Since their last single release Only Way Out’ (Radio Edit) in March Empyre have announced a full UK tour in September with Mason Hill and a double whammy of both acoustic and electric performances at Ramblin’ Man Fair in July. They are also less than a month away from the release of their first acoustic album The Other Side.
Set for release on April 30th along with a celebratory performance of the whole album to a packed house on May bank holiday at their favourite venue ‘The Waterloo’, Blackpool.
In the run up to that release they bring us the new single Too Close (Acoustic) on April 9th. Their furthest foray into Progressive Rock yet, comfortably fusing a vocal driven chorus with an intricate Spanish guitar riff that wouldn’t feel out of place if you heard it on a track by The Police.
The lyrical content is philosophical, melancholic and contemplative, focusing on dealing with the light and dark sides of personality in adversity, reminiscing on times when one has strayed too close to being enveloped by despair.
Exploring the theme of duality and symbolising the strength of character shown in the song to fight the dark, the single cover is a lion, the latest in a succession of lion themed artwork quickly becoming Empyre’s visual motif.
Lead Guitarist Did Coles says of Too Close;
“As humans we’re thrown into this life in pursuit of meaning, bound by a desire to find our place in the world and work out our own purpose, whilst constantly being helped and hindered by complex emotions.
Too Close lyrically explores the contrasting subject of duality; light/dark, love/hate, frailty/strength, the ups and downs inherent in life, the Yin/Yang of struggles and triumphs. It really conveys the depth of feeling that we are blessed and cursed with whilst trying to strike a balance and navigate life. Hopefully listeners will be able to relate to the song on a psychological level and perhaps when listening closely, reflect on their own life experiences”.
With more gigs still to be announced, 2021 looks set to be a great year for a band that was already relentless throughout the global pandemic of the past year seeing them release an incredible 6 singles and 14 music videos, collaborate with Guitar World and Yamaha Music Europe and win Classic Rock Magazine’s “Track of the Week” three times. Empyre are currently back in the studio recording the follow up to their 2019 debut electric album Self Aware.
Tour Tickets: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/mason-hill
Pre-order ‘The Other Side’: https://www.empyre.co.uk
Quotes:
“Everything about Empyre’s beguiling music is colossal sounding” – Planet Rock
“Empyre … sound slick, vast and like the music was written with the help of an architectural blueprint for an arena” – Kerrang!
“Empyre have become masters at taking the formula for British atmospheric rock and infusing it with their arena-ready signature sound” – Guitar World
“No stage is too big for these guys” – BBC Introducing
EMPYRE is:
Henrik Steenholdt – Vocals & rhythm guitar
Did Coles – Lead guitar
Grant Hockley – Bass
Elliot Bale – Drums
Socials & Website:
Website: www.empyre.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EMPYRE
YouTube: www.youtube.com/empyrerock
Instagram: www.instagram.com/empyrerock
Streaming Services: https://awal.lnk.to/selfaware
