5][6][7][8]

Several releases received media attention outside Portugal. “The Prey”, featuring Tyron Layley of New Volume, premiered through MTV, followed by the band’s reinterpretation of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” and the single “Hell Must Be Empty”.[9][10][11]

During this period, NTBF performed extensively across Portugal, surpassing 50 live shows and appearing at festivals including Vilar de Mouros and Sol da Caparica. The band also supported international acts such as While She Sleeps and Smash Into Pieces.[12][13][14][15][16][17]

In 2023, NTBF released “Medicate Me”, accompanied by a music video created in collaboration with the Portuguese National Ballet Company. The release continued the band’s interest in combining heavy music aesthetics with visual and performance-based artistic elements.[18]

Throughout this period, the band continued operating independently, developing and producing their material from their studio space in Ericeira.

Debut album (2025–present)

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In 2025, Nowhere To Be Found entered the final stages of production for their debut full-length album, scheduled for release in 2026.

The album is being mastered by Ste Kerry, known for his work with Sleep Token, While She Sleeps, Malevolence and Evanescence. It also features a guest appearance by Jessie Powell, vocalist of the Welsh post-hardcore band Dream State.

The first single associated with the project, “Who We Are”, was released ahead of the album and marked a darker and more expansive direction in the band’s sound.

Musical style and influences

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Sound and composition

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Nowhere To Be Found’s music has been described as alternative metal, melodic metalcore and post-hardcore, while also incorporating elements of electronic rock, ambient textures and contemporary pop production.

The band’s sound is characterised by a contrast between aggressive instrumentation and melodic vocal structures, often balancing distorted guitars and modern metal production with emotionally driven choruses and atmospheric arrangements. [19]

Their evolution across multiple standalone singles has shown a gradual shift from a more accessible alternative rock-oriented sound toward heavier and more expansive arrangements.

Influences

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The band’s sound has been compared to contemporary alternative metal and post-hardcore acts such as Bring Me The Horizon, Bad Omens, Deftones, Dayseeker, and Architects.

NTBF have also cited influences from alternative rock, electronic music and cinematic sound design, contributing to the layered production style present throughout their releases.

Reception

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Nowhere To Be Found live, 2026 Lisbon

NTBF’s independent releases received attention from alternative music publications and digital media outlets, particularly for their production quality and collaborations with internationally recognised artists and engineers. [20]

Several releases premiered through MTV, while the band’s early material was also featured on CBS’s Sound of the Underground.[21][22]

Artistry and creative process

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Lyrics and themes

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All lyrics are written by lead vocalist Tiago Duarte. The band’s lyrical themes frequently explore identity, emotional conflict, isolation, personal transformation and mental resilience, often through abstract or impressionistic writing rather than direct narrative storytelling.

Visual identity and independence

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NTBF write and arrange their music collectively, with members contributing across composition, production and visual direction. The band also operates its own studio space in Ericeira, where they develop demos, rehearsals, live sessions and audiovisual content independently.[23]

Their visual identity combines cinematic imagery, contemporary heavy music aesthetics and themes of emotional tension and isolation.

The band’s artwork and visual direction have involved collaborations with Survival Illustration & Design, a studio previously associated with artists including Mastodon, Parkway Drive and Bring Me the Horizon.[24]

This balance between independence and high-level international production became one of the defining characteristics of the band’s identity.

Band members

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Members

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  • Tiago Duarte – lead vocals and rhythm guitar (2019–present)
  • João Quintais – lead guitar (2019–present)
  • Manel Gomes – bass and backing vocals (2019–present)
  • 'Migalhas' Rodrigues – drums, percussion (2019–present)
  • Vasco Braz - keyboards, programming, backing vocals, rhythm guitar (2025–present)

Timeline

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Discography

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Singles

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Albums

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Industry collaborations

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Members of Nowhere To Be Found are endorsed by instrument and audio manufacturers including PRS Guitars, Orange Amplifiers, EMG Pickups, Zildjian, Ernie Ball, Remo and sE Electronics. [25][26]

The band records and develops much of its material independently from its studio in Ericeira.

References

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  1. ^ "Sounds of the Underground". IMDB.
  2. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found release latest track 'The Prey' alongside CBS TV show debut".
  3. ^ "New video: Nowhere To Be Found - The Prey".
  4. ^ "Premiere: Nowhere To Be Found drops new music video Traverse featuring Matty Mullins from Memphis May Fire".
  5. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found release 'Traverse' featuring Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire".
  6. ^ "Interview: Nowhere To Be Found talk upcoming track 'Traverse' featuring Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire".
  7. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found. 1º Videoclip a 18 de Maio".
  8. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found: banda portuguesa lança cover de "Closer"".
  9. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found: banda nacional apresenta novo single. LOUD!".
  10. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found: The Prey".
  11. ^ "Nowhere to Be Found shares new single 'Blinding Lights'".
  12. ^ "WHILE SHE SLEEPS + NOWHERE TO BE FOUND @ LAV – Lisboa Ao Vivo".
  13. ^ "Reportagem: While She Sleeps e Nowhere To Be Found @ LAV".
  14. ^ "O Sol da Caparica Festival".
  15. ^ "Da intensidade ao entusiasmo: Smash Into Pieces e Nowhere To Be Found no Lisboa Ao Vivo".
  16. ^ "Festival Vilar de Mouros - Artistas: Nowhere To Be Found".
  17. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found abriram segundo dia do Festival Vilar de Mouros".
  18. ^ "NOWHERE TO BE FOUND vão lançar novo single Medicate Me dia 5 de Julho".
  19. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found: Conheça o metal alternativo e stoner rock da banda portuguesa".
  20. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found band review".
  21. ^ "Sounds Of The Underground featuring Nowhere To Be Found".
  22. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found make their TV debut on CBS' new alternative-music show 'Sounds Of The Underground'".
  23. ^ "Nowhere To Be Found accept sE Electronics' challenge and release live EP 'Live From Nowhere'".
  24. ^ "Survival - Illustration & Design".
  25. ^ "SE Electronics artist page".
  26. ^ "Paul Reed Smith guitars artists".
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