Empress – “Fateweaver” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Empress is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based-band, that released their debut album, Fateweaver, on August 19th, 2022. It is an amazing symphonic metal masterpiece full of legends and tales, inspired by lead singer Barbara Blackthorne and primary songwriter and guitarist Vlad Khavin. Their album title and theme asks the ancient question: “Are you bound by fate, or bound to control it?”. How do we react to, or prepare for our own future?

The band is made up of: Barbara Blackthorne, on vocals; Vlad Khavin, on guitars; Joseph Muir, on guitars; Nicholas Bonsanto, on bass: and Mark Stainthorpe, on drums.

The music is a fast-paced, metal symphonic sound, in the mold of Edenbridge, Nightwish, Visions of Atlantis, and Oceans of Slumber. They recently participated in the 70000 Tons of Metal Heavy Metal Cruise this year, and opened for Visions of Atlantis in February. They will tour with Oceans of Slumber in September.

The band has a great foundation of talent and accomplishments already. They can only add to that list, as they are preparing their next album, while I write this review.

Fateweaver is an excellent introduction to this band.

“Legion”, opens the album with beautiful keys before the thunder of orchestration, drums and guitars, soon follow. Barbara Blackthorne opens the lyrical charge with, “I am the conjurer who brings to life your dreams. I’m the sorcerer whose name most would abandon. And yet in times of war and need they fear to fall. Freeing me once more to come protect their land”. Later she brings the powerful lyrics and answer to the question posed earlier, “Break through the binds keeping you chained. And should you become lost. Create your own star. Dividing light gives way to change. For all that you see may be yours. Welcome to your new world!” Off to a great start!

“Beyond the Sleep” is another wonderful ancient-like tale. Blackthorne sings, “Silver tongued deceiver poisoning with armored words. Cradling the world with your lies; but this is nothing new. Using fairytales to hypnotize. Did they happen to see where the light led? Taking the truth with them as they left. Riddles with no explanation. Evil wears the skin of mortal men”. Then, some harsh vocals: “I defy the laws of conscience. Determining which way to go. Follow the tales and you’ll be shown. Listen to me and you will know. Don’t question why; my will be done!” The beginning of the great storytelling. A nice opening for sure.

“Chimera”, is the first powerful standout on the album. The music is highlighted with orchestration, soft mandolin or acoustic guitar and flute. Then, Blackthorne sings, “As the wind begins to wail just before the storm. It’s becoming clearer to me now. And all around me I can hear the waves.” Yes, a tale of the sea which any Visions of Atlantis fan can definitely appreciate. She continues the story, “Revealing shores finally found. Seabreeze whispers of fortunes to behold. Clandestine port of ages. Past the gates lay the memories of kings. With all that I have dreamt locked inside. A lifetime spent waiting. An end to my searching”. Then the beast swallows the ship. This is also the longest track on the album, full of excellent music and lyrics. My favorite.

“The Fall of Kingdoms”, is full of powerful orchestration and instrumental music at its opening. Before Blackthorne returns, supported by soft piano, just perfectly. She sings, “In the last days of my kingdom. And the final hours of my life. I wonder what I leave behind. You, who I’ve seen in my dreams before. You’ve wandered into your fate. And past the point of my life”. After some incredible guitar soloing and instrumental symphonic splendor she returns to close the song, “So long as the last of my blood lives. My kingdom will never be lost. For a new age has come to seal out the darkness and reach a new dawn. So long as the last of my blood lives. My kingdom will never be lost. For too many lives are at stake to wait on. So strike out and reach a new dawn!” Yes, what a great fight song!

“Black Arcana”, is full of excellent Dream Theater – like keyboards and powerful guitars and drums. Then Blackthorne sings, “The time has come for me tonight to let my soul take flight. I’ll return into the fire. For one wish, for one time. I’ll seize the dark inside. And raise myself higher. Wondering minds often find there’s no boundaries. Dreaming eyes see beyond the veil of reality. And here I stand. Fate in my hands!” Yes, a determined challenge to take control of fate. Incendiary power metal with harsh vocal battles with Blackthorne. A symphonic power piece, indeed!

“Monarch”, is another wonderful operatic song, with Blackthorne reaching for the stars with her voice. She sings, “My sun and moon have given way unto strange crimson skies. Where there once was an orchard of comfort. A new sapling grows.
With no more need to harbor shame for the life that I’ve lost. From the fertile soil of my mind I’ll plant a world in the shade of all that I’ve learned. At journey’s end I will emerge where horizon meets the sea with my past leaving me. And from the shattered sky I’ve found the truth. And straight from the ashes. Life starts anew!” Wonderful.

“Into the Grey” and “Immortelle” offer more great vocals, lyrics and musicianship.

“Eventide” is the closer and second longest track on the album. It opens with belled keyboards and epic orchestration befitting an epic closer. Blackthorne’s vocals may be the best on the album. The band give her space with supporting sound, which does not drown her out. Blackthorne sings, “In the still, quiet of night the world is surrounded. In silence. Enraptured by the calm. Yet I can see that you wait for sleep. And pray for reunion in your dreams. Adorned in robes of stars. I’ll comfort you. Never apart. Echoes of distant dreams left in the past. With the eventide. Taking o’er the skies. In violet-amber hues. You’ll find me beside you!” Great closer!

Empress is like a great mix of Edenbridge and Visions of Atlantis. I hear the ancient Greek and Roman themes and stories of the stars and epic adventures that I used to hear from Edenbridge, mixed well with tales of the sea from Visions of Atlantis. They have positioned themselves well between the two bands. Barbara Blackthorne has a good mix of the vocal styles of both Edenbridge and Visions of Atlantis’ lead vocalists.

Fateweaver is a great introduction to the ability and power of Empress. Hopefully on the next album they will stretch out beyond this sound, and distinguish their sound as both Edenbridge did with The Bonding, and Visions of Atlantis did last year with Pirates. I think they are ready to take that next step and I am counting on reviewing that next album to witness the accomplishment. They need a crusading adventure theme that can gather fans behind it. Something new, that will revive memories of ancient lore and at the same time point the way through to the future from this post-pandemic time of chaos and adjustment. Will they take the cup and drink to the future? We’ll see…it is their fate alone to determine or endure.