It's not an easy time to be playing in a rock-and-roll band. I Am Empire is one of the few fresh rock acts willing to fuel their music with as much blood, sweat, tears, and passion as necessary. Since their Tooth & Nail debut two years ago, the band has weathered the challenges of road life and an industry climate that makes it hard for bands to endure past the first record. The result is the raw, matured sophomore follow-up to Kings, the dark-edged new album, Anchors.

 

From the first notes of opening selection "Gravity Bomb," it's clear that the guitar work is going to be a strong force in focusing the songs with its gritty tone and bone-crushing riff style. "Gasoline" carries a more frantic sound without losing the sense of structure as it explores themes of forgetting what lies behind.

 

"All Around Me Now" is one of several tracks demonstrating frontman Austin Lyon's knack for creating lyrics that are poetic without being too obscure. His clear vocals also provide a haunting vibe on songs such as the introspective "Tell Me Mirror." Honest self-examination coupled with the redemptive force of a gracious God is a trend for the songs on this project, providing a refreshing dose of relatability. The song "Labor"--which contrasts the emptiness of the career-driven "American dream" with a life lived for Christ--nods to the theme of the album as a whole: "told me ‘the worst of your days are sinking away with an anchor.'"

 

That theme of cutting ties with the heavy weights we've carried and living fully in the freedom God's redemption has created is highlighted by "Remedy," a track where the dark edge is restrained to create a stronger emphasis on hope even in the musical sound. This track also relies heavily on the rock solid tempo of drummer Eric Martin.

 

Although the richly raw and poignant lyrics stand strong throughout, I Am Empire doesn't neglect to add some blistering rock conventions. The beautifully written "Daylight" features a piercing solo from guitarist Andrew Stanton, and the moody "The Mastermind is Me" builds from a brutal rock riff.

 

Another album highlight is "Sing," a song that beautifully describes humanity's search for meaning met by God's grace: "I can't help by sing, waiting for the warm spring. Winter wears me down, falling to the ground, I can't help but sing." This is rock-and-roll worship at its finest, using soaring gang vocals to back the conversation between the singer and God.

 

The band's ability to thrive in diverse settings is displayed through the gentle love song "On A Rainy Sunday." Here Austin Lyon's clean vocals build a much different ambiance backed by stripped down, chill instrumentation. After the final notes of that track drift away, I Am Empire uses "Blackout" to end the album in a flurry of screaming guitars and forceful melody.

 

This is punk-influenced, hard-edged melodic rock at its finest, shaping stories of faith, doubt, and breaking free that draw the listener deep into the heart of each song. In a market saturated by electronic music, I Am Empire took the less-mapped route relying on complex guitar beds and raw vocals. It's a journey that pays off for fans, offering haunting selections that are sure to invite the listener back again and again.