REVIEW: Groove metallers Empire Warning unleash 'Destiny'

Groove metal quintet Empire Warning have been major players in the London heavy scene since the early 2010s, winning the city's Metal 2 The Masses finals in 2019 to earn a coveted spot on Bloodstock Festival's New Blood Stage shortly before the pandemic. The Unite & Die EP followed in early 2020, which was played in full over their Bloodstock set, though there's even a couple from their latest EP, Destiny, that were played back during their iconic performance. Destiny dropped at the end of last month, offering a blistering 25 minutes of aural assault, with shades of Machine Head, Lamb of God, Slipknot and other aggressive influences to stake their claim for bigger stages and wider recognition.

Empire Warning - Bloodstock 2019 (full set)

First up is the crushing Be My Victim, with a descending guitar line that introduces the EP, wasting no time in setting the tone in front of a fist-pumping groove and a verse riff that snaps your neck in time to its beat. Lyrically, it's inspired by the 1992 slasher horror Candyman, journeying into the harrowingly depraved mind of the film's title character, detailing his descent into the monster he'd become. In some ways, that opening descending guitar line cleverly complements the character's descent into madness. There's a gnarly breakdown at the end that could have come from a mid-era Machine Head banger that has surely seen some pit violence when it gets played.

Title track Destiny? follows with a majestic, epic opening guitar passage before its unrelenting verse leads into a catchy chorus, showcasing the vocal interplay and contrast between Elsio and Ben. In particular, this vocal work makes the track one of the most memorable and standout numbers from the EP. Yet the beating heart of the song takes on a much more vulnerable and cathartic tone than the blood, guts and slaughter of Be My Victim. It's surely a track that many will be able to relate to as they get to know it. Its lead guitar solos evoke Mark Morton or Matt Heafy shredding at their tasteful best, and really elevate the song before its climactic breakdown that it ends with. Top drawer groove metal, compositionally, musically and lyrically.

Destiny? - official lyric video

The thrashy Just Run, released as the second single before the EP came out in full, keeps up the momentum with bonecrushing pace prior to a powerful, anthemic chorus. The midsection riffs have shades of Lamb of God as part of overall very strong instrumental performance from all members, led by Elsio's charismatic guttural vocal growl. The intro to Peace In The Pain then really shows off the grinding bass tone at the front of the mix, as well as more of Ben's complementary clean vocals later in the song, who carries each gritty, emotive melody with character and grit. Both of these tracks really showcase Empire Warning's knack of writing with melodic undercurrents beneath in-your-face heaviness and razor-sharp tightness.

Sands Of Time closes the EP. Its intro takes on a notably Eastern-sounding guitar phrase, which along with its title momentarily evokes Iron Maiden's Powerslave, at least to my ears, before launching into another fist-pumping, brutal verse. The instrumental unit navigate the key changes from verse to chorus smoothly and naturally, proving once again the strong sense of musicality that Empire Warning can boast. Elsio and Ben team up to showcase their vocal synergy in the choruses and really end the EP on a strong note. Sands Of Time has a different kind of musical quality in these melodic choruses compared to the rest of the release, effectively marking it out as one of the memorable and standout songs from here.

Be My Victim - official lyric video

This EP boasts strong drumming, powerful vocals and impressive guitar/bass work throughout for an end result that is even greater than the sum of its parts. The breakdowns and vocal melodies in particular have made me enjoy revisiting Destiny since it came out, and I can only imagine how well these songs go down at gigs. I'm really hoping to see some of these songs in the live arena this year and imagine a bright future for this band. It's a certainly step up in musicality, production and songwriting compared to previous work, and I'll certainly be keeping tabs on any more new music that might follow this release.

For fans of Machine Head, Slipknot, and Lamb of God

Empire Warning: Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

MN

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