Empros - Russian Circles
Empros Image
  • Band members: Mike Sullivan, Brian Cook, Dave Turncrantz
  • Summary: The fourth full-length album for the Chicago instrumental metal band was produced by Brandon Curtis of The Secret Machines.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. There's a determination in the undertone of the album. That determination in crafting of a band's best record to date, only covered by the confidence it lets off as well.
  2. Nov 1, 2011
    91
    Empros doesn't just defy gravity, it defines it.
  3. Nov 2, 2011
    90
    The album is the natural progression and refining of everything the band has done prior to it; it encapsulates and exemplifies all at once.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. OOO DANG their best stuff yet! Harder, Prettier, more concise, and more experimental than anything they've ever done before. The album works as a whole, with NO skippable tracks. I can only imagine what it's gonna be like live GEEZ Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. I like the progression here. The obvious definition of the tracks embodies the change of pace throughout the album. Each track has a well credited emotion. I find this as a negative though as I much more enjoyed the cohesiveness of 'Station' where the storytelling nature of the varying rhythms and rigid elements encompassed within each track appeared to flow more fluidly. 'Station' is more like a movie with all the important elements where 'Empros' seems to be more of a drawn out journey of highs and lows. As I get into my car and turn up the volume, the journey heads in a positive direction. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

Related Articles

  1. The Best Albums of 2011

    The Best Albums of 2011 Image
    Published: December 30, 2011
    We reveal our official list of the best-reviewed albums of 2011. Plus, get links to stream virtually all of our top albums, find out which LPs our users preferred, and see which 2011 releases scored the lowest with critics.
  2. October's Best New Music

    October's Best New Music Image
    Published: November 1, 2011
    Last month's best new albums include the latest from Tom Waits, Russian Circles, The Field, and more. Get the full list inside, where you can find out more about each LP, listen to a track from each one, and get links to stream the full albums at Spotify.
  1. Loveless [Reissue] - My Bloody Valentine
    Metascore: 96
  2. Ram [Deluxe Edition] - Paul & Linda McCartney
    Metascore: 93
  3. L.A. Woman - The Doors
    Metascore: 93
  4. On the Impossible Past - The Menzingers
    Metascore: 93
  5. Biokinetics [Reissue] - Porter Ricks
    Metascore: 93
  6. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 91
  7. Reform Club - Claro Intelecto
    Metascore: 89
  8. Be Good - Gregory Porter
    Metascore: 89
  9. Crown and Treaty - Sweet Billy Pilgrim
    Metascore: 88
  10. 1992-2012 - Underworld
    Metascore: 88
  11. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88
  12. Accelerando - Vijay Iyer Trio
    Metascore: 87
  13. R.A.P. Music - Killer Mike
    Metascore: 87
  14. Voices from the Lake - Voices from the Lake
    Metascore: 87
  15. The Earn - Yu
    Metascore: 86
  16. Europe - Allo Darlin'
    Metascore: 86
  17. Young Man In America - Anais Mitchell
    Metascore: 86
  18. Vee Vee [Remastered] - Archers of Loaf
    Metascore: 86
  19. Metascore: 86
  20. Locked Down - Dr. John
    Metascore: 86