photos by Martin Goltermann
Copenhagen, Denmark based heavy rock band EMPATH releases their eponymous debut album, out today on Indisciplinarian.
EMPATH’s debut conveys eight tracks of heavy, melodic, and profound rock rooted in the greats of 1970s and ‘80s prog and traditional metal. Clad in an updated, yet analogue production setting, the ambitious and varied compositions unfold themes of human nature and civilization critique, through a poetic, questioning prism.
Empath was produced by KB Larsen and EMPATH, mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Obituary, Deadguy, The Armed), with cover art by vocalist Morten Grønnegaard.
Listen to EMPATH’s mammoth debut, now playing everywhere including Bandcamp and all streaming platforms RIGHT HERE.
Empath is available on two vinyl variants – 100 on transparent blue and 100 on black – as well as all digital formats HERE. Also watch the “Only The Dead” visualizer HERE.
EMPATH will play their debut show at A Colossal Kind Of X-mas at Hotel Cecil in Copenhagen on December 11th alongside a string of prominent heavy Danish artists.
EMPATH Live:
12/11/2026 A Colossal Kind Of X-mas @ Hotel Cecil – Copenhagen, DK [tickets]
Expect additional live updates and more to post shortly.
Empath Track Listing:
1. New Dawn
2. Lyca’s Lost
3. Sisters Of Sorrow
4. Deceiver
5. Childhood’s End
6. Solace
7. The Tower
8. Only The Dead
EMPATH finds its creative core in the songwriting duo of two artists who share a past in the metal band Rising – vocalist Morten Grønnegaard (Qaisor) and guitarist Jacob Krogholt (Anti Ritual). Joined on their eponymous debut album by bassist KB Larsen (Volbeat, Anti Ritual) and drummer Jeppe Munk Aakeson (Knytnæve, Iota), the constellation became complete and a new unique artistic path was carved out.
Empath consists of eight songs of enormous variety, shaping an album that carries itself with a focused musical narrative throughout its thirty-eight minutes. Musically, EMPATH has its roots in heavy, progressive, and psychedelic rock and metal of the 1970s and ‘80s. A contemporary, organic production serves the intricate and melodic song material well, and with the addition of synths reminiscent of old sci-fi soundtracks, the band delivers a heavy, rich, and atmospheric sound, thus carrying the virtuous torch of their musical heroes into the future.
Thematically, Empath deals with the nature of man, the consequences of our ambition and dreams, as laid bare in our present capitalistic society with escalating climate change, inequality, isolation, and conflict on the horizon. Inspired by science fiction literature from the last century and experimental poetry works from the romantic era, the lyrics of Morten Grønnegaard dig into various ideas that gripped writers and thinkers such as Arthur C. Clarke, William Blake, and Thomas De Quincey. Even though the subjects often dwelled into the fever dreams and far away futures of humankind, they resonate very well with where and what we are as humans today.
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The post EMPATH: Copenhagen Heavy Rock Ensemble Formed By Members Of Volbeat, Rising, And Anti-Ritual Releases Self-Titled Debut Album, Out Today On Indisciplinarian first appeared on Earsplit Compound.