Empathy Test: Throwing Stones…. and hitting #Gold
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“Throwing Stones” is the eagerly anticipated follow up to “Losing Touch”. Despite writing, recording and producing the new EP, the Empathy Test Boys, Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf, have been busy with so many projects its impressive that they've had time to breathe. Clearly investing their efforts into “Throwing Stones” (which we will get onto in a moment), Empathy Test have gone from being unsigned to, well, being signed with Stars and Letters Records.
Their profile has rapidly expanded, currently the band’s Twitter account has in excess of 6,000 followers, thanks to their gigs and their engaging online presence – they actually answer their fan mail. Their music is appearing in an ever increasing number of places, they even supported the Bill Murray Art Show in San Francisco. It’s been a busy year to say the least and the odd thing is that they've achieved all this using good old fashioned Word of Mouth tactics… basically, people like their music and tell other people about it. No massive advert campaigns, so daft endorsements… simple good old fashioned word of mouth.
Their profile has rapidly expanded, currently the band’s Twitter account has in excess of 6,000 followers, thanks to their gigs and their engaging online presence – they actually answer their fan mail. Their music is appearing in an ever increasing number of places, they even supported the Bill Murray Art Show in San Francisco. It’s been a busy year to say the least and the odd thing is that they've achieved all this using good old fashioned Word of Mouth tactics… basically, people like their music and tell other people about it. No massive advert campaigns, so daft endorsements… simple good old fashioned word of mouth.
“Throwing Stones” follows on in a very similar style to “Losing Touch”. They've stuck to what works, an edgy synth-sound which hooks instantly and develops to envelop your attention until the last beat. Saying that, they've not been resting on their laurels as this EP appears to have evolved on from their debut. Whilst “Losing Touch” was darker, for lack of a better word, “Throwing Stones” felt somehow more upbeat over its predecessor. They've maintained their futuristic 80's style beat which has become their own signature sound. In a word, Genius. My overall favourite Empathy Test track is still “Kirrilee” from the first EP but “Throwing Stones” certainly challenges that trophy.
I personally don’t know much about the music industry but I do know what I like. I wondered how they would top “Losing Touch” and I’m happy to report that “Throwing Stones” has met the challenge head on, which makes me wonder how on Earth they will top this EP. “Throwing Stones” is an awesome addition to a now growing portfolio of impressive tracks. 2014 has been a great debut year. With 2015 just around the corner (did I just say that? Bloody hell!), the hope is that the momentum will continue onwards and upwards. Personally, I would really like to see their works make it onto a future science fiction soundtrack – it may just be me but I think those beats lend themselves to that genre.
“Losing Touch” EP is available now via Napster, Spotify and Youtube as well as the Empathy Test & the Stars and Letters websites.
“Throwing Stones” EP will be released on the 6th December. The title track is free to listen to at empathy-test.bandcamp.com. The EP can be pre-ordered through the same link.
Learn more about the Band at http://starsandletters.com/empathytest/ and follow on twitter @empathytest
“Losing Touch” EP is available now via Napster, Spotify and Youtube as well as the Empathy Test & the Stars and Letters websites.
“Throwing Stones” EP will be released on the 6th December. The title track is free to listen to at empathy-test.bandcamp.com. The EP can be pre-ordered through the same link.
Learn more about the Band at http://starsandletters.com/empathytest/ and follow on twitter @empathytest
Doom Absolute... Purgatory with a Sci Fi Twist
Doom Absolute is a weirdly gripping tale set in the purgatory type realm of Illumina. The story centres around Alma, a young woman whose life is cut tragically short, is offered the opportunity to come back from the dead. However, as with most golden opportunities like this, there is an almighty catch… in this case a nightmarish world where supernatural creatures are a very real threat.
This was a real adventure to read, Richard Worth has managed to craft a well thought out and vivid world in a unique setting. The characters were most certainly imaginative and plentiful yet at the same time each one was clearly thought out and actually had a character of their own.
My only issue with this novel is the length of the chapters, they are sizable. There was a lot of content in there and I did find myself having to re-read sections, I would say this is a read during the day and not last thing at night. Despite this one very minor issue, I loved this book and was completely immersed in this mysterious, horrific yet fantastic imaginary world.
Click HERE to get your copy.
Doom Absolute is a weirdly gripping tale set in the purgatory type realm of Illumina. The story centres around Alma, a young woman whose life is cut tragically short, is offered the opportunity to come back from the dead. However, as with most golden opportunities like this, there is an almighty catch… in this case a nightmarish world where supernatural creatures are a very real threat.
This was a real adventure to read, Richard Worth has managed to craft a well thought out and vivid world in a unique setting. The characters were most certainly imaginative and plentiful yet at the same time each one was clearly thought out and actually had a character of their own.
