The Pitch: Italian band combines elements of post-metal, post-hardcore, sludge, and black metal to create some crushing and compelling compositions inspired by by the famous picture of Evelyn McHale after she leapt from the Empire State Building.
What I Like: That first track hits like a ton of bricks...or perhaps more appropriately the hood of a car after falling 86 floors. Even with lyrics not directly describing McHale's descent, the music perfectly captures the concept. The monolithic distortion and throat-ripping, sludgey vocals are filled with equal parts hopelessness, helplessness, and promise of oblivion. Wavering between softer moments with clean singing and post-metal guitar reverb and the sudden blackened explosions are crater-inducing. Also, those mathcore guitar hammer-ons and pull-offs on "The End"? Crazy stuff.
What I Don't Like: This EP is not completely out of the ordinary. I've heard some fairly similar ones.
The Verdict: While La Fin are another band that could use a few steps towards individualizing their sound, Empire of Nothing has a powerful sound that cannot, and should not, be denied.
Flight's Fav's: Consciousness, The End
