What do you get when you combine Star Wars with shredding guitars? Galactic Empire, a certain galaxy far, far away's foremost prog-metal band. The group rose to prominence in 2015 after releasing their viral music video for the Star Wars "Main Theme," garnering them 10 million views and national press coverage. Galactic Empire is comprised of guitarists Erik Ryde, Cotter Champlin and Brett Anspach; bassist Carson Slovak and drummer Grant McFarland. When on stage, they perform in costume as various Star Wars characters.
With two killer albums under their belt -- a 2017 self-titled debut and 2018's Episode II -- Galactic Empire is poised to release their third studio album (via Pure Noise Records), Special Edition. Their creative instrumental reinterpretations of iconic Star Wars tunes from famed composer John Williams continues with verve on this latest record.
Special Edition consists of tracks from newer Star Wars entries, such as the theme songs for The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Star Wars: The Bad Batch and Obi-Wan Kenobi. While the album might resonate with younger Force-sensitive fans with the inclusion of these contemporary tunes, Galactic Empire inserts a few classic Star Wars covers to pay homage to the trilogy that started it all.