Empire State Bastard – Rivers of Heresy

It has been suggested, not altogether unreasonably, that Simon Neil has gone a touch soft in recent years. After all, there is no doubt that once Biffy Clyro set out down the path to mainstream rock stardom with Puzzle in 2007, the spikier sides of their sound have been gradually rounded off in favour of a sonic approach more palatable to the masses.

With this side project, though, Neil proves beyond question that the fire of old still burns. Anybody who discovered Neil through the use of Biffy’s Many of Horror as the official winner’s song (with the alternative name When We Collide) on The X Factor in 2010 and generally appreciates the gentler side of his songwriting need not apply as far as this side project goes. Empire State Bastard was dreamt up on the back of the Biffy tour bus with guitarist Mike Vennart passing the time by imagining what the most brutal possible blend of their heavier influences might sound like. 

Now we know: Rivers of Heresy, which features former Slayer man Dave Lombardo on drums, is punishingly loud, often furiously paced, and has Neil vocally channeling Chino Moreno as he flits between screaming and singing. When it works, it’s thrilling, especially on the moody Moi and the mercurial, atmospheric Sons and Daughters. Elsewhere, Palms of Hands and Dusty are perhaps a little grindcore-by-numbers. Still, Neil and Vennart have presented their vision in uncompromising fashion, and those who yearn for Blackened Sky-era Biffy will unquestionably find something to love.

Listen to: Moi, Sons and Daughters, The Looming