The Empire Strikes throws another rock ‘n’ roll blast of a song in our direction

The Empire Strikes are known for their uncompromising action rock style, and the band surprised their fans by releasing the single “Congregation “ last month – and at the same time announcing that a new album is on the way. The single Elwood and Jake, which was born on the album overnight and as the last creation, is another track unveiled from the upcoming album Vol. 5.

“On 1.4.2025 at 9.17 p.m., the ten were still one short of one when Topi presented Tommi on WhatsApp with an instrumental demo containing brisk rock and roll with the accompanying words ‘Would you leave something from the song ID?’. When the clock struck 10:54 p.m. that same evening, Tommi replied: ‘I got a winning idea’ and delivered the lyrics back a day later. So Elwood and Jake were born completely painless overnight.”

In the music video of the song, you can sense the camp spirit of the Blues Brothers and the all-powerful proclamation and good news of rock music.

“With the sacred ethos of The Empire Strikes, rock ‘n roll belongs to everyone from tie men to ladies in jackets, and from denim jacket beards to mommy jeans. The video’s production budget was not lacking this time either. Blues mobile, stuntmen, colored lights and state-of-the-art special effects are combined in the video with world-class party atmosphere. As the song says: ‘TGIF…! Warrior of the weekend rides again!’ Elwood and Jake is the soundtrack of every game at that point of the week when you can hang up your work gloves and take time off!” the band announces.

The Empire Strikes‘ fifth album, Vol. 5, will be released on November 7. The album will be available in both digital format and vinyl; The vinyl version of the album will be released by the Spanish Ghost Highway Records. The band celebrates the Vol. 5 album with gigs in Central Europe and Finland in November and December.

The Empire Strikes live 2025:

16.11.2025 Werkhof, Hagen DE
17.11.2025 Le Laboratoire, Namur BE
20.11.2025 Stollen, Weiler Zum Stein DE
21.11.2025 Rockjungfer, Arnstadt DE
22.11.2025 Zum Schlürschluck, Paderborn DE
5.12.2025 Semifinal, Helsinki FI

The Empire Strikes is:
Tommi Tuoriniemi – vocals, guitar
Topi Tarkki – guitar
Otto Haapanen – rummut
Paavo Kuukasjärvi – basso
Ari Suhonen – keyboards