Empire is the second studio album by Kasabian, marking a decisive shift toward a broader, more theatrical sound. Building on the momentum of their debut, the band push their influences further, folding glam rock, psychedelia, dance music and classic British rock into a set designed for scale and impact. The album introduces drummer Ian Matthews and captures a transitional moment for the band, with early contributions from founding songwriter Christopher Karloff alongside Sergio Pizzorno’s increasingly central role. Across the record, Kasabian favour big gestures: sweeping strings, driving rhythms, and dramatic dynamic shifts that underline their appetite for spectacle. Stylistically, Empire moves freely between swaggering rock, sunlit pop and rave-leaning momentum, balancing melodic immediacy with experimental flourishes. Acoustic moments and cinematic closers temper the album’s bombast, revealing a more reflective side beneath the bravado. Critically, Empire prompted mixed but generally positive responses. Reviewers noted its ambition and scale, praising the band’s confidence in blending disparate influences, even as some questioned its consistency. Taken as a whole, the album stands as a bold statement of intent, capturing Kasabian in the act of redefining their identity on a larger canvas. Available on vinyl.