Northants rockers Empyre to release acoustic album of tracks from debut record

Rock quartet Empyre will release a new album next month comprising of acoustic versions of tracks from their debut album.

The Other Side is due out on Friday, April 30, and features nine stripped back and acoustic takes on tracks from 2019’s Self Aware.

It will bring together the acoustic singles Empyre have released in recent months including a piano based version of My Bad and a radio edit of Only Way Out with additional orchestral parts and mixed by Grammy winning producer Mike Exeter.

Lead singer and guitarist Henrik Steenholdt said: “The first time Did and I ever met we sat down with acoustic guitars, our first band was an acoustic rock covers band playing some of our favourite tracks from the ‘MTV Unplugged’ era, and at least half the songs on Self Aware were conceived on an acoustic guitar.

“This is the grassroots of Empyre and our homage to MTV Unplugged which is also reflected in the first two videos we released, Drive and Cut To The Core.

“The affinity with our songs in an acoustic format only grew when the first opportunities to play festivals were often offers to play an acoustic set on a side stage, and therefore as people got to discover us, they discovered our acoustic versions.

“To us The Other Side feels like a perfect pairing to Self Aware.”

Steenholdt is joined in Empyre by lead guitarist Did Coles, bassist Grant Hockley and drummer Elliot Bale.

Empyre have previously performed acoustically ahead of the likes of Eagles and Alter Bridge.

Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, last year Empyre released six singles, 14 music videos, performed live streams and headlined and sold out numerous socially distanced shows.

They also won Classic Rock Magazine’s ‘Track of the Week’ twice and teamed up with Yamaha and Guitar World.

Since the start of this year, they have returned to the recording studio to start work on their second ‘electric’ album.

For more information, visit https://www.empyre.co.ukEmpyre are due to play the following UK shows:

Sunday, May 2 - Sound Bay Festival, Swansea

Sunday, July 25 - Steelhouse Festival, Wales

Saturday, July 31 - SavFest - Nottingham

Saturday, August 28 - Aylesbury ‘Live in the Park’

Sunday, September 12 - Rockin’ The Bowl, Sheffield

Friday, November 13 - HRH ABC, Great Yarmouth

Friday, November 26 – Sunday, November 28 - WinterStorm, Troon, Scotland

Friday, November 4 – Sunday, December 6 - Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay, Wales