Empire State Bastard – Rivers of Heresy | Album Review

Dating all the way back to 2002, the idea of Empire State Bastard had been nothing more than just a chat between two friends. It wasn't until 21 years after that chat that the band had eventually come to fruition. Finally, what was originally a background idea from the minds of Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil and Oceansize's Mike Vennart has now become a reality.

While it has been in discussion for over two decades at this point, Neil & Vennart have only recently been sharing ideas non-stop at the back of the Biffy Clyro tour bus to make this album and vision come to life. Fast forward to 2023 and we’ve finally got a taste of the album as Rivers of Heresy drops with none other than the legendary Dave Lombardo behind the kit. You think you know what you’re in for as lead single, and album opener, Harvest burrows deep into your ear canal with its low chugs and Neil’s chaotic vocals switching from his cleans back to his near incomprehensible screeches. Vennart puts his guitar strings to the test keeping up with Lombardo’s percussive bludgeoning. But as the album pushes on, the band throw in far more than just extremity, from thrash metal, punk and even some heavy stoner riffs with Moi?.

If you’re here solely as a Biffy Clyro fan without knowing about the band and jumping in blind, then this may come as a surprise. But there are moments on the album where he does revert back to his usual Biffy style vocals, in particular Moi? and Dusty as feature less of Neil’s ferocious vocals. Lombardo’s drum work on Tired, Aye shows he is still a force to be reckoned with nearly 55 years into his illustrious career, as the godfather of the double bass can still throw down some impressive kick patterns effortlessly.

The entire album is the band stretching the boundaries of the landscape of extreme metal to the point where you don’t even know which way is up. Dizzying tracks like Stutter are cut-throat and abrasive in every sense of the word, mirrored by tracks like Moi which are on the slower side with more clean vocals, but still have that signature fuzzy guitar work.

The guitar tone from Vennart throughout the entire album is chunky and gritty. Lombardo’s position behind the kit is berserk and erratic, while Neil’s vocals are violent and gentle in equal measure. The added background synth melodies throughout the album are few and far between, but when they’re used it’s a welcomed appearance as it adds texture to an otherwise intense album. Ending on the slower, yet still frantic song, The Looming is a testament that they know how to structure an album.

Given how long Empire State Bastard were naught but an idea, that they’ve not only formed but dropped one of 2023’s most batshit extreme albums might not have been on the cards originally, but the stars finally aligned. Fans of Biffy will certainly need to approach with an open mind, though Slayer fans might have an easier ride. The band have certainly stepped out of their respective comfort zones for the album, but in doing so they’ve created a gem of extremity.