Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Andrew Knudsen - Vocals
Mike Brennan - Guitars
Spencer Strange - Guitars
Leviathan - Drums
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Empyrean Throne? How long has the band been around?
Empyrean Throne has been an active force since 2011. Each member of our order has been a part of many different musical endeavors prior to joining our ranks. This previous hands-on experience has been vital to our success and development into the band that you see before you. There is no substitute for hard work.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Students of history and scholars of philosophy will recognize the origin of the term "Empyrean.” In short, for Greeks and Romans it was the Realm of Divine Fire. Within practices of Chaos Gnosticism, an ideology we promote, it is the source of the Great Chaos and the current of change that flows forth. Early in the band's inception we operated under the banner "Of Legions." However, upon the release of our first EP, "Demonseed," we adopted our current mantle, or "true" title, as I like to call it, Empyrean Throne.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Writing is a shared task under our banner. Everyone brings ideas to the table, and everyone contributes. We try to explore all facets of a song in the writing process. Sometimes there are differences in opinions, but that's just a fact of life when collaborating. Ultimately, we settle on what's best for the song and record. Our central themes always focus on liberation and Chaos Ideology. The angle from which we approach these themes changes and fluctuates. At the center of Chaos is change. We are not the same people we were a year ago. We will continue to evolve as musicians and grow as artists. The message will stay the same, but how we choose to present it will take different forms as time progresses.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
We are inspired by music ranging from the classical world to contemporary artists in the extreme metal genre, while not excluding everything in between. We derive inspiration not only from music but art, philosophy, and literature. The inspiration for music can lie with many things within and outside of music.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Yes of course, but to talk about each individual band or concert experience that shaped us or inspired us as artists would be its own interview.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc. …
We have pre-show rituals to which we adhere but we choose to keep them private.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
We have been fortunate enough to experience many successes this early in our career, from playing with major label acts like Cattle Decapitation, Aborted and Nile, to successful west coast tours, right up to the release of our debut record Chaosborne. All of this has only come from hard work and the perseverance of our ranks. It hasn't been easy, and sometimes has been very difficult, but which each sacrifice and trial we overcome, we are granted another reward or share another success which takes many forms.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
We would of course love to tour with the titans of our genre, the Dimmu's, Fleshgod's, Behemoth's, and Watain's of extreme metal to further our bands growth and gain firsthand knowledge from those more traveled than us. It would be an honor to share the experience of a new adventure with these genre heavyweights and forge new friendships and alliances. Again here are too many bands, both past and present, with which we would gladly tour.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Our debut record "Chaosborne" has been something that we have been slaving away on for many, many sleepless nights. To be this close to the eve of its release is exciting. It is a tale of the journey to darkest part of the Shadow Self and into the halls of the unknown. It is something that we cannot wait to share with the world.
Into Chaos, Towards the Beyond, Ever Vigilant.
- Andrew Knudsen / Vocals
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