Empty Page – Imploding

This is Manchester, UK Punks The Empty Page first full album release since 2016, it’s taken a while but then all good things are worth the wait. ‘Imploding’ does seem like an odd title, and suggests some kind of self destruction, but instead of from a band point of view, I’d imagine it’s more of an outlook on the human race as a whole. Socially, politically and ecologically I’d say we are fucked, this album deals with all these things but at a personal level, with a huge hint of fun too.

“People often describe our sound as anxious, urgent, angular” Kel from the band remarks, I don’t really go for all those strange euphemisms, it’s punk and it’s from the head is a simple enough description. ‘Dry Ice’ is the opener for the album, and openers are quite often the most important song on an album, it’s what gives you a feel for how it’s gonna go. So this was, as you might say in some circles, a “killer” of a track, in my circle I’d say “fuck yeah that’s good”, now I’m hooked and ready for what is to come. The next track up has been given to the video treatment too, its as the title implies, about that person we’ve all probably met at least once in our lives, the narcissistic, cocky, brash, and sometimes intimidating personality who’s mostly hiding their insecurities behind a show, ‘Cock Of The Fifth Year’ is that title. 

As you move on through this album, it becomes more apparent that this is a mash up of emotions and experiences laid out in some ups and downs musically too, its moves along just like track three ‘Life Is A Wave’, this album is a multitude of waves, songs that ebb and flow with highs and lows. ‘Medication Nation’ takes in the idea that modern life is taken over by the need to medicate and feel self pity, not all unprovoked of course, it’s the stresses of life in our times. ‘Big Nasty Palpitations’ being the stand out of the album, with its infectious riff and beat, has a warning of power being the ultimate corruption in life.  ‘Leaf Thin’ is the only semblance of a ballad on the album, its a lay back and take it all in kind of a track, musically ethereal, lyrically thought provoking. 

What I would say in summing this one up, is don’t go into it thinking its all gonna be punk rock, its got attitude, it’s got style, it’s also got experimentation, but most of all its got individuality. This isn’t a thrash or a rail against everything, it’s more of a study of life and what the realties are.

‘Imploding’ is out now via Vociferous Records and is available HERE