Transylvania Stud returns with Empress, his highly anticipated full-length album, released fittingly on Halloween 2024. Known for his grunge and heavy rock roots, Andrew Godfrey, the creative force behind the name, ventures deeper into stoner rock and doom metal territory on this release, delivering a dynamic and immersive listening experience that is his most ambitious work yet.

From the opening notes, Empress captivates with its grunge-laden vocals, reminiscent of Chris Cornell’s soulful and commanding range. Godfrey’s lyrics shine, offering relatable and introspective themes that resonate deeply. While his 2019 release, White Witch, emphasized vocals, Empress balances the scales by elevating the instrumental craftsmanship. Thick, fuzz-drenched guitars dominate, channeling the heavy, atmospheric energy of desert rock and doom pioneers. Intricate solos and diverse textures highlight a matured artistry, with psychedelic and bluesy elements adding layers of depth.

The album’s rich soundscapes pair distorted, riff-driven stoner metal with melodic grunge sensibilities, weaving a sonic tapestry that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Tracks drift between crushing heaviness and experimental exploration, echoing influences from Sleep and Black Sabbath’s more daring moments. Godfrey’s ability to blend these styles seamlessly results in a sound that is uniquely his own—brooding yet expansive, heavy yet soulful.

Attention to detail is evident throughout Empress, from its flawless mixing to evocative artwork that complements the album’s themes. With nods to bluesy progressions, introspective melodies, and expansive desert rock vibes, this album transcends genre boundaries while staying rooted in its stoner and grunge heritage.

Empress solidifies Transylvania Stud’s reputation as a one-man powerhouse capable of crafting music that’s both emotionally resonant and sonically crushing. This record is a must-hear for fans of heavy music, offering a journey that’s as introspective as it is powerful. Empress is not just an album—it’s an experience.

Why you should check it out

This album seamlessly fuses the grit of grunge with the weight of stoner rock, striking a perfect balance between melody and heaviness. Packed with infectious hooks and thick, sludgy riffs, it captures the essence of both genres without feeling derivative. If you are a fan of Queens of the Stone Age or Alice in Chains and anything in between, you’re doing yourself a disservice if you don’t check this album out.

Favorite tracks: Change Your Mind, Clover Club

What might make it even better

Transylvania Stud has mastered the hook-filled grunge track, but I’d love to see him expand on the sound more. Get creative, get a little psychedelic, get a little weird maybe. But who am I kidding? If he did that I’d probably call him long-winded and pretentious… Keep doing what you’re doing T-Stud!

There’s also a moment in my favorite track, “Change Your Mind”, where Andrew sings, “There’s no way around your new paranoia. You’ll never get out, if you let it consume ya”. And I always think he’s going to say, “If you let it destroy ya.” I still think it would sound better… but why try and “change your mind”?

About Transylvania Stud

Transylvania Stud is a hard rock and grunge filled stoner rock project from Nashville, Tennessee. While typically the brain-child of one man, Andrew Godfrey, Empress saw a collaboration with friends and multiple other projects such as 4ohm Mono, The By Gods, Them Fixes, Modern Witchcraft, Worker, and others!

FFO: Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age

About Empress:

• Release Date: October 31, 2024
• Label: Helsing Records
• Produced and Mixed by: George Pauley

Empress is a masterclass in evolution, blending grunge roots with stoner and doom elements to craft a record that’s as powerful as it is memorable. It’s Transylvania Stud’s most ambitious and accomplished work to date—a must-listen for fans of heavy, soulful rock.

Learn more about Transylvania Stud on Bandcamp, Instagram, and X.