EMPRESSES – The Beginning (2022)
“The Beginning” is the debut album from Swedish band EMPRESSES, fronted by experienced female lead singer Emma Asp-Rehn. She has been performing & writing for others during the last 2+ decades various styles from pop to rock to commercials.
But Emma grew up listening to AC-DC, Accept and Deep Purple, and some years ago decided to form a melodic hard rock band to do the music she loves. However, she met online the members of the band Black Diamonds and agreed to rehearsal as a test.
As result, Emma became a permanent member of the band and all decided to get a new name; EMPRESSES. The group already supported established hard rock / metal acts and their singles got radio airplay in the US and Japan.
Now it’s time for full length “The Beginning”, a self-produced / released debut but very well recorded & produced. EMPRESSES is female-fronted melodic hard rock but the band adds a touch of progressive and pop as well, very interesting for sure.
You can tell Emma Asp-Rehn is a trained singer. She’s really good in range and phrasing, giving the songs her own presence. Tracks like ‘Holy Ground’, ‘Immortals’, ‘Intoxication’ and ‘Wherever You Go’ a pretty different: melodic hard rockers, a proggy metal, and a ballad. However, everything feels cohesive.
With a heavy melodic style whose roots rest in the hard rock of the ’70s and ’80s – not vintage but updated in performances and sound production – Empresses is a very cool female fronted act.
“The Beginning” is quite polished and accessible as a whole, well rounded considering its independent origin. Song-wise we find strong songs and solid musicianship – not a surprise, they are from Sweden…
Highly Recommended
01 – The Beginning
02 – On Holy Ground
03 – Flower of Battle
04 – Immortals
05 – Intoxication
06 – Wherever You Go
07 – Empress
08 – Vengeance
09 – Nightmare
10 – Neverending
Emma Asp Rehn – Lead vocals
Patrik Fritso – Lead guitar, background vocals
Sam Talebi – Rhytym Guitar, background vocals
Adam Nordquist – Bass
Max Tragardh – Drums
Pre order
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B8429J9B
