Upon the demise of Welsh outfit Attack! Attack!, many thought that the bands former members would simply fade into the background, as is so often these days. However, Neil Starr and Will Davies decided that because this door had closed, another one had opened and it was in the shape of States and Empires. The band may only be a year old, but this rock trio are shaping up to do very well indeed. They’ve taken a variety of influences, mainly from early 90’s grunge, to create material that will leave people with a gritty aftertaste in the mouth.
Newest release ‘Freedom’ is no exception to that. Recorded in Florida and Cardiff with Stuart Richardson, this album is a testament to the feeling of freedom that the band have felt in the last year, as they’re not tied down to any managers, big, flashy record labels, or booking agents. Tracks such as ‘Revolution’ demonstrate true, stomping rock music – massive riffs and thunderous drumming combine to create an absolute storming opener. Melodic hooks are blended effortlessly into ‘Into the Light’, showcasing Starr’s powerful vocals (which are rather reminiscent of James Veck-Gilodi of Deaf Havana – think pre-‘Fools and Worthless Liars’ / ‘Old Souls’). ‘Say Anything (Dirty)’ features big, rowdy guitar work, and wouldn’t sound out of place on a big club stage.
‘Murder On Neville Street’ slows the album down; a small, but fun, acoustic track, it offers something different to the boisterous rock tunes that’ll get the walls of small venues worked up into a sweating mass. Intense vocals and monster riffs swell to create the anthemic ‘Phonesex’ and ‘Mercury In Retrograde’, that simply roar to life, while Starr shows that he’s a diamond in the making, as he showcases his energetic talent during the rip-roaring ‘This Isn’t Love’.
Considering this is the band’s first full-length release, following on from an EP released last year and a handful of singles over the past few months, it’s obvious just how confident States and Empires are with their music. With the three members, this Welsh trio have created a powerful and blistering sound the simply swaggers with certainty, assurance, and absolute determination, and should see them land bigger and better slots on tours in the next coming months.
JESS TAGLIANI