UK metallers, Empire Warning, have just announced the release of their latest EP, Destiny, for the 29th of March 2024. The band have also just dropped the lyric video for the record’s lead single and opening track, “Be My Victim.” The video was created by the band’s own bassist, Adam Glenn. Head into the article below to watch it and read more from Empire Warning.
Elsio Torcato, the band’s vocalist, has said that this song is “Inspired by the 1992 slasher horror Candyman. This song journeys into the mind of the title character of the film, detailing his descent into the monster he would become.”
The title track, “Destiny?,” tells a story that will resonate with listeners about life’s unpredictable shifts, specifically between 2019 and 2022. The song explores the question are we predestined to repeat the mistakes of our predecessors? Diving into personal behaviours that remind us of past hurt, asking how far the apple truly falls from the tree? A call for redemption and an end to both internal and family conflict. The third track “Just Run” is a tale of betrayal and broken friendships. It emphasises the anger and rage spawned from an act of cowardice that caused history to repeat itself. The penultimate track “Peace In The Pain” focuses on the loss of a loved one, taking us on the journey of grief and how the living can sometimes act as vultures, stealing from the dead. The EP comes to an epic conclusion with “Sands Of Time,” a song that was written during the height of the pandemic. It explores the feelings of isolation and fear during that time.
Destiny was engineered by Paul Visser of Black Orchid Empire at The Recording Studio London, where the band recorded the drums and the bass. However, Empire Warning has a very hands-on approach to their music and were heavily involved in recording the guitars, bass, and vocals themselves. Ben Stratford (guitar/backing vocals) states, “After the writing process, we began pre-production ourselves, refining the songs, creatively being subjective, and making the hard choices without being precious about parts we loved that didn’t serve each song.”
Destiny tracklisting:
01 Be My Victim
02 Destiny?
03 Just Run
04 Peace In The Pain
05 Sands Of Time
The EP’s artwork departs from previous themes, portraying a tarot-style card and the Grim Reaper, symbolising the band’s statement: we are only destined to die, so seize the moment and live. Tattoo artist Michelle Walsh brought this powerful imagery to life.
More from Empire Warning:
Forged in Shepherd’s Bush, London, 2008, Empire Warning began their journey of perseverance, growth, and musical evolution. The quintet set out to create their unique fusion of old-school metal and modern twists. The band’s early EP, Heil To The Rat King (2013), captured the essence of the band’s beginnings, while Unite And Die (2019), a pivotal moment in the band’s history, received acclaim from fans and press alike.
The band faced challenges in the search for a drummer; however, in 2018, Jordan Turner completed the lineup, setting the stage for their triumphant victory at London’s Metal 2 The Masses competition in 2019. When the world went into a global lockdown, the band utilised the time to refine their sound, write new material, and produce an EP that truly represents the core values of the band.
Lineup:
Elsio Torcato – Vocals
Ben Stratford – Guitar and Backing Vocals
Grant McCallum – Guitar
Adam Glen – Bass
Jordan Turner – Drums
Follow Empire Warning:
https://www.facebook.com/EmpireWarning
https://www.instagram.com/empirewarning/
https://youtube.com/@Empirewarning
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6C981RyBU9bfcVrCS9AK8N
https://empirewarning.bandcamp.com/album/unite-die