“I love the idea of this video having a dark, gloomy look with people wearing masks,” says Michael Jack Dole the artist behind the EoG moniker. “I didn’t want any faces shown at all.”
“Instead, I wanted images of churches and any religion tied into it as it depicts a person struggling to see any meaning in life – as if all we are is dust and bones,” Dole says.
“I wanted to incorporate ‘creepy’ worldly themes,” he insists.
The single embodies everything Empire of Gold has built his reputation on – grunge. He delivers a heavy performance while staying true to the dynamic range and minimalism that is missing in today’s rock.
The verses have a quiet, rumbling signature sound that builds to a powerful chorus. There’s no need for a wall of guitars as Dole puts it.
“The ability to subtlety bring the song to a deep moving riff right after the chorus is everything we all crave in this heavily over-produced era of rock,” he adds.
The album, The Devil Is In The Details, was recorded in Dole’s home studio. His musical project, he says, is “a concept playing with the thoughts, theories and fears of human mortality. It plays back and forth with theology and atheist views about our dreams, hopes and eventual reincarnation into heaven.”
The L.P. is an impressive foray into the sonic depths of grunge, alt. rock and punk elements, centering on depressing lyrics, but with an ultimate message of hope.
Dole uses Logic Pro X and a lunchbox of pre-amps. Mixing was taken on by Portland engineer Kevin Carafa and later sent to Dirk Steyer of ACSY Sound in Germany for mastering.
His musical influences include Nirvana, Slipnot, Highly Suspect and Green Day.
Dole recently was accepted to the prestigious Berklee School of Music.