Angels and Airwaves' 2005 debut We Don't Need To Whisper signaled the beginning of a concept that not only continues, but flourishes with the release of the band's sophomore full-length, I-Empire. That's because the San Diego-based rock group, fronted by Tom DeLonge, has always considered both We Don't Need to Whisper and I-Empire two halves of its double-album concept.
While the band's debut addressed infinite possibility in the human experience, I-Empire furthers the topic, referencing the idea that the empire that one builds exists within oneself. "It's a way of looking at the world, as the world is yours," DeLonge says.
As for I-Empire's musical foundation, DeLonge notes that it's "a hybrid of everything about alternative music that I grew up listening to, like punk rock music and new wave. I am really excited for people to hear it."
The members of Angels And Airwaves created their own experience earlier this year, spending six months recording their latest release at DeLonge's studio in San Diego, with drummer Atom Willard, guitarist David Kennedy and new bassist Matt Wachter (formerly of 30 Seconds To Mars).
"Matt's a punk rock kid at heart," DeLonge says. "He grew up on the Descendents, Fugazi and Gorilla Biscuits — all the bands that we grew up listening to."
Much like Angels and Airwaves' debut, I-Empire also delivers a diverse collection of songs, from expansive compositions to straight-ahead pop-oriented rockers, of which DeLonge notes, "sounds more like 'old Tom DeLonge,' but with these Angels and Airwaves choruses."
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