Empyre - Sheffield 03/05/25

Empyre –

The Local Authority, Sheffield, Saturday 3rd May, 2025

Set List: Relentless/Road to Nowhere/Homegrown/Waking Light/Parasites/My Bad/Forget Me/

Fortitude/Terrestrial/Your Whole Life Slows/Hit & Run/Only Way Out/Stone/New Republic.

Access-wise, I had some stairs to tackle to a lift. I actually found out that there is a door at the side and a ramp for non-ambulant disabled. The staff are fantastic from the door staff and through to management level. It's an extremely helpful organisation. The venue is a traditional rock bar with sticky floors. The place is huge, like a maze of different sized rooms and stages. But it's a great venue.

I thought Empyre to have more of a pull. They have a really good reputation and back catalogue of three albums. But the stage and room was smaller then I expected. My friend is a huge fan and told me to see them, stating that I wouldn't be disappointed. I might get attacked by fans for this, but listening to their music on social media, I made the comparison to Volbeat.

I did an online interview with Empyre and very little personality came through with the answers. so I was a bit worried about this show. The band themselves were setting their up own kit. Where were the roadies to do the sort of thing? A very humble set up. Ok, now I am intrigued.

Time to start! Wow this place has really filled up without me noticing. They opened to 'Relentless'. Great beat, I can feel the drums and base. I love that power and it's a really good sound! 'Road to Nowhere' is next from 2023's 'Relentless', which was their last studio album. They are good, love the drummer, Elliot is brilliant, really good. Keeping that power and tempo, but you can feel every hit.

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The Singer, Henrik has a great growling, guttural voice. Where did that added power come from? He isn't good, he is great and totally wins me over. They slow it down for 'Homegrown' which it builds up to some nice intensity. Did's guitar solo towards the end of the song is awesome! He can really play!

Halfway through the set, we get the standout moment of the whole show (well in my opinion anyway) which is 'Forget Me'. It is this song, this moment where I notice Henrik's voice is tremendous. It pierces the dark with such intense clarity. It is above everything, as though the music has disappeared and it is just him and that voice. The last time I was blown away by a voice was when I first saw Cassyette live. Henrik is a power house and his voice seems to be getting bigger and clearer. The song left me in awe.

The band talked and had a drink, engaged with the crowd, asking for abuse from them because they like that sort of thing. The crowd laughed with them and Did's various sales pitches made us laugh a lot more. So this band has a personality! Fantastic! Even better as it's my sort of humour. I am liking this.

But we are not here to chat and insult the band. They play 'Fortitude' and 'Terrestrial' - new material from an Album yet to be released. A brave choice since it won't be released till 2026! The songs are really well received and extremely well performed. The fans mock-booed the original material choice but clearly enjoyed the songs.

Back to the songs the fans know. 'Your Whole Life Slows' is a slower song that shows off their musical side. 'Hit & Run' is next and his voice reminds me of Neil Diamond. A strange comparison I admit but definitely not an insult. A cracking song. 'Stone' is another good song.

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It's now time for the last song? It's over already! I want more. This gig is so good I don't want it to end. I can't work out why these are not as big as Halestorm or Volbeat. I found the answer with the last song. 'New Republic' is taken from the 2019 Album, 'Self Aware'. Overall, it has a great riff, sing along lyrics and music to dance along to. None of the songs they sang before have all these elements. The crowd are singing and dancing, it's great vibe and that riff! It's a winner. This is why it's the last song since it's a belter!

They need more songs like this because they are a great band, supremely talented but the songs are not ear worms like 'New Republic'. To become bigger they need the ear worm! Right now the songs are good as are the albums but not outstanding. Good gets you mid-sized venues or maybe top bill on a mid sized music festival.

Okay, this is brilliant for fans as they are performing in a more intimate venue is so much better than an Arena. The singing is amazing, the music is amazing! Are Empyre, as a band going to be happy with good though? To be on a bigger stage they need more 'New Republics'! Now the best part, the part that made me love Empyre! Did, Henrick, Grant and Elliott jumped off the stage, set up a table and met everyone at the venue who got autographs and photos alike.

Not only that, a FREE printed lyric sheet. These guys love the fans more than any performers I have seen in a long time. I have seen a lot of bands like Empyre that just leave at the end. These guys must have been tired and sweaty but they wanted to show their love for the people who matter. Kudos to them. It was a fantastic set. They are not just entertainers, they are also really nice people.

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