First off, this is not the
Empire that features Tony Martin, Don Airey, Mark Boals, etc. This is
Empire from Baltimore USA, playing straight ahead hard driving rock with the vibe of the L.A. Sunset Strip.
These guys bring all the fun elements to the table on this record, complete with pop style hooks, hair metal vocalizing, the riff driven guitar styling put together with an interesting mix of material. Opening up with
"Leeches" being a lyrical finger in the face to the record industry showing the humorous side to the band, however, the keyboard riff is dangerously close to
"Rainbow in the Dark." While many of the cuts represent a raucous rock stature, tracks such as
"Tiger Claws," the blues relevant
"Told Your Momma," and the barroom brawl of
"American Wet Dream" that comes complete with a sax solo, initiate Leeches' straightforward rock cuts while ballads like
"You're Right Son (She's Gone)" and
"Are you there for Love" tend to round out the record's circle of diversity.
The musicianship is in-tact and all the elements of the classic metal vibe are there, but there is typically nothing new here, and some of the songs can get cheesy at times, regardless, it shows that the songwriting skills within the catchy choruses keep their composition abilities up to par, and if you want to indulge in some pop metal, this record is worth checking out, and I have to hand it to these guys, they have a grasp on what they are doing, but there is room for growth.
Written by
Hashman Thursday, August 19, 2004
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