Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of British prog-metal band EMPRESS AD.Formed in 2011, and until now known simply by the monicker EMPRESS, brothers Ollie (guitar and vocals) and Alex Loring (bass), together with Edd Unwin (drums) and Tom Meadon (guitar) have crafted a sound that belies their young age. Soothing and vicious in turn, they juxtapose gentle harmonies with frantic ferocity; relaxed strumming followed by thrashy beats, time signature changes and other interesting meanderings.

There are as many elements of MASTODON, METALLICA, and OPETH in their music as there are of the more melodic PINK FLOYD, KING CRIMSON, and ELBOW - all huge influences. The band also cites influences such as post-hardcore pioneers UNDEROATH and THRICE. If that seems quite the motley crew, you’ll understand why the band’s sound is hard to pin down.

Danny Corr, Roadrunner Records, says: “We’re hugely delighted to welcome Empress AD to the Roadrunner fold. They are truly one of the most exciting young bands around and we’ve been wanting to work with them for ages - now it’s finally happening! We can’t wait to get started with their debut album due out this Summer and then work alongside the guys on many records to come!”

Empress AD’s Ollie Loring adds, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of the Roadrunner family. Changing the band’s name was a necessary step to safeguard against any name issues down the line. Empress was then. Empress AD is the watershed moment and very much ’the now'. We know we have the best possible label partner in Roadrunner to help us achieve the things we always dreamed of. We’re over the moon. Stay tuned... it’s going to be fun.”

For The End Records, who will be releasing the group’s full-length album exclusively in the United States this summer, the timing couldn’t be any better. As label owner Andreas Katsambas states, "Our global deal with ADA/WEA enabled us to reconnect with our good friends at Roadrunner. They have always displayed remarkable vision at discovering new talent and Empress AD is no exception. We are excited to be collaborating with Roadrunner and together really get behind such a special band!”

No strangers to the road, Empress AD have already toured with the likes of BARONESS, BRING ME THE HORIZON, CANCER BATS, and BURY TOMORROW, as well as landing a coveted slot at Download Festival last year. Having just wrapped up UK dates with ARCANE ROOTS, the group next hit the road with KVELERTAK, playing the following UK shows:

April

17 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
18 - Leeds, UK - Cockpit 2
21 - Manchester, UK - Academy 3
22 - Glasgow, Scotland - Cathouse
23 - Wolverhampton, UK - Slade Rooms

Empress AD’s debut album will be released by Roadrunner Records in summer 2014. Meanwhile, check out previous single ‘Blurred Perception’: