Empty Hands release new demo, set speakers to doom, see them at Smatter 5/3

by | Apr 27, 2015 | MUSIC

Richmond’s got a new black metal project to get behind – meet Empty Hands and be prepared to get the fuck out of the way.


Richmond’s got a new black metal project to get behind – meet Empty Hands and be prepared to get the fuck out of the way.

Matt Gumm, guitarist for Empty hands, reached out to us with his band’s new demo and it has managed to make a few spins in the office since then.

Most of Empty Hands are RVA locals with a history of dredging through metal house shows. The five members (Gumm – Guitar, Justin Torone – Guitar, Robert Holsinger – Bass, Andy Bunch – Drums, Tanner Ridgeway – Vocals) could all share stories about “our parents freaking out when we brought home some pissed sounding record with something horrible on the cover,” and that undoubtably played a role in Empty Hands formation, says Gumm. “From there it was just a matter of time before each of us picked up our respective instruments and tried to cobble together something with friends.”

Gumm said the music, which is a bit on the harsh side (so heads up), represents his and his band mates’ state of mind at any given time – often these moments are not high points, but they make for some solid tunes.

“You get to feel something you never really knew existed within yourself for about 3 minutes,” said Gumm. “Then its over and your life is a little more bleak until you find something else that can cut a little deeper and you are moved again. ”

The different members of Empty Hands each had different levels of recording experience, so going into this demo recording session was kind of a crap shoot, but one Gumm looked back on fondly in the end.

“We may have been a bit more of a handful than Cavin Vanderpoel (our engineer) was expecting but everyone really killed it,” said Gumm. “I think we ended up using just about everyone’s first take of all of their parts.”

Gumm said the band aimed for a stripped down and basic album, with a less engineered sound and few edits. “I’m pretty proud of what we ended up with. I think all of our expectations were surpassed in how smooth everything went and how great it turned out,” said Gumm.

It took a bit for Empty Hands to come together, and patience was key to the project. “Taking the time to write something worth playing and listening to,” said Gumm. “Even from something as simple as getting all of the right people in place; we had the hardest time finding a singer.”

Vocalist Tanner Ridgeway was the result of a Craiglist ad – so sometimes things just fall together. “I think there were some serious doubts about whether we were ever going to make any progress.”

Keep an eye out for more from Empty Hands, especially as they release a split 7″ with their friends Venomspitter.

They’ll also be taking the state at Strange Matter on 5/3 with Baltimore’s Multicult, so check them out live there, and keep up with them on facebook here.

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




more in music

Here We Go! Richmond Music of Right Now 2025

UPDATE! February 10th, 10am: Voting is now closed. We'll be reviewing the results over the next few days to ensure everything was fair and accurate. Thank you for participating and supporting the local music scene.Let’s be real—thank you. Independent media doesn’t...

MJ The Musical Brings The King of Pop to Life at Altria Theater

When MJ The Musical hit the Altria Theater on Tuesday night, Richmond showed up. A packed house, fans rocking single sequined gloves—yeah, the energy was Thrilling (pun intended). As an ‘80s kid, walking into that kind of atmosphere was electric....

Welcome Back Dave Matthews Band, Its Been Awhile

For the first time in nearly three decades, the Dave Matthews Band (DMB) will perform in Richmond, Virginia. The band has announced two back-to-back shows at the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront on July 15 and 16, 2025. For longtime Richmonders, this is more than...

Sound Check! Wes Parker, Rubblebucket, Sweet Bahs

In a dancing mood this week. We got some bouncers, some swayers, some goth sporadic twitching. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.  Gallery5 Friday January 31st, 2025Wes Parker, Opin, Sun V Set...

Vinyl Conflict | Where Richmond Music Gets Love

Richmond isn’t flashy. Its culture doesn’t scream for attention; it waits for you to find it. Vinyl Conflict is a record shop that doesn’t just sling albums but actively shapes the city’s music scene, funding releases, hosting shows, and putting Richmond’s artists on...

Sound Check! Bone Machine, Benjamin Shepherd, Nicotine Dolls

Sometimes the world feels bleak. Right now, in my eyes, the world looks bleak. I went to think about it, take stock of what puts gas in my tank, and did my pondering at The Camel, at Gallery 5, at Bandito’s. After all that, I didn’t feel so bad. Got a show coming up?...