Empire – 'Trading Souls'
Tony Martin – Vocals
Rolf Munkes – Guitars
Neil Murray – Bass
Gerald Kloos – Drums
Don Airey – Keyboards
Anders Johansson – Drums*
*guest on track 3 & 7
TRACK FRAGMENTS:
1.) “One In A Million”-This track opens with a very haunting yet simple
guitar riff. The keyboard kicks in the verse with a very simple sounding
seventies pattern. Once Tony’s vocal lines kick in it doesn’t take long to hear
why he is very underrated. The drum and bass lock in, has a very heavy almost
deafening effect to the listener. I have not heard a drum sound this crisp
since Audie Desbrow of Great White on “Once Bitten”. The bass line changes for
the pre-chorus and chorus. The backing harmonies of the chorus are very
simple. The little keyboard scales that are scattered out through the song have
a Deep Purple sound to them. There is a minor solo between the second verse and
chorus then a major solo after the second chorus.
2.) “Pay Back Time”- This track kicks off with a lead
guitar rhythm. The musical arrangement behind the verse is very simply
structured. The backing harmony sections of the choruses are just completely
wild sounding. I would really like to hear Empire pull this sound off live!!!
Drum wise because of the bass drum pattern changes this track would make a great
warm up song for any up and coming drummer. The band pulls back to the intro
arrangement for the small bridge. There is a second breakdown section with an
acoustic guitar. The solo in itself is not nearly as intense has it could have
been for the song.
3.) “Teenage Deadhead”-This track opens with an acoustic guitar arrangement.
The drum arrangement has a very syncopated feel to it. Vocally this track
really shows Tony’s talent has a vocalist. The chorus of the song is very
melodic with a huge hook within. At time some of the accents the band uses on
the backing harmonies has a very Jon and Ritchie from Bon Jovi feel to them.
The solo has that huge eighties ballad feel to it. Tony’s vocal lines are very
laid back and sound great in front of the double bass drum pattern. At times
the song really does scream for a few Tony backing vocal overdubs. There is a
huge eighties feeling guitar solo. The ending arrangement of the song really
suits the song very well.
4.) “Big World, Little Man”-This track opens with a pretty standard eighties
sounding intro. The vocal lines of the verse have a pretty standard feel to
them. You can really hear a huge hook coming up during the pre-chorus. And boy
you are not wrong; the hook of the chorus is big enough to hook a great white
on. There is a small but very effective double bass drum pattern during the
chorus. At times through the bridge it sounds like the drummer is using a
thinner snare than for the rest of the song. The solo for the song has a very
intense feel and sounds like it was done with a wah-wah effects pedal. .
5.) “You”-This track opens with a intro that would make George Lynch and Dokken
proud. The guitar arrangement of the song uses the same type guitar
arrangements that made Lynch famous. Vocally the lyric and vocal arrangements
have a very Don Dokken influence. The backing harmonies of the pre-chorus and
chorus are very strong. For the musical arrangement between the 1rst chorus and
2nd verse the band break time too a twelve note rhythm pattern for a
couple bars. Backing vocal wise this track has some of the best backing
harmonies in a song I’ve ever heard. During the second verse there is a small
almost violin sounding section that follows along with the guitar riff. The
solo also has a very George Lynch effect to it, it just is not nearly as
overblown has some of George’s solo are.
6.) “Perfect Singularity”-This track is also one that opens with a very Dokken
style sound. Tony’s vocal sound has a very haunting effect. The vocal lines of
the verse are also overdubbed which makes the verse sound real thick. The
chorus is very short and melodic. The song builds with intensity as it moves
along. The solo has a little abstract feel to it but it suits the song well.
7.) “Wherever You Go”-This track kicks off with a standard hard hitting metal
arrangement. The vocal lines where done with a studio effect. From right off
the band lock into a stinking groove. Between each pre-verse and verse there is
a small lead scale. The musical arrangement has a very intense feel to it,
while the vocal lines are a little more on the melodic side; this makes for a
strange but very cool mixture. The vocal lines of the chorus have a very Don
Dokken solo feel to them. The solo at times was overdubbed and gives off a twin
guitar solo effect.
8.) “Did You Ever Love Me”- This ballad opens with an acoustic guitar
arrangement. The drummer chooses to use a wood block instead of snare that adds
to the subtleness of the song. The chorus has a huge backing harmony
arrangement. The chorus arrangement also has a very huge hook within it.
Vocally this song is another one on this release that shows Tony’s vocal
ability. The solo was overdubbed and gives off a twin guitar effect.
9.) “Comin’ Home”-This track opens with a very mean sounding musical
arrangement. The lyric lines are very reminiscent of a lot of late eighties
metal. At the end of the pre-verse there is a small backing harmony section.
Even through the song is very simply structured it would make a great encore
song live.
10.) “Back In The Light”-This track opens with a very laid back guitar
arrangement. The vocal lines of the verse have several hooks within them. The
chorus is very laid back with huge backing harmonies. Musically you really
can’t get much simpler than this, great song writing!!
“Trading Souls” is Empires second release and even after carefully studying
both releases side by side they are equally amazing!!!
Tony Martin is one of two of the only vocalist Black Sabbath ever had.
Without going into detail lets just say the other one is not Ozzy. With
Sabbath Tony had huge shoes to fill, that is without saying and I feel music
fans never really gave him a chance. Tony is and probably will always be
underrated but if you ever had any doubt what kind of singer he is “Trading
Souls” will do nothing but put you on the Tony Martin bandwagon.
As far as the rest of the band Don Airey and Neil Murry’s career should
speak for itself. Rolf Munkes is one of the most amazing guitars I believe I’ve
ever heard in a very long time. Drum wise, Anders where you when I was learning
to play drums? I really could have learned a lot!!!
When you have a band where each member is equally has talented has the
next it makes for a sweeter product because the individuals musicians in the
band feed of that. Every hard rock fan in the world needs this release it is a
necessity. And while your purchasing “Trading Souls” pick up a copy of Empires
freshman release also.