Empire State Bastard

Empire State Bastard are a British metal duo formed of Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro and Mike Vennart (of Cardiacs and formerly of Oceansize). To date, the duo has released one album, Rivers of Heresy, which was released on 1 September 2023, and debuted at number 46 on the UK Albums (OCC). The band was announced on the 24 February 2023 through social media. Shortly after, the band announced a run of intimate shows in Glasgow, Manchester and London. Musically, the band have been described as alternative metal, extreme metal, metalcore, and hardcore punk. The band have appeared at many festivals across Europe including 2000trees, Copenhell, Download Festival, Graspop Metal Meeting, Hellfest, and Wacken Open Air. They also supported Sleep Token during their 2024 USA tour. Simon Neil – vocals, keyboard Mike Vennart – guitar, backing vocals Dave Lombardo – drums Naomi Macleod – bass guitar, backing vocals Rivers of Heresy (2023) Heavy Music Awards "5 most extreme non-metal albums: EMPIRE STATE BASTARD's picks". ""I'm just using loads of the most horrible pedals imaginable": Empire State Bastard on bringing a different kind of noise". "Empire State Bastard Biography by Rich Wilson". Originally conceived by Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil and Oceansize's Mike Vennart during Biffy tours, the duo wanted to create a band that would play the most extreme grindcore possible. "Simon Neil's ESB announce debut album Rivers of Heresy out September 1st on Roadrunner Records". Rock 'n' Load. June 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023. Sprawling across the alt-metal landscape... "Empire State Bastard Roadrunner Records - Official Store". Roadrunner Records - Official Store. Retrieved 2024-12-03. Trendell, Andrew (2023-05-27). "Empire State Bastard: "We're going for extremity at all costs"". NME. Retrieved 2024-12-03. "RIVERS OF HERESY". Official Charts. 2023-09-14. Retrieved 2024-12-03. Trapp, Philip (2023-03-16). "Dave Lombardo Shares Fierce Song From New Band With Biffy Clyro Members". Loudwire. Retrieved 2024-12-03. Wilson-Taylor, James (2023-09-01). "Empire State Bastard, 'Rivers Of Heresy' | The Album Story". Rock Sound. Retrieved 2024-12-03. Dunworth, Liberty (2023-06-02). "Empire State Bastard share brutal new single 'Stutter'". NME. Retrieved 2024-12-03. "Copenhell 2024 – Onsdag – Diskant.dk" (in Danish). 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-12-03. Ordonez, Eli (2024-01-19). "Sleep Token announce US tour with Empire State Bastard". NME. Retrieved 2024-12-03. Dunworth, Liberty (2023-08-10). "Empire State Bastard announce UK and European headline tour". NME. Retrieved 2024-12-03. "Heavy Music Awards 2024 Winners Revealed". Heavy Music Awards. Retrieved 2024-12-03. "Heavy Music Awards 2024 Winners Revealed". Heavy Music Awards. Retrieved 2024-12-03.