UK rock band Empyre, who recently signed to Kscope, will release their new album Relentless on 31st March next year, with pre-orders available now at https://empyre.lnk.to/Relentless
They now find themselves alongside the likes of TesseracT, The Pineapple Thief and Envy of None, on a label that has previously released albums from Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree and Tangerine Dream.
‘Joining the Kscope family of artists feels like a validation of us as songwriters. We have a sense of reassurance, and we’re proud to be a part of it.’ states Empyre frontman Henrik Steenholdt.
Widely regarded as one of the hardest working bands of the past few years, Relentless was recorded between pandemic lockdowns and during their previous album’s (The Other Side) release cycle. Once again they encamped at Parlour Recording Studio, Kettering for recording with Neil Haynes, before handing mixing duties to Chris Clancy at Audioworks (Machine Head, Those Damn Crows, Massive Wagons) – who has magnified the band’s dark, emotional, rock sound with an elevated deep richness.
First single and album title track Relentless showcases Empyre’s work ethic and ethos, and musically, the hard rock track will resonate with listeners in their scene. “Relentless, at least in title, reflects Empyre and our level of dedication and ambition. Whilst the album as a whole is not pure hard rock, we felt the best way to introduce it would be with a striking and formidable title track, letting Relentless set the tone in terms of intensity”, the band add.
The single “Relentless” is out now and available on all major streaming platforms and is accompanied by a video directed by GLK Media:
‘We write arena rock and playing arena stages is something we aim for. I won’t be happy until I’m standing on that arena stage’, Henrik adds. With regular comparisons to the likes of Alter Bridge and Soundgarden mutated with Dire Straits and Muse, it’s clear that Empyre’s music was written with the big stage in mind.
Other tracks such as Waking Light and Hit And Run capture the band’s more commercial side, featuring a warm, enveloping sound, while Forget Me showcases the album’s emotive edge, as the haunting, delicate ballad builds to a euphoric ending, a song that would be at home on the arena stage.
Since their debut album Self Aware in 2019, Empyre have won Classic Rock Magazine’s “Track Of The Week” on three separate occasions alongside a ‘High Hopes’ feature, while Kerrang! described their sound as “slick, vast and like the music was written with the help of an architectural blueprint for an arena”. Planet Rock heralded the band as ‘Ones to Watch’, playlisting the tracks ‘New Republic’ (https://youtu.be/wfIH4uPMKIg ) and ‘My Bad’ and on the strength of the 2020 Winter’s End performance immediately booked them for the Planet Rockstock 2021 main stage.
Empyre have also been one of very few rock acts to be featured on ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris’ “Under The Apple Tree” Sessions.
Aside from their high aspirations and determination Empyre are also known for a darkly self-deprecating sense of humour and have proved they have what it takes to stand out from the crowd by delivering an engaging, if unsettling mix of melancholy, hope, and hopelessness, often within the same song.
Track listing:
1. Relentless [03:57]
2. Waking Light [04:36]
3. Parasites [05:18]
4. Cry Wolf [05:28]
5. Hit And Run [04:00]
6. Forget Me [05:48]
7. Silence Screaming [05:01]
8. Road To Nowhere [04:34]
9. Quiet Commotion [06:10]
10. Your Whole Life Slows [03:18]
Relentless will be released on the following formats, with additional bundles and items available exclusively through the Eyesore Merch band store – all are available to pre-order here https://empyre.lnk.to/Relentless
· Limited edition digipack CD version with an alternative cover, featuring 4 bonus tracks
· Limited edition red coloured vinyl LP
· CD
· LP
· Digitally
All pre-orders via the Eyesore Merch band store will receive a hand-signed photo and an exclusive free download of Empyre’s unreleased cover of the David Guetta & Sia track Titanium.
Items available bundled with the various formats include:
· Handwritten lyrics
· The album T-shirt
· A special limited edition Boxed version, designed and hand-treated by the band. Including two tickets for the unique opportunity to join the band at the album listening party event in advance of the album release, plus a USB stick with exclusive album content and more.
EMPYRE LIVE IN THE UK
Empyre are already a firm favourite on the UK live scene, and having had a busy summer playing festivals, the band have acoustic & headline shows and high-profile support tours lined up until the end of the year, including Vintage Caravan (25 – 31st October) & Gun which features a show at the legendary Glasgow Barrowlands. The band add, “This tour has been a long time coming thanks to COVID meddling with its scheduling numerous times, but ultimately it couldn’t have finally landed at a better time for us. We’ve got a new record deal in place with Kscope, a new album just announced, and we’ve got the platform to play our tour audiences plenty of new music. We’re relishing the opportunity to get back on the road and play, especially with a great live band like The Vintage Caravan.”
Empyre are:
Henrik Steenholdt: Vocals and guitar
Did Coles: Lead guitar
Grant Hockley: Bass
Elliot Bale: Drums