EMPYRIA - BEHIND CLOSED DOOR - 1996

After numerous gigs & demos Empyria headed into Greenhouse studios in Burnaby, B.C. to record Behind Closed Doors which was released in March 1996 on T&T/Noise Records, received excellent reviews and an 8 out of 10 in the Collectors Guide To Heavy Metal written by Martin Popoff.

Philip Leite (Osiris/Masterpiece) replaced Paul on vocals in late 1997. His higher vocal range brought a new sound to the band and in December of 1997 Empyria started to record Changing Currents. Soon after recording, a suitable bass player was finally found in Ken Firomski(Iron Gypsy/Uncle Sid).

The name "Empyria" was derived from the word empyrean pertaining to the purest place in heaven or the place of pure fire in hell. Using this in a musical context their music ranges from heavy to melodic with a definite progressive edge. Their influences range from progressive rock/metal bands to jazz & classical artists and they are always striving to combine strong musicianship with good song writing.

In August 1999, Empyria began recording the Legacy EP, available as a new release on Nightmare Records. The EP contains all four parts, including the previously unreleased "The Legacy(of final darkness)" as one continuous 25 minute journey. Also, Empyria recorded their first cover tune, Synchronicity II by the Police, and put their own twist on the classic. Empyria have gone back into the studio to record their fourth full length CD tentatively called Sence ofMind, to be released by summer 2001.

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