The Order Empires Review
The Order
Empires
Massacre Records
2026
The Swiss Hard Rock/Metal outfit The Order released their latest album, “Empires”, back in April, but between surgery and life getting in the way, I never got around to reviewing it. Better late than never, so let's dive in.
This isn't my first encounter with The Order. I spend a fair amount of time in social media groups dedicated to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, both classic and modern, and their name has surfaced more than a few times. I've sampled several of their tracks over the years, but after giving “Empires” multiple spins, it's clear that the band's reputation is well deserved.
On “Empires”, The Order fully embraces its influences while still sounding confident and authentic. There's a strong Whitesnake-esque, go-for-the-throat energy running throughout the album, and I'm not talking about the polished, radio-friendly era. This is the whiskey-soaked, hard-living, hell-raising version of Whitesnake. The songwriting is sharp, the hooks are plentiful, and every track feels crafted with purpose. While firmly rooted in Hard Rock and Metal, there's a subtle pop sensibility at work here. The band clearly understands how to write memorable melodies and develop them into songs that stick with you long after they've ended.
Vocally, “Empires” taps into a sense of nostalgia that immediately clicked with me. It brought back memories of listening to vocal powerhouses like Joe Lynn Turner and Graham Bonnet in my younger years. That's high praise, and it's fitting considering The Order's vocalist recently joined Nazareth, a legendary band with some enormous Rock 'n' Roll shoes to fill.
“Empires” feels tailor-made for the Metalheads who grew up on classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, yet it's energetic and accessible enough to win over younger listeners who prefer their music melodic rather than extreme. The Order has delivered a powerful, hook-laden album that deserves attention. This is a must-hear release.
Standouts – “Warriors”, “Fight For Your Rights”, “The Last Call” and “The Bonehead’s Back”.