I Am Empire Announces New Album and Sets Release Date

(Photo : Associated Press) I Am Empire, the Tooth and Nail Alternative Rockers from San Jose, California announced on Facebook, their sophomore album, Anchors, will be released on March 26.

I Am Empire, the Tooth and Nail Alternative Rockers from San Jose, California announced on Facebook, their sophomore album, Anchors, will be released on March 26. This album follows the release of the highly successful debut Kings (2011). Since their debut, the San Jose-based band has logged endless miles on the road, supporting the likes of Emery, Brian "Head" Welch and Project 86. The group also headlined a tour and performed at Germany's enormous Christmas Rock Night festival. I Am Empire premiered their new song "Sing," which you can stream now on Soundcloud.

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"We're always writing, and even when Kings was just finished, we got right back to writing and continued throughout the next year," confirms front man Austin Lyons. "As we approached Anchors, we went into the studio with 30 songs and jammed our way through them all, but then recorded the best eight or nine and then finished up the rest in the studio."

Musically, the group's modern day alternative/indie rock sound ranks alongside influences like Thrice, Brand New and Circa Survive, though there's also a grungy feel that echoes of Smashing Pumpkins or Garbage. But when all the cards are laid out on the table, Anchors is still unquestionably an I Am Empire record, especially in light of the revealing lyrics, which are bound to connect on a myriad of levels.

"If listeners can take away one thing from Anchors, it's the idea of just throwing away all your worries and casting them aside so you can be free mentally and spiritually in your life," sums up Lyons, who credits his high school sweetheart turned new bride in helping shift his perspective towards the positive. "You can't progress if there's a giant anchor tied to your ankle. You'll be stuck in the same spot as long as you want it there. As far as my Anchors go, I'm done with them. Just move forward and progress."