New Empire, Vol. 1

New Empire, Vol. 1 is the sixth studio album by American rap rock band Hollywood Undead. It was released on February 14, 2020 through Dove & Grenade Media and BMG and was produced by Matt Good.^[9]

New Empire, Vol. 1
Studio album by Hollywood Undead
Released	February 14, 2020 (2020-02-14)
Genre	Metalcore[1][2][3] nu metal[4][5] hard rock[6][7] post-hardcore[8]
Length	32:09
Label	Dove & Grenade Media BMG
Producer	Matt Good
Hollywood Undead studio album chronology
Five (2017) New Empire, Vol. 1 (2020) New Empire, Vol. 2 (2020)
Singles from New Empire, Vol. 1
"Already Dead" Released: October 25, 2019 "Time Bomb" Released: November 15, 2019 "Empire" Released: January 10, 2020

Background and promotion

Hollywood Undead released the lead single "Already Dead" on October 25, 2019. A music video was released about a week later on October 31, 2019.^[10] The second single, "Time Bomb" was released on November 15, as well as the announcement that the album would be titled New Empire, Vol. 1.^[11]

According to member George "Johnny 3 Tears" Ragan: "This album is our attempt at reimagining Hollywood Undead, not just a new sound for this release, but a new sound for the band altogether. Our goal from the outset was to make music that stands alone from our other albums, yet seamlessly fits with what we've made before. Building upon the old to create a new sound and a New Empire."^[12]

In an interview with Silverstein vocalist Shane Told on his Lead Singer Syndrome podcast show, members Danny Murillo and Jorel "J-Dog" Decker confirmed that Benji Madden of Good Charlotte, Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens, and rapper Killstation will be featuring on New Empire, Vol. 1.^[13] On January 10, 2020, one month before the album the release, the band released the third and final single of the album "Empire" and its corresponding music video.^[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[15]
Kerrang!	[2]
Wall of Sound	7/10[8]

The album received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic gave the album a positive review saying, "That vitality is omnipresent throughout the album's brutally efficient 32-minute runtime; a tightly packed sonic assault festooned with djent-y breakdowns, bold electronics, seedy West Coast rap verses, and huge radio-ready choruses. It's not the boldest line of demarcation between the group's past and present -- it's far too soon to be rebranding themselves as Hollywood Reborn -- but New Empire is aptly named, and more importantly, a pretty damn solid record."^[15] Writing for Kerrang!, Tom Shepherd gave the album an overall positive review, giving particular praise to the song "Empire" and the features on the album.^[2] Tamara May of Wall of Sound stated positive opinions about the album, saying the following: "While Hollywood Undead aren't necessarily breaking new ground here, New Empire, Volume I is a solid collection of new tracks for fans to fall in love with. The top production courtesy of Matt Good needs to be commended here as well as the band's attempt at reimagining their sound was a decent effort. I'd definitely recommend adding this into your post-hardcore listening session next time." May also praised the songs "Empire", "Enemy" and "Already Dead", particularly commending the production on the songs.^[8]

Track listing

New Empire, Vol. 1 track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Time Bomb"	3:37
2.	"Heart of a Champion"	3:30
3.	"Already Dead"	3:56
4.	"Empire"	3:59
5.	"Killin' It"	2:55
6.	"Enemy"	3:11
7.	"Upside Down" (featuring Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens)	3:04
8.	"Second Chances" (featuring Benji Madden of Good Charlotte)	4:13
9.	"Nightmare"	3:40
Total length:		32:09

Personnel

Credits adapted from AllMusic.^[16]

Hollywood Undead

• Jorel "J-Dog" Decker – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, programming
• Dylan "Funny Man" Alvarez – vocals
• George "Johnny 3 Tears" Ragan – vocals, bass
• Jordon "Charlie Scene" Terrell – vocals, guitars
• Daniel "Danny" Murillo – vocals, keyboards, programming, guitars, bass

Additional musicians

• Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens – guest vocals on track 7
• Benji Madden of Good Charlotte – guest vocals on track 8
• Joey Sturgis – guitar on track 8
• Luke Holland – drums on tracks 1–4, 6–8

Additional personnel

• Matt Good – production, mastering, mixing, composition
• Ian Dietrich, Chris Nilsson and Andrew Purcell – management
• Darren Craig – art direction
• Randall Leddy – layout

Charts

Chart performance for New Empire, Vol. 1

Chart (2020)	Peak position
Czech Albums (ČNS IFPI)[17]	67
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[18]	30
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)[19]	27
Scottish Albums (OCC)[20]	24
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[21]	43
UK Albums (OCC)[22]	54
US Billboard 200[23]	125
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[24]	14

See also

• List of 2020 albums

References

1. "ALBUM REVIEW: 'New Empire, Vol. 1' by Hollywood Undead". thesoundboardreviews.com/. February 7, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
2. Shepherd, Tom (February 15, 2020). "Album Review: Hollywood Undead – New Empire: Vol 1". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
3. "ALBUM REVIEW: New Empire, Vol 1. – Hollywood Undead". Distorted Sound. February 16, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
4. "The revival of nu-metal". theprowlernews.org. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
5. "Nu Metal's Hit New Album: New Empire Vol 1 by Hollywood Undead". hercampus.com. February 21, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
6. "Hollywood Undead Is Ready to Build A 'New Empire' With Latest Record". billboard.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
7. "Watch Video For HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD's New Song 'Empire'". hardrockradiolive.com. January 10, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
8. May, Tamara (February 13, 2020). "Hollywood Undead – New Empire Volume I (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
9. "Hollywood Undead dropping new album 'New Empire, Vol. 1' on Valentine's Day - Music News - ABC News Radio". abcnewsradioonline.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
10. DiVita, Joe (October 25, 2019). "Hollywood Undead Drop New Song, Sixth Album Coming in 2020". Loudwire. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
11. White, Logan (November 15, 2019). "Hollywood Undead announce new album + release "Time Bomb"". Substream Magazine. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
12. Blabbermouth (November 15, 2019). "HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD To Release 'New Empire, Vol. 1' Album In February". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
13. "Hollywood Undead (Danny and J-Dog) - Lead Singer Syndrome with Shane Told (podcast)". Listen Notes. January 9, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
14. "Hollywood Undead Feel the Weight of the Crown With New Song 'Empire'". Loudwire. January 10, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
15. Christopher Monger, James. "Hollywood Undead New Empire, Vol. 1". AllMusic. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
16. "Hollywood Undead New Empire Vol. 1". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
17. "Czech Albums – Top 100". ČNS IFPI. Note: On the chart page, select 08.Týden 2020 on the field besides the words "CZ – ALBUMS – TOP 100" to retrieve the correct chart. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
18. "Offiziellecharts.de – Hollywood Undead – New Empire One" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
19. "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2020. 8. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
20. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
21. "Swisscharts.com – Hollywood Undead – New Empire One". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
22. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
23. "Hollywood Undead Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
24. "Hollywood Undead Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 27, 2020.