Holy Roman Empire is comprised of guitarist Neeraj Kane (ex-The Hope Conspiracy, The Suicide File, Stabbed By Words, Sweet Cobra), guitarist Jay Jancetic (ex-Arma Angelus, Stabbed By Words), bassist Geoff Reu (Killing Tree), drummer Tony Tintari (ex-Rise Against, Shai Hulud), and vocalist Emily Schambra (ex-Longdistancerunner). Holy Roman Empire was listed as one of Alternative Press' "100 Bands You Need to Know in 2007." They have shared stages w/ Rise Against, Anti-Flag, Spitalfield, Piebald, Damnation AD & many more.
Combining their hardcore roots with influences like The Cure and Sunny Day Real Estate, HRE has staked out a unique position on the post-hardcore landscape. Their latest full length release, The Longue Duree, on Hewhocorrupts Inc. is 12 tracks of powerful guitar driven music fronted by a very talented female vocalist and supported by a rock steady rhythm section. These are sharp, well arranged, intelligent, and well-recorded songs.
I have to admit to a predilection for female fronted bands but not in a sexist, leering way. I really like women. I was the only boy in my family with three sisters. I enjoy being around women, I value their insights, I admire their strengths and virtues. Although my musical tastes generally run along extreme lines such as hardcore, death metal, and grindcore, I found myself listening to The Longue Duree quite a bit.
"Undeserving You" opens the CD with a really nice guitar motif which is nicely fleshed out when the rest of the band kicks in and Emily starts singing. There's a nice part about half-way through where the band drops out, leaving only a single guitar playing the opening motif underneath Emily's vocal and then the rest of the band comes back in. It's a compelling musical moment. There is some nice guitar interplay on "An Alliance of Thieves" with Emily's vocal soaring high above the fray."Hail Mary" has a thick, heavy sound that enhances but does not overpower the song's melody. A bit of feedback and a nice guitar figure lead into "Mute Hearts."
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