Black Orchid Empire create dense, powerful rock music that combines fearless complexity, aggressive heaviness and beautiful, hook-laden melody.
With a gargantuan sound and energetic live performance, the three-piece hailing from London have been unleashing their ferociously tight show across Europe, including a UK tour with HED p.e, several headline runs and much-lauded appearances at Standon Calling, Planet Rockstock, Camden Rocks Festival or German Taubertal Festival amongst others.
Their critically-acclaimed debut album Archetype garnered widespread media attention, with single God Is Awake being selected as Kerrang! Radio’s track of the week.
Black Orchid Empire recorded their follow-up album Yugen at The Recording Studio in London, signing a deal with German label Long Branch Records.
Having played alongside heavyweights such as Biffy Clyro, Editors and Skunk Anansie and with a dedicated, growing fanbase, Black Orchid Empire demand your attention. Black Orchid Empire have just completed a UK tour with INME, and are set to embark on a ten-date run throughout Germany and the UK with Black Map later this month before they appear at Download Festival.
The band have just release their new single My Favourite Stranger which you can check out below!
We managed to catch up with Black Orchid Empire as they talked about their upcoming album and more!
So how pumped are you for the release of Yugen?
We’ve been playing together for a long time but honestly this is the most excited we’ve ever been about anything we’ve created. We’re so happy with how the record came out – can’t wait for people to hear it!
Can you tell us something about the release no one else knows?
The main vocal on Vertigo is the actually original demo vocal that Paul did in one take during pre-production. It turned out to be everyone’s favourite version, so it made it all the way to the final master!
What’s your favourite track from the album?
We have different favourites but all agree that Pray To The Creature has some of the coolest riffs we’ve written. It’s also great fun to play live, although it’s really challenging. Dave is also very proud of the bass on My Favourite Stranger – that bassline is ridiculous.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
The Periphery guys are phenomenal musicians with amazing ideas. It’d be great to work with them. Nolly is one of our favourite producers – his productions always sound incredible. In fact, Ermin Hamidovic (the insanely talented engineer that mastered our record) works with them regularly so you never know!
What venue are you most looking forward to playing this month?
We just played the Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes for the second time and loved it – and we’re due to go back there on May 31st with Black Map so that’ll be awesome.
How have Long Branch Records helped you become the band you are today?
It’s been amazing to work with a label who share our love of music and really understand what we’re trying to achieve. They’ve been integral to building on the work we’d done ourselves and helping us break through the glass ceiling of bigger tours and a wider fanbase. It’s really helped with industry taking us seriously as well. They’ve been incredible with Spotify for example., getting us on playlists we could never have hoped for independently.
So you have Camden Rock Festival coming up in June too, do you find it different playing at a festival rather than a live venue gig?
Festivals are so fun – the crowd is always great and the energy is brilliant – but they can be stressful too. You have very little time to get on, play and get off again. You need to run a tight ship to get it right!
What do you get up to in your spare time when not working on music?
We’re always working on music! We run two recording studios and produce records for other bands as well as composing for TV so we’re very busy with music all the time. Wouldn’t have it any other way though!
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Smashing Pumpkins at the NEC made a huge impression on me as a kid. It was unbelievable. I remember watching Billy Corgan run around stage in a big leather coat and thought – ‘I want to do that!’