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Restricted Release, in cooperation with Angle Side Side, today confirms October 12 as the North American release date for Awaken, the full-length debut from Rhode Island-based The Empire Shall Fall. Awaken is the first metal album from vocalist Jesse David Leach since his departure from Killswitch Engage.

Recorded in 2009, Awaken was originally available for physical purchase via direct band merchandise outlets. Through the new cooperation, the album will now be accessible via proper retail outlets throughout North America. “We all couldn’t be more than happy that this record has gained enough attention to make it to this level of exposure,” comments Leach. “We are proud that our DIY band and our self produced/released record has the potential to reach so many more listeners. Our hope is that a great deal of people will be able to see the passion and message we carry with our music. Fight the good fight!”

Produced by guitarist Marcus De Lisle and mixed by Sean Small, Awaken has already received significant media attention. Hails & Horns Magazine calls it “a powerhouse of a record, crackling with intensity.” Popular online site The PRP gave the record a 4 out of 5 rating, noting it as “a vast arsenal of aural weaponry.” Terrorizer Magazine applauded the album, embracing Leach’s “jagged, broken-glass shrieks” and called it “more than a welcomed return.” The album has also generated substantial support from college and commercial specialty radio programs across the country. As part of an early radio campaign, Awaken peaked on FMQB/Friday Morning Quarterback’s metal chart at position 7 and impressed CMJ/College Music Journal stations peaking at position 20 on the tip magazine’s weekly metal chart.

Formed in 2008, The Empire Shall Fall‘s eclectic sound is rooted in metal/hardcore; the band citing luminaries At The Gates, Meshuggah, and Edge of Sanity as major inspiration. The band, featuring guitarists Jake Davenport and De Lisle, bassist Nick Sollecito, drummer Jeff Pitts, and Leach, also draw heavily from their combined interests in jazz, punk, and experimental music. The band’s lyrics are fueled by political outrage; a passion that forms the backbone of the band and sets them apart from their peers.

The Empire Shall Fall are expected to announce a series of new live shows to support the retail release of Awaken. In the meantime the band has already started writing material for their second album which they plan to release in early 2011. Sollecito notes, “our new material is definitely a step up from our previous stuff. We are really excited about it and can’t wait till we hit the studio to get it all together.

Tracklisting:
1. Awaken
2. Lords of War
3. Voices Forming Weapons
4. Choir of Angels
5. We The People
6. These Colors Bleed
7. Our Own
8. The Kingdom

Genres: Metalcore, Thrash
Label: Independent

I’m beginning to think that the whiny Bullet for my Valentine metalcore may be dead. Because although this album is definitely mostly ‘core, it ain’t whiny in the least. In fact, it’s thrashy as hell, which is probably one of the least whiney metal genres out there.
I’ll be honest, I know nothing of this band, and that kind of adds to my enjoyment. Listening to this album is like opening presents on Christmas; you don’t know what you’re going to get, and if you have cool relatives, you don’t even know what you should expect. The Empire Shall Fall are those cool relatives. They’re dropping thrash riffs with metalcore breakdowns and deathy vocals right beside some very powerful singing. Instrument-wise, this band knows their shit. They’ve obviously been playing for awhile and have diverse influences, shown in the raw speed and technicality of some of the songs, but also in the fact that they can use tech elements with traditional elements and make it work. They can write SONGS, not riff tapes with vocals, which is a breath of fresh air.
Just found out, right before I’m posting this, that Jesse Leach is the vocalist (would explain the familiarity). If you don’t know who that is, you need a fucking history lesson.
Favourite tracks are “Lords of War”, “Voices Forming Weapons”, and the title track.
8 out of 10.

The Empire Shall Fall on MySpace.