I Am Empire: "Kings" Review
By gizmodad | Released On January 25, 2011 | Published September 17, 2026 | Last Edited By: gizmodad
Throughout 2010, Tooth and Nail® signed a large batch of artists, including Rocky Loves Emily, Hyland and Swimming with Dolphins and I Am Empire. Now on January 25th 2011, I Am Empire release their debut album Kings, after only just forming in 2008. They are an upcoming band that have a lot of potential, and are almost certainly destined for success in the future.
I would describe I Am Empire as possessing a high energy, heavier than usual alternative rock sound, also comparing them to the likes of Disciple and Flyleaf. Their music is driven by incredible guitar solos and soaring vocals from the lead vocalist Austin Lyons, along with occasional screams. This album includes a vast range of genres, including metal, pop rock and even southern rock. A hint of 80's metal influence can also be found on the opener "Brain Damage" as well as "Saints and Sinners".
Kings was born out of the fractured childhood of the lead vocalist Austin Lyons. Austin's father abandoned him and his mum when he was only ten years of age, which created a lot of anger in Austin's heart. A few years down the track however, a stepfather came along and became very close to the family. However his stepfather also left, which compelled Austin to write the songs for the album. The album's theme of abandonment is highlighted in the opener "Brain Damage". It has an epic chorus that specifically states "We are the sons and daughters of broken homes". The opening track is a passionate rock anthem, with an extremely catchy chorus and an incredible guitar solo. It also maintains a catchy melodic guitar riff throughout its entirety, making it a stand out off the album and a great introduction of what's to come.
"Heart Attack" is an explosive and catchy track from the first seconds, where you're introduced to the crafty guitar work of lead guitarist Andrew Stanton. Next up is the first single and fan favourite "Saints & Sinners". This song goes back to the album's theme, with Austin Lyons expressing some anger with the words "How can you be a saint when you're a sinner like me?". While it does possess some incredible guitar handiwork, the whiney vocals and the "Ha,ha,ha" in the second verse really let down the intended effect of the song, making it my least favourite off the album. "Hammers & Anvils" revisits the topic of Austin's dad leaving; how he handled the situation and his thanks to Jesus for pulling him through. "Oh it's hope that has embraced me/And my God who won't forsake me/Sweet Jesus you're amazing/You save me every single time I fall down."
"Love & Despair" slows down proceedings with some crafty delay guitar effects, before entering back into the passionate rock anthems with "To The Moon" and "The Elevator", exposing some pure hair metal influence and offering some intense guitar solos. Although "The Elevator" only lasts about two and a half minutes it is another standout off the album, with its engaging lyrics, pounding drum beat and crunchy guitar distortion. The duration of the guitar solo isn't very long, but it is still the best off the album.
In the midst of the straightforward hard rock tunes that the album has to offer, I Am Empire also provides us with a slow ballad on "Take Me Away". In this acoustic driven and emotional ballad, Austin pleads with God to take him away from his painful situation and regret of his father leaving. The closing track "It's Not Fair" is another acoustic driven track that also vividly describes his father leaving the family and is an excellent summary of the album as a whole.
Overall, Kings was a good listen with some edgy and passionate rock anthems. The album cover is also very unique, making the album stand out on the shelves of a music store. There are a lot of in-your-face and energetic pump up songs on this album, but that wasn't always a positive with my viewpoint. The occasional wild screaming vocals from Austin Lyons was what severely let some of the tracks down, along with a few tracks that lacked altogether. However for a young band, I Am Empire's guitar work is incredible, which for me was the saving grace for the album. I wouldn't necessarily pay full price for this album, but if you see it at a discount I definitely recommend you pick it up. I've never been a big fan of Tooth and Nail artists, and I Am Empire don't change that fact. However they are a band with a truckload of potential that are sure to gain huge success in the future.
I would describe I Am Empire as possessing a high energy, heavier than usual alternative rock sound, also comparing them to the likes of Disciple and Flyleaf. Their music is driven by incredible guitar solos and soaring vocals from the lead vocalist Austin Lyons, along with occasional screams. This album includes a vast range of genres, including metal, pop rock and even southern rock. A hint of 80's metal influence can also be found on the opener "Brain Damage" as well as "Saints and Sinners".
Kings was born out of the fractured childhood of the lead vocalist Austin Lyons. Austin's father abandoned him and his mum when he was only ten years of age, which created a lot of anger in Austin's heart. A few years down the track however, a stepfather came along and became very close to the family. However his stepfather also left, which compelled Austin to write the songs for the album. The album's theme of abandonment is highlighted in the opener "Brain Damage". It has an epic chorus that specifically states "We are the sons and daughters of broken homes". The opening track is a passionate rock anthem, with an extremely catchy chorus and an incredible guitar solo. It also maintains a catchy melodic guitar riff throughout its entirety, making it a stand out off the album and a great introduction of what's to come.
"Heart Attack" is an explosive and catchy track from the first seconds, where you're introduced to the crafty guitar work of lead guitarist Andrew Stanton. Next up is the first single and fan favourite "Saints & Sinners". This song goes back to the album's theme, with Austin Lyons expressing some anger with the words "How can you be a saint when you're a sinner like me?". While it does possess some incredible guitar handiwork, the whiney vocals and the "Ha,ha,ha" in the second verse really let down the intended effect of the song, making it my least favourite off the album. "Hammers & Anvils" revisits the topic of Austin's dad leaving; how he handled the situation and his thanks to Jesus for pulling him through. "Oh it's hope that has embraced me/And my God who won't forsake me/Sweet Jesus you're amazing/You save me every single time I fall down."
"Love & Despair" slows down proceedings with some crafty delay guitar effects, before entering back into the passionate rock anthems with "To The Moon" and "The Elevator", exposing some pure hair metal influence and offering some intense guitar solos. Although "The Elevator" only lasts about two and a half minutes it is another standout off the album, with its engaging lyrics, pounding drum beat and crunchy guitar distortion. The duration of the guitar solo isn't very long, but it is still the best off the album.
In the midst of the straightforward hard rock tunes that the album has to offer, I Am Empire also provides us with a slow ballad on "Take Me Away". In this acoustic driven and emotional ballad, Austin pleads with God to take him away from his painful situation and regret of his father leaving. The closing track "It's Not Fair" is another acoustic driven track that also vividly describes his father leaving the family and is an excellent summary of the album as a whole.
Overall, Kings was a good listen with some edgy and passionate rock anthems. The album cover is also very unique, making the album stand out on the shelves of a music store. There are a lot of in-your-face and energetic pump up songs on this album, but that wasn't always a positive with my viewpoint. The occasional wild screaming vocals from Austin Lyons was what severely let some of the tracks down, along with a few tracks that lacked altogether. However for a young band, I Am Empire's guitar work is incredible, which for me was the saving grace for the album. I wouldn't necessarily pay full price for this album, but if you see it at a discount I definitely recommend you pick it up. I've never been a big fan of Tooth and Nail artists, and I Am Empire don't change that fact. However they are a band with a truckload of potential that are sure to gain huge success in the future.