Anyone who arrived late to the Biffy Clyro party and knows only their recent, most radio-friendly singles are in for a shock when they hear Empire State Bastard. Formed by Biffy frontman Simon Neil and touring guitarist/former Oceansize frontman Mike Vennart, and completed by ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo and Bitch Falcon’s Naomi Macleod on bass, they’re a super-heavy, riff-led, unholy-scream-driven grindcore beast, designed to make ears ring and heart rates race.
“If you only know Biffy from the big rock songs, you will get fright,” says Neil. “It’s definitely for the fearless listener. These songs aren’t written to be your friend, they’re written to protect you, they’re like bodyguard songs. Whereas with Biffy, we want to put an arm round you and make you feel a part of something, with ESB we want you to join the riot rather than the cuddle.”
