Some encounters are obviously destined by fate. What other explanation could there be for the genesis of MPYR. Normally, the five Frenchman had persuaded their successful careers in their respective bands, would have met now and then on festivals and basta. But fate had planned something different; instead of releasing records, happy and satisfied with their regular bands Kyo, Watcha, Pleymo and Vegastar (Over 3.5 albums sold together) and to give concerts (Together more than 1200 live gigs worldwide), they felt the need to work together more closely and on a regular base. Initially EMPYR was created as a side project, they’d work on when Ben, Florian, Benoît, Fred and Jocelyn had the time “But we had so much fun to play together that it became our main project in the end”, they say today.On 12th September EMPYR releases the first single “New Day” from the upcoming debut album “The Peaceful Riot”, getting released two weeks later on 26th September. Simultaneously, the physical edition of the single gets released.
From the very beginning, the band planned to write and sing the songs in English to preserve their chances - a band of their calibre undoubtedly has – on the international market. Also essential from the beginning was the concept to work with three singers (Ben, Florian and Benoit) in order to work out the melodic qualities of the songs “We had no clue how EMPYR would sound like”. Their respective influences made it possible to use a bandwidth, ranging from the SMASHING PUMPKINS and RADIOHEAD and from the DEFTONS to BIFFY CLYRO garnered with a little German ‘NOTWIST-like’ electronic. At first the songs had quite a strong metal direction, but in the further course of the session, the basic mood became much more melodic and spacy. “You can call that record ‘instinctive’. Everyone bothered about it before, but when we came together, it became what it is now”
The album was recorded in last year’s late summer with producer Ken Andrews (Ex-Failure) who already worked with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Pete Yorn and A Perfect Circle “He helped us to find the balance between a phat US sound and a rather tripping atmosphere.” During the whole recording sessions, the band members resided in the same apartments, NIRVANA used during their studio work for the album ‘Nevermind’. A lucky coincidence which will turn out as a good omen, the band hopes.
In November EMPYR will have their first time appearance on German and Austrian stages.
EMPYR live
3rd Nov.2008 A-Vienna - Chelsea
4th Nov.2008 Munich - Ampere
5th Nov.2008 Berlin - Magnet
7th Nov.2008 Cologne - Luxor
8th Nov.2008 Hamburg – Headcrash
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