they flipped expectations and launched their first full length record since 2012 with a headline-making prank that had everyone buzzing.
"Trailblazers often pivot like this, but here the change feels genuine, not forced. The glitchy elements that define metalcore become interesting again because Attack Attack II takes real risks."
5/5 - New Noise Magazine
Leading lights of British metal, EMPLOYED TO SERVE, take pride in their place on the heavy metal world stage as they return with a brand new single "Atonement" feat. Will Ramos of Lorna Shore. The band also shares the release date of April 25th for their long-awaited new studio album, ‘Fallen Star.’
“We want to fly the flag for heavy metal and the traditions that it holds,” offers guitarist and songwriter Sammy Urwin, “But at the same time we want to play our part in taking things forward.”
The track features Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos, who in addition to his guttural growls, offers clean vocals for the first time ever on an album feature. The song is built around distorted guitars, battering-ram rhythms, and a Judas Priest-style solo, before shooting into what vocalist Justine Jones describes as “an arena rock chorus!”
“'Atonement' takes aim at those who try to lord their power over you. The only way to defeat these people is by rising above their behaviour and pushing forward on your own path,”explains Sammy. “We wanted to lead with this single because it is the track that encompasses the ethos of EMPLOYED TO SERVE as a whole. We're strong believers of working hard and not letting life and the negative people in it affect your goals and aspirations.”
The music video was largely filmed in Scranton, PA, home of the American mockumentary sitcom, The Office (US).
Justine adds, "The studio was a shrine to the show, and Dwight, which was fun to explore in between filming! We wanted to portray someone in power/authority trying to wear down their captive through aggression. I found it very hard to keep a straight face while choking out Sammy, by take 15 or so I got more into it as the jetlag and hot weather made me feel more unhinged...”
Watch the video for "Atonement" feat. Will Ramos below.
Since meeting in their teens on the outskirts of London, vocalist Justine Jones and guitarist / co-vocalist Sammy Urwin have had their sights fixed on the road ahead. At first, it was all about standing with the local scene bands they admired, but before long they were forging a path of their own, lifers with a mission, evolving from the feral mathcore of their early EPs to detonating a full-throttle career high with 2021 album, ‘Conquering’.
And now there’s ‘Fallen Star’, an 11-track tour-de-force that sees the collective EMPLOYED TO SERVE vision refined to an even sharper degree.
Produced and mixed by Lewis Johns, a longstanding presence behind the desk, it features a number of special guests, including Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach on "Whose Side Are You On?" and Svalbard’s Serena Cherry on "Last Laugh".
‘Fallen Star’, the band’s third album via Spinefarm, is a record of dizzying diversity, yet also one that is utterly uncompromising. Taking a deliberately different path to the cathartic anger of fan favourite release, 'The Warmth of a Dying Sun' (2017), ‘Fallen Star’ focuses on positive themes, such as finding inner confidence, sticking fearlessly to beliefs and embracing the power that flows within a tight-knit group.
Today marks the start of the pre-order for ‘Fallen Star’, which will be available in various formats including a limited run of ‘black sunburst’ and ‘orange w/ black splatter’ vinyl. Pre-order'Fallen Star' HERE.
EMPLOYED TO SERVE have played every type of big show imaginable, from Bloodstockthrough to Glastonbury in the UK, and Hellfest, Wacken and Roskilde across Europe. On previous the album, ‘Conquering’, they pulverised arenas all over the UK and Europe in support of metal behemoths, Gojira.
In support of ‘Fallen Star’, EMPLOYED TO SERVE kick-off what is shaping up to be a mammoth touring schedule for 2025 with an April UK headline run, taking Celestial Sanctuaryand Burner along as special guests. The 5-date stint finishes with their biggest London appearance yet, at 02 Academy Islington.
Tickets go on sale @10am UK time on Friday, January 24th.
EMPLOYED TO SERVE will appear at a plethora of European summer festivals, including Graspop (Belgium), Jera On Air (The Netherlands) & 2000 Trees (UK). Details of further worldwide touring will be revealed in due time.
EMPLOYED TO SERVE have come, have seen, have conquered, and now reign supreme as one of Britain’s brightest stars, hell bent on forging their legacy of Heavy Metal Unity. Long may it continue.
EMPLOYED TO SERVE are:
Justine Jones – vocals
Sammy Urwin – guitar/vocals
David Porter – guitar
Nathan Pryor – bass
Casey McHale – drums
