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‘Self Aware’, the long-awaited debut album from fast-rising Northampton outfit, Empyre, is an intricate, slow-burning offering. Full of inventive subtleties that help it rise up from what is already a bulging sack of “next big things” plying their trade on the live circuit.
The shimmering guitars on opener ‘My Bad’ for instance. Where the majority of bands might kick the doors in on the opening track, Empyre let the anticipation build with the aid of a truly gorgeous guitar tone from Did Coles (which eventually develops into a stunning Dave Gilmour-meets-Mark Knopfler solo). Vocalist Henrik Steenholdt has a deep, intense voice, which at times brings to mind artists as far apart as Eddie Vedder and Mark Tremonti. He sings with what seems like great sorrow, especially on the dark tones of ‘Stone’ (which again features some incredible guitar fireworks from Cole). There is a lot of hurt here, on a fiery track that seems deeply personal.
The fucked-up state of the world in current times fuels the anger on ‘New Republic’, a smouldering track which features multiple twists and turns, before exploding into an almighty Audioslave-like finale. Some top basslines from Grant Hockley throughout, likewise, also on ‘Too Close’ and ‘Drive’ where he teams up with drummer Elliot Bale to create some meaty grooves. ‘Just A Ride’ hints that it’s going one way, before it takes a shift to the left and goes in the opposite direction. Some bands might have picked this moment to launch a stadium filling anthem, but Empyre choose to let the track breath, and develop into . A tad more uplifting and hopeful than those preceding it… “Sometimes the world will make you want to hide, but don’t be afraid, it’s just a ride”.
‘Only Way Out’ has Empyre turning it down a notch or two, in favour of a mix of gentle acoustic strumming, and heartfelt electric guitar licks. Steenholdt puts in a towering vocal performance on a track that really ought to have American radio stations drooling. The gradual build up towards the atmospheric ending is sublime, and even with the six minute running length, the listener is never bored. Staying with the American connection, someone has emailed ‘Cut To The Core’ to every college radio station in the US right? These guys are fed up waiting on the Followill brothers reconvening Kings Of Leon, the perfect time for Empyre to steal on in there.
‘Too Little Too Late’ has a fantastic drum groove from Elliot Bale, and at times, you have no idea which turn the track will take. Crunching grooves; wailing guitar breaks; fat bass, it truly has it all. At times on ‘Something Remains’ Steenholdt unleashes his inner Neil Fallon and the track has a slight sludgy Clutch feel to it, again, Empyre mixing it up. The seven minute behemoth that is ‘Homegrown’ ends ‘Self Aware’. Light and airy to begin with, dark and sinister in the middle, towering towards the end, you could throw the “grunge” tagline in there if so desired, but the end result is way more than simply an Alice In Chains tribute. Powerful stuff indeed.
‘Self Aware’ is as broad an album that you are as likely to hear from a fledgling band this year. Surprises galore on an album which at times leaves you wondering what awaits you around the corner. With the birth of so many modern American rock festivals, there is surely a place for these guys?
Available now, more information here.
Review – Dave
