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February 2025

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Midnight Empire: Everything and Nothing

(Melodic) Hard Rock

4.5/5.0

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Unsigned/Self-released
by Craig Hartranft,  08.03.2012

Texas' Midnight Empire is another good reason to thank the Lord above that classic American hard rock is still alive and relevant. Their debut disc Everything and Nothing is no muss, no fuss, straight up rock.

Midnight Empire: which way's the camera?

You'll hear some significant influences here, like GnR, Aerosmith, and AC/DC, but also enough modern sensibility like Alter Bridge. The power trio puts emphasis on strong vocals, impressive guitar licks, and a steady, vigorous, rhythm section. They mix melody with groove and rock gusto, and sometimes you'll hear some a blues undercurrent as on Two Against One or Under the Table.

The effective wild card here is vocals of Jacob Henderson. Sometimes he can sound like some wicked cross between Geddy Lee and Myles Kennedy as on Under the Table. Then combined with the music you'd think he and the band sound like a modern Aerosmith on Can't Get Enough. It's the best track here. Later, on the ballad Sign of the Times, he's simply powerful and emotional. Midnight Empire better not lose this dude.

Midnight Empire's Everything and Nothing is a strong and entertaining effort from an immensely talented and promising band. Quite recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Midnight Empire's Everything and Nothing is a strong and entertaining slab of classic American hard rock in a modern context from an immensely talented and promising band.

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By now it's old news. Everybody in the prog universe knows: Dream Theater got the band back together. Drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy returned to his Dream Theater family to celebrate their 40th ... [ Read More ]