BIFFY CLYRO FRONTMAN TEAMES UP WITH TESTAMENT DRUMMER FOR NEW PROJECT.

Posted on March 1, 2023 by Oran

Imagine Mr Bungle hanging out with Converge, and you’ll be somewhat close to the sound of Empire State Bastard – a new side project featuring Biffy Clyro frontman, Simon Neil, former Slayer/current Testament drummer, Dave Lombardo, and Bitch Falcon bassist, Naomi Macleod. 

Empire State Bastard, the “grindcore extreme metal” band featuring Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro) and Mike Vennart (Vennart, Oceansize, Biffy Clyro live guitarist), have announced details of an intimate UK tour which will take place in late March.

“I like putting myself in these positions where I’m like, ‘I should never be doing this, so this is what I’m going to do’,” Simon told the NME of the duo’s new project. “I don’t just want to do the same shit. Every time between records, I want to do something that’s fucked up and off the wall. It brings me back to Biffy, and I’m more in love with it now than I’ve ever been.”

The band recently posted a gloriously sludgy 16-second riff on February 24th through their social media accounts see below:

 

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A post shared by Empire State Bastard (@esb666_)

The three-date run of shows will feature Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Testament, Fantômas) on drums and Naomi Macleod (Bitch Falcon) on bass.

Tickets for the Glasgow show will go on sale here(opens in new tab), while Manchester and London tickets will be made available here(opens in new tab) from 10am GMT on Friday March 3. It is advised to set your alarms and prime your browsers.

The band recently confirmed a handful of summer festival appearances which include Download on (June 9), Hellfest (June 18), 2000 Trees (July 7), and ArcTanGent (August 17).

We’ll keep you up to date with more news as soon as it unfolds.

Oran O’Beirne

www.overdrive.ie 2023