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Atlas : Empire EP Somnus Out Now!
“... Somnus just blows everything out of the water!”
- Flicker Magazine
Progressive rock band Atlas : Empire are delighted to announce the release of their second EP, Somnus, via Cold War Legacy Records.
Having released the free download tracks 'Binary Lung' and Mitchy Valentino Sleeps with the Fishes, the band picked up some notable support from the likes of AU Review and Vinyl District, with a Rock Sound 'Expo' feature due to hit the shelves this month. Rock Sound will also be hosting an exclusive stream of Somnus at 5pm today.
Watch the video for 'Binary Lung' below or from Atlas : Empire's YouTube page.
Somnus is the perfect display of Atlas : Empire's versatility as they straddle various genres with ease. Post-hardcore sits neatly alongside the Maybeshewill inspired post-rock of 'Keep This In The Shallows', while Somnus is sprinkled with the eclectic spirit and instrumental ambience of Oceansize.
The band cite the influence of Aereogramme, The Dear Hunter and Oceansize in the evolution of their sound, and this is charactrised by their unerring ability to create music that is both spacious and abrasive - a sound that many of their influences would be proud of.
Atlas : Empire were formed in the summer of 2011 by ex The Ocean Fracture's Steven Gillies (Guitar, Vocals), multi- instrumentalist, and This Silent Forest's, Jamie Sturt (Guitar, Vocals, Keys, Electronics) and Dave Stephen (Bass, Vocals). In October of that year Atlas : Empire were born when they found permanent drummer Jonny Gormley, before adding a third guitarist in March 2012 when ex Pareto and Sucioperro member, Dave Aird, joined the band.
Somnus was recorded live in one night at Lo Fi Studios in Glasgow with engineer Neil Martin, before being mixed and mastered by producer Oz Craggs (Feed the Rhino, Jairus, Secondsmile). The release of Somnus will kickstart a busy second half of the year for Atlas : Empire as they begin a Scottish tour with the EP launch taking place at ABC2 in Glasgow tonight, before embarking on a UK- wide tour in October.
You can catch Atlas : Empire in August at the following venues:
- 12 August - GLASGOW - ABC2
- 13 August - DUNFERMLINE - PJ Molloys
- 14 August - INVERNESS - Madhatters
- 15 August - ABERDEEN - Downstairs
- 16 August - EDINBURGH - Opium
Somnus by Atlas: Empire is available to buy on Amazon and is released via Cold War Legacy Records.