Nine Black Alps are an English alternative rock band from Manchester, formed in 2003. The band consists of Sam Forrest (vocals, guitar), David Jones (guitar), James Galley (drums) and Karl Astbury (bass).
Taking its name from "The Couriers", by Sylvia Plath, the band came to prominence with the release of its debut album, Everything Is in 2005. Following the release of the band's second album, Love/Hate (2007), the band parted ways with its label, Island Records, and self-released its third studio album, Locked Out from the Inside, in 2009.
In 2011, bass guitarist Martin Cohen departed from the band to pursue a solo career under the name Milk Maid. Cohen was subsequently replaced by Karl Astbury, with the band releasing its fourth album, Sirens, in October 2012. In April 2014, Nine Black Alps released their fifth studio album Candy For The Clowns on Hatch Records.