My only issue with this novel is the length of the chapters, they are sizable. There was a lot of content in there and I did find myself having to re-read sections, I would say this is a read during the day and not last thing at night. Despite this one very minor issue, I loved this book and was completely immersed in this mysterious, horrific yet fantastic imaginary world.
Click HERE to get your copy.
Empathy Test. Indie Synth/Electro Sensation on the Horizon
It was a regular Friday. I logged into my Twitter account and went to my notifications. Since joining various Indie author forums, it wasn’t unusual to find numerous follows or tweets from other Indies. It’s also not unusual to have some crazy twitter handles suddenly appear in my follow box. Last Friday, a particularly eye catching name appeared in that list… @empathytest, a new synth-pop band based in London.
Naturally, the Voight-Kampff test from Blade Runner sprang to mind (for those not in the know. 1. The VK is a test to find out if you are an Artificial Person or a Replicant. 2. What’s wrong with you? Seriously? It’s one of the most famous and ground breaking science fictions of all time!). Anyway, I tweeted “Empathy Test” and was impressed to discover that they did in fact name their band after the VK test from Blade Runner– a band with a fascination with classic Sci-Fi, my interests were heightened.
I checked out their music initially out of courtesy, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked to read or listen to a new novel or band and been met with something that sounded like it was recorded in a basement. I really wasn’t expecting anything special.
OMG! How wrong was I?
The first track from the 4 track “Losing Touch EP” (also called “Losing Touch”) took me back to the electro/synth-pop days of the 80s. Empathy Test’s style is reminiscent of the likes of "Depeche Mode" and the "Pet Shop Boys". But instead of sounding like a rehash of 80s’ electro, “Empathy Test” have produced a mesmerising and fantastic identity which sets them apart from pretty much everything else currently on the scene. I’ve been listening to the EP for nearly a week now and not gotten bored of it, instead it has found its way onto my Napster playlists. To give you an idea, I’ve placed “Losing Touch” to play on my slick night driving playlist along with “Muse”, “Depeche Mode” and “Here is Your Temple”.
I’d strongly recommend giving these guys a listen, they are definitely a band to keep an eye out in the future. “Empathy Test” have their own YouTube channel which includes a cool cover of “Somebody that I used to Know” by Gotya. Check them out by CLICKING HERE
QUICK UPDATE ON EMPATHY TEST..... They have been SIGNED to Stars and Letters Records! Massive congratulations, clearly a great future ahead.
It was a regular Friday. I logged into my Twitter account and went to my notifications. Since joining various Indie author forums, it wasn’t unusual to find numerous follows or tweets from other Indies. It’s also not unusual to have some crazy twitter handles suddenly appear in my follow box. Last Friday, a particularly eye catching name appeared in that list… @empathytest, a new synth-pop band based in London.
Naturally, the Voight-Kampff test from Blade Runner sprang to mind (for those not in the know. 1. The VK is a test to find out if you are an Artificial Person or a Replicant. 2. What’s wrong with you? Seriously? It’s one of the most famous and ground breaking science fictions of all time!). Anyway, I tweeted “Empathy Test” and was impressed to discover that they did in fact name their band after the VK test from Blade Runner– a band with a fascination with classic Sci-Fi, my interests were heightened.
I checked out their music initially out of courtesy, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked to read or listen to a new novel or band and been met with something that sounded like it was recorded in a basement. I really wasn’t expecting anything special.
OMG! How wrong was I?
The first track from the 4 track “Losing Touch EP” (also called “Losing Touch”) took me back to the electro/synth-pop days of the 80s. Empathy Test’s style is reminiscent of the likes of "Depeche Mode" and the "Pet Shop Boys". But instead of sounding like a rehash of 80s’ electro, “Empathy Test” have produced a mesmerising and fantastic identity which sets them apart from pretty much everything else currently on the scene. I’ve been listening to the EP for nearly a week now and not gotten bored of it, instead it has found its way onto my Napster playlists. To give you an idea, I’ve placed “Losing Touch” to play on my slick night driving playlist along with “Muse”, “Depeche Mode” and “Here is Your Temple”.
I’d strongly recommend giving these guys a listen, they are definitely a band to keep an eye out in the future. “Empathy Test” have their own YouTube channel which includes a cool cover of “Somebody that I used to Know” by Gotya. Check them out by CLICKING HERE
QUICK UPDATE ON EMPATHY TEST..... They have been SIGNED to Stars and Letters Records! Massive congratulations, clearly a great future ahead.
