Review Summary: Erase UnderOath, there’s a new kid in town!
Empty are a relatively unknown post-hardcore band from South Carolina. Their debut album Hope & the Loss of It was released in September 2019 through Solid State Records, who have a decent roster of Azusa, Norma Jean, Oh, Sleeper to name a few.
This is a seriously fun album from start to finish with memorable choruses, impressive vocals and enjoyable riffs throughout. The album displays many genres including post-hardcore, metalcore, rock and even pop influences throughout.
Gary Spears is a beast of a vocalist, performing both clean and harsh vocal duties. Due to the contrasting styles you’ll likely be amazed it’s not two different vocalists. Not many people could pull off such a feat, sounding similar to both Spencer Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie from UnderOath. Shane Told of Silverstein comes to mind of having such a talent, albeit years more experience.
From the opening of the title track, it all kicks off within 30 seconds. Less than a minute passes before the first chorus “My life passes through my hands, after years of ambitions and dreams”. A fun and energetic start to Empty’s debut album.
After the heavy first two tracks, Trech showcases the bands talent in a more dark, slower, atmospheric vibe until half way through when the harsh vocals bring back their post-hardcore sound.
I maybe giving this album high praise, however it’s not without its faults. The final track is slightly too long imo and doesn’t really go anywhere, also the somewhat emo lyrics within Prototype for Breathing of “I feel your breath against my skinny legs” and “I cannot see the end” are somewhat immature. For such a new relatively young band I can excuse there exuberance.
Empty could be compared to bands such as UnderOath (Prototype for Breathing, From a Chemists Point of View), Beartooth (Do not let me sink, Underneath the wreckage) and Incubus (similar singing techniques to Brandon Boyd are showcased on Trench, Slow Death by Fluorescent Lighting and the slowest song on the album Life & Limb).
Hope & the Loss of it can be considered as a resounding success. I’m looking forward to seeing how this exciting prospect progresses in the future given this is their debut record.
