ARTIST: EMPIRE STATE BASTARD
TITLE: RIVERS OF HERESY
RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 1ST 2023
LABEL: ROADRUNNER
REVIEWER: ANDREW TREADWELL
Simon Neil and Mike Vennart first envisioned the idea of Empire State Bastard during downtime on tour with Biffy Clyro. They have stretched their legs in a super aggressive manner. With drumming from Dave Lombardo (/Slayer/Testament), the album is well but not overproduced and shows a band that is super tight and willing to bare emotions
‘Harvest’ kicks off the album, with a dragging chugging riff, the viciousness of this album is most un biffy album, may not be the long term fan favourites but that’s why this isn’t Biffy Clyro.
Tracks like “Moi” will take some by surprise and then you have the grinding fierceness of Palms Of Hands and Elsewhere, which bring so many different colours to the album ‘Sons and Daughters’ paints an picture of the mind with some epic atmospheric vibes that may take a few listens to really appreciate.
Maybe its because this project is truly over 20 years old, the tracks are mature, and feel like that they have not just been slapped together. You know these songs were cared for all the way from their most embryonic form to completion.
My pick for song of the album is ‘Stutter’. It truly rips you open and spills you out on the floor. It just owns you. There are so many twists and turns on this album, so many limits are pushed, but not done to be deliberate and contrived, you can tell its all organic and natural. To appreciate this album, don’t expect to get it on the first listen. Give it time, listen and not just hear, and you will love it.
RIVERS OF HERESY TRACK LISTING:
Harvest
Blusher
Moi?
Tired, Aye?
Sons and Daughters
Stutter
Palms of Hands
Dusty
Sold!
The Looming
RIVERS OF HERESY – OUT NOW
https://esb.lnk.to/RiversOfHeresy
