Empire

Empire is a name used by a number of different musical acts in rock, metal, punk, hip hop and pop. The best-documented projects under this name include a Japanese idol group, several rock and metal bands, and other short-lived or local acts.

EMPiRE

EMPiRE is a Japanese female idol group formed as a joint project between avex and Watanabe Junnosuke under the WACK label. It begins as Project aW before debuting in 2017. The founding line-up is YUKA EMPiRE, MiDORiKO EMPiRE, MAYU EMPiRE, YU-Ki EMPiRE and YUiNA EMPiRE.

The group first appears on the album WACK & SCRAMBLES WORKS with the song “EMPiRE is COMiNG”, then releases its first album, THE EMPiRE STRiKES START!!, and the EP EMPiRE originals. After WACK AUDiTiON CAMP 2018, MAHO EMPiRE and MiKiNA EMPiRE join, while YUiNA EMPiRE moves to the sister group BiS. In 2019, YUKA EMPiRE leaves and NOW EMPiRE joins after WACK AUDiTiON CAMP 2019. The group releases the single “Pierce” as its debut single and final release with YUKA EMPiRE. EMPiRE disbands in June 2022 after its DOPE MAGiC TOUR show, and the members then form ExWHYZ. The group’s final tour is presented under the name ex-EMPiRE.

Empire, New York City

Empire, previously called Empires Erased, is a progressive deathcore band from New York City. The line-up consists of Paul Bennardo on vocals, Mauricio Jorquera and Dan Pandaa on guitars, Julian Martinez on bass and Jeremy Lopez on drums. The band releases its debut recording, The Decadent Movement, as a seven-song EP in 2010 and then disbands later that year.

Empire, Liverpool

Empire is also an early 1980s punk rock band from Liverpool featuring Derwood and Mark Laff of Generation X. The group releases Expensive Sound in 1981. Its music mixes indie and post-punk elements and is compared with early Joy Division and The Cure, as well as Rites of Spring. The album is reissued on CD in 2003 with 11 bonus tracks.

Empire, Germany

Another Empire is a German rock band from Mönchengladbach, formed in 1976 and later disbanded. It releases two self-titled albums, in 1980 and 1981. Dirk Fleck, known as a Fritz Muller collaborator, appears on the second album.

Empire, Czech Republic

Empire is also a hard rock band from the Czech Republic. Its line-up includes Radek Kurc on lead vocals and guitar, Dario Sapienza on guitar and vocals, Michal Žďánský on bass and vocals, and Marcel Vacínek on drums.

Empire, heavy rock project

Empire is a heavy rock project started by guitarist Rolf Munkes in 2001. The group has released four albums. Past members include Tony Martin, Lance King, Don Airey and Gerald Kloos. The current line-up is Doogie White on vocals, Neil Murray on bass, Mike Terrana on drums and Rolf Munkes on guitars.

Other acts

Other groups and projects called Empire include a New Wave/sophisti-pop band from Liverpool signed to EMI Parlophone in 1987; a British RAC studio project formed in 1990 and originally called Empyre; a metalcore/hardcore band formed in Ft. Lauderdale in 2004; a Raleigh, North Carolina post-hardcore band formerly known as They Were Heroes; a Manchester-based alternative rock group; a British-influenced rock and roll band from Peterborough; an Australian/UK rock band; an Australian progressive rock project; a hardcore band from Columbus, Ohio; and a hip hop group active around Toronto.