Empyre what a night we were treated to in a “Sold Out” Bannermans for the 2nd night of a 6 night 3 week Friday/Saturday night tour around the UK.

Review by Gary Roebuck Images By Callum Roebuck

Just where to start well WOW what a night we were treated to in a “Sold Out” Bannermans for the 2nd night of a 6 night 3 week Friday/Saturday night tour around the UK.

Kicking us off on a rollercoaster 2 hours of rock we had “Ethyrfield” a 3 piece who’ve now been together just over 10 years and comprising of brothers Zach(lead vocals/bass), Ben(lead guitar/backing vocals) and Dan on (drums) these  lads had travelled the length of Britain from Devon to “Auld Reekie” for our pleasure.

A 6 song 35 minute pitch/note perfect set opened with “Egomania” and the stage was set. Taking tunes from debut album “In Delirium” and giving only the 2nd outing to some new tunes culminating in a duo of tunes with “Overgrown” being followed by set closer the lung bursting, ear shattering  power packed 9 minute “Phantom” this is one tune to look out for when these guys deliver their new album set for later this year.

Guys it was a pleasure to speak with you prior to and post gig and I wish you all the best for the future due to your energy,drive and passion.

The stage was then set the crowd eager and the Northampton based “Empyre” sure did deliver.

Having witnessed the openers play to a healthy audience it certainly had the venue at capacity full as the first cords of album opener  “Relentless” opened the second night of the “Waking Light” tour and this 90 minute gig was off and running.

“Road to Nowhere” and this is a road that these guys won’t be taking in future was a sublime follow up before the  3rd tune of the night “Homegrown” from first album “Self Aware”had already set the mood on tonight and crowd participation was evident throughout the openers.

We were then treated to the tour titled track the aforementioned “Waking Light” and wow what a reception this got.

“Mid set” and throughout we then had Henrik and Did giving the crowd a good bit of banter and sledging which was returned and received unapologetically – this I have to say was highly amusing.

“Forget me”, new song “Fony” and this will not be its final title and an absolutely stonking rendition of French DJ and producer David Guetta “Titanium” showed that these guys have the mettle to deliver an anthem as huge as this and do it to a T.

Unfortunately a gig as power packed as this had to end and what a trio of tunes to close with a quite stunning version of “New Republic”, “Stone” and set closer “Only Way Out” showed that the guys although touring the “Waking Light” album could close with 3 tunes as huge as these from their earlier release.

Giving credit to the rhythm section of the band these guys more often than not don’t get the credit they richly deserve but with “Elliott” leading the line on drums backed by the unassuming “Grant” on bass these lads are as classy an act as any.

This leads me to the camaraderie that “Henrik” on vocals/guitar and “Did” on lead guitar exude –  what is there to say but what a duo – the power these lads released from their 2 guitar assaults on our ears throughout was a pleasure to behold and the customary anthemic choruses backed up by the fan participation involved would leave no-one short-changed and I can safely say that they will deliver an absolutely top dollar gig wherever they play in future.

The stage is set “Empyre will “Strike Back” and I will be there for it.

These guys are a pleasure to behold and are a surefire certainty to be playing larger venues in the not too distant future.

Until the next time – Adios Gazza.