With a classic metal style, Empire Warning took the honours in the London final of M2TM and were good enough to provide us with some history and share their plans for world domination.
Paul: Let’s start with a brief history of the band
EW: Empire Warning was formed in 2009 by Adam and Ben. In a conversation about looking for a vocalist Elsio’s name came up, after that very rehearsal we saw Elsio walking down the street so we chalk that up to fate. Our guitarist left Ben on his own for guitar duty and we advertised; lucky for us Grant came along and filled the position flawlessly. After losing three drummers and so many failed auditions Jordan decided to try out. We knew Jordan from the scene and gigging with his old band and after he got behind the kit the rest is history. Our name came from a random conversation standing outside of the Shepherds Bush Empire and there was a warning sign; it was fitting that our name is a reference to where most of the band grew up and to remember where we came from always.
Paul: Let’s start with a brief history of the band
EW: Empire Warning was formed in 2009 by Adam and Ben. In a conversation about looking for a vocalist Elsio’s name came up, after that very rehearsal we saw Elsio walking down the street so we chalk that up to fate. Our guitarist left Ben on his own for guitar duty and we advertised; lucky for us Grant came along and filled the position flawlessly. After losing three drummers and so many failed auditions Jordan decided to try out. We knew Jordan from the scene and gigging with his old band and after he got behind the kit the rest is history. Our name came from a random conversation standing outside of the Shepherds Bush Empire and there was a warning sign; it was fitting that our name is a reference to where most of the band grew up and to remember where we came from always.
Paul: Who is the current line up?
EW: Elsio - Vocals, Ben - Guitar Backing Vocals, Grant - Guitar, Adam - Bass, Jordan - Drums
EW: Elsio - Vocals, Ben - Guitar Backing Vocals, Grant - Guitar, Adam - Bass, Jordan - Drums
Paul: Describe the band’s sound and influences
EW: Eclectic to say the least. we are a Metal band with a love for all Genres. Lamb of God, Devin Townsend, Anthrax, Machine Head, Spineshank, Dry Kill Logic, to name but a few.
Paul: Prior to Bloodstock, what are some of the highlights for the band so far?
EW: We once played a closed show/Jam with an inclusive band based at Ealing Mencap, these guys have various disabilities and Learning disabilities yet played in a very cool very awesome band. We were invited to play songs for them and Jam on a cover of Whiskey in a Jar. It was a beautiful experience.
Paul: Let’s move on to Bloodstock and your road to the festival. Please tell us about your journey.
EW: We Entered M2TM four times over five years feeling cursed to be a semi-final band. We went out reassessed and made improvements with the amazing advice from people around us. 2018 was a very hard year for the band due to one member getting seriously ill and again having to look at the band as a whole, making sure we are doing right by ourselves and still loving our journey together. Finally, in 2019 we made it through to the finals. Ben almost cried.
Paul: Tell us about the build up to your final and how you handled it
EW: Strangely we were content., We decided to have fun and to be proud of ourselves for breaking our semi-final curse. We work really hard together, but we felt like lifting that pressure when the standard of the other bands are so high really transformed our whole mindset, we have never enjoyed and fell in love with being on stage together more than that night.
Paul: What about when you were announced as winners? What were the emotions like?
EW: Such a mixed bag. Relief, joy, shock, excitement and a strange hint of sadness when the moment started to calm down. We realised we can’t enter the competition again and that caused a little sadness because the family atmosphere you experience and the friends you make with the other bands is something you can’t continue doing. That in essence is one of the most amazing things about M2TM.
Paul: Moving on to the festival itself, what can we expect from you?
EW: A high energy metal show. We leave everything on stage for everybody to enjoy. We will give you everything we have got.
Paul: Which bands are you looking forward to seeing there?
EW: Karybdis, Resin, Footprints in the Custard, Parkway Drive, Sabaton, Soulfly and the Scorpions just to name a few.
Paul: Have you been to Bloodstock before?
EW: Ben Has Back before it was open air. Massive Orange Goblin fan and literally travelled up for them, Can’t wait to experience it in all its glory now
Paul: And finally, tell us a guilty pleasure about each member of the band!
EW: Ben: it’s a song that I know I shouldn’t like called Dum Surfer by King Krule. It’s very much a marmite song
Jordan: Female fronted pop
Elsio: Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden
Grant: ABBA, seriously the most Metal pop band in the world.
Adam: Little Big, just google SKIBIDI
At least there is no Coldplay in that list. My grateful thanks to Empire Warning and you can catch them at the New Blood Stage on Saturday 10th August.
EW: Eclectic to say the least. we are a Metal band with a love for all Genres. Lamb of God, Devin Townsend, Anthrax, Machine Head, Spineshank, Dry Kill Logic, to name but a few.
Paul: Prior to Bloodstock, what are some of the highlights for the band so far?
EW: We once played a closed show/Jam with an inclusive band based at Ealing Mencap, these guys have various disabilities and Learning disabilities yet played in a very cool very awesome band. We were invited to play songs for them and Jam on a cover of Whiskey in a Jar. It was a beautiful experience.
Paul: Let’s move on to Bloodstock and your road to the festival. Please tell us about your journey.
EW: We Entered M2TM four times over five years feeling cursed to be a semi-final band. We went out reassessed and made improvements with the amazing advice from people around us. 2018 was a very hard year for the band due to one member getting seriously ill and again having to look at the band as a whole, making sure we are doing right by ourselves and still loving our journey together. Finally, in 2019 we made it through to the finals. Ben almost cried.
Paul: Tell us about the build up to your final and how you handled it
EW: Strangely we were content., We decided to have fun and to be proud of ourselves for breaking our semi-final curse. We work really hard together, but we felt like lifting that pressure when the standard of the other bands are so high really transformed our whole mindset, we have never enjoyed and fell in love with being on stage together more than that night.
Paul: What about when you were announced as winners? What were the emotions like?
EW: Such a mixed bag. Relief, joy, shock, excitement and a strange hint of sadness when the moment started to calm down. We realised we can’t enter the competition again and that caused a little sadness because the family atmosphere you experience and the friends you make with the other bands is something you can’t continue doing. That in essence is one of the most amazing things about M2TM.
Paul: Moving on to the festival itself, what can we expect from you?
EW: A high energy metal show. We leave everything on stage for everybody to enjoy. We will give you everything we have got.
Paul: Which bands are you looking forward to seeing there?
EW: Karybdis, Resin, Footprints in the Custard, Parkway Drive, Sabaton, Soulfly and the Scorpions just to name a few.
Paul: Have you been to Bloodstock before?
EW: Ben Has Back before it was open air. Massive Orange Goblin fan and literally travelled up for them, Can’t wait to experience it in all its glory now
Paul: And finally, tell us a guilty pleasure about each member of the band!
EW: Ben: it’s a song that I know I shouldn’t like called Dum Surfer by King Krule. It’s very much a marmite song
Jordan: Female fronted pop
Elsio: Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden
Grant: ABBA, seriously the most Metal pop band in the world.
Adam: Little Big, just google SKIBIDI
At least there is no Coldplay in that list. My grateful thanks to Empire Warning and you can catch them at the New Blood Stage on Saturday 10th August.