Andy's Review of.... The Foreman by Charles Culver
Star Summary. 4 Stars
Synopsis
On a routine business trip to Pennsylvania, Jeff Parker awakens at 2am in the Home Away From Home Suites to a loud knocking at his door... A voice outside claims there is a gas leak. At first angry and suspicious, Jeff makes the fatal mistake of opening the door...
Jeff's mother, Sara, worries when she does not hear from him. She recruits old family friend and detective Bill Anderson to help, and they both venture off in search of the missing man. Bill has checked into Room 203 of the same hotel. But will Bill and Sara manage to find Jeff in this eerie place, or will they fall prey to the same mysterious, chilling fate that has befallen him?
What I Thought
Overall I enjoyed this novel. The author has put together an inventive and creepy novel.
The story has unnerving moments which draws the reader into the paranoia experienced by the two protagonists.
I did feel that the ending was a little abrupt and some the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more to make them believable.
Otherwise it was a good page turner which took me around 2 hours to get through. Great if you happen to be spending a night in a creepy old hotel (which was exactly what I was doing when I read this).
The Foreman can be downloaded from Amazon now for a very reasonable 77p - Click Here
Star Summary. 4 Stars
Synopsis
On a routine business trip to Pennsylvania, Jeff Parker awakens at 2am in the Home Away From Home Suites to a loud knocking at his door... A voice outside claims there is a gas leak. At first angry and suspicious, Jeff makes the fatal mistake of opening the door...
Jeff's mother, Sara, worries when she does not hear from him. She recruits old family friend and detective Bill Anderson to help, and they both venture off in search of the missing man. Bill has checked into Room 203 of the same hotel. But will Bill and Sara manage to find Jeff in this eerie place, or will they fall prey to the same mysterious, chilling fate that has befallen him?
What I Thought
Overall I enjoyed this novel. The author has put together an inventive and creepy novel.
The story has unnerving moments which draws the reader into the paranoia experienced by the two protagonists.
I did feel that the ending was a little abrupt and some the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more to make them believable.
Otherwise it was a good page turner which took me around 2 hours to get through. Great if you happen to be spending a night in a creepy old hotel (which was exactly what I was doing when I read this).
The Foreman can be downloaded from Amazon now for a very reasonable 77p - Click Here
Andy's Review of.... Only the Dead: An African War by M.W. Duncan.
Star Summary. 5 Stars
Only the dead is set at the time of the second Liberian Civil War and follows a British military consultant Mark (shadowed by an independent war reporter Kyle) as he and a rebel militia group evacuate the invaded town of Zorzor and make their way through hostile terrain under enemy fire.
Only the dead is told from the perspective of the main character, Mark, thus providing an intense first person perspective of the situation as it unfolds. Mark appears to have developed an acceptance to the horrors around him, such as the violent beating of prisoners, child-soldiers bearing arms and endless bloody conflicts. The secondary character, Kyle, is clearly very naïve and would reflect the typical Western opinion of the war in Africa of disgust and outrage. It is this relationship which I find most interesting in the story as the author uses both characters to emphasise the contrasting opinions of the West and Africa toward the civil war, this is very much a war fought in Africa by Africans for Africans and the opinions of the West carry very little weight in the warzone by the opposing leaders and those caught up in the conflict.
As for writing style, the story is generally very well written and I found it very easy to be captivated.
I would say as a developing author, this work shows great promise for the future. The author has clearly researched this emotive war and created a work which reflects the horrors of the Second Liberian War
Only the Dead is available now through Amazon as an Ebook for a modest £1.54 and in paperback for £5.41.
Star Summary. 5 Stars
Only the dead is set at the time of the second Liberian Civil War and follows a British military consultant Mark (shadowed by an independent war reporter Kyle) as he and a rebel militia group evacuate the invaded town of Zorzor and make their way through hostile terrain under enemy fire.
Only the dead is told from the perspective of the main character, Mark, thus providing an intense first person perspective of the situation as it unfolds. Mark appears to have developed an acceptance to the horrors around him, such as the violent beating of prisoners, child-soldiers bearing arms and endless bloody conflicts. The secondary character, Kyle, is clearly very naïve and would reflect the typical Western opinion of the war in Africa of disgust and outrage. It is this relationship which I find most interesting in the story as the author uses both characters to emphasise the contrasting opinions of the West and Africa toward the civil war, this is very much a war fought in Africa by Africans for Africans and the opinions of the West carry very little weight in the warzone by the opposing leaders and those caught up in the conflict.
As for writing style, the story is generally very well written and I found it very easy to be captivated.
I would say as a developing author, this work shows great promise for the future. The author has clearly researched this emotive war and created a work which reflects the horrors of the Second Liberian War
Only the Dead is available now through Amazon as an Ebook for a modest £1.54 and in paperback for £5.41.