Eight years on from debut album, THE EMPTY PAGE are back – with a bang

MANCHESTER alt-punks THE EMPTY PAGE are back with new album ‘Imploding,’ via their own ‘Vociferous Records.’

And it’s been a long time since uncompromising band first unfurled their debut album ‘Unfolding,’ way back in 2016.

But it was never their intention to leave it that long. However, founding member and original drummer Jim Cattell left the band during the recording process, just before the pandemic arrived. Some one-off songs and seven-inch single releases kept the fire and desire to play burning, but the waiting is finally over.

“People often describe our sound as anxious, urgent, angular,” said frontwoman Kel Page. “I think it’s all of those things because that’s what the inside of my brain looks like. But I think it’s lush and beautiful at times too. I hope people can hear the whole gamut of emotions in this record. It’s political, personal, passionate and, I hope, important.”

For ‘Imploding’ the band worked with producer Morton Kong and took full advantage of the creative space, utilising the studios vintage gear and experimenting with sounds and fresh ideas. “We hit massive bells with hammers, dicked around with walkie-talkies, created elaborate bass feedback set ups, and generally pushed themselves and their music further than it has ever gone before,” added Page.

Drummer John Simm – who also serves as percussionist for Blossoms – plays on the record and at current live shows alongside Page and guitarist Giz.

XWITTER: @thmptypg