I Empire

Production

Angels & Airwaves started work on I-Empire in the beginning of 2007. It was the first album ever recorded at Jupiter Sound (Macbeth's studio).

On May 20, 2007, in an interview with Alternative Radio, the band said that the album was 60-70% complete and that the record would be out in October or November 2007. DeLonge also stated that the album would continue the element of the first album, but "times ten" and that in a story, I-Empire would follow We Don't Need to Whisper; We Don't Need to Whisper being a "re-birth" of life, and I-Empire being an album about what you do after the rebirth. It has a slightly more mellow, ambient tone with lyrics focusing more on relationships and less about war and conflict.

On May 30, 2007, DeLonge stated in an interview with Kerrang! that the new album would be named I-Empire and "this is as exciting as rock 'n' roll gets!"

On July 29, 2007, as a part of the 'Everybody Hurts' tour, Angels & Airwaves played the studio versions of four new songs from I-Empire to their fans. The songs played were "Secret Crowds", "Sirens", "Lifeline", and "Everything's Magic", along with live acoustic performances of "Everything's Magic", "The Gift", "Good Day", "Do It for Me Now", and "The Adventure". These songs were all recorded and leaked onto the internet, giving fans their first glimpse of I-Empire, along with the acoustic set.

Delay

The album was delayed multiple times before its official release. DeLonge originally stated that I-Empire would be released on October 16, 2007. The release date was later pushed back to October 23, and then November 6, 2007. The record was made available on the band's official website on November 6, 2007.

On October 24, 2007, I-Empire was fully leaked onto the internet, a week before its worldwide release. That same day DeLonge posted his response to the leak on the Angels & Airwaves MySpace.

Vinyl Release

In January 2016, DeLonge's media company, To The Stars inc., announced the release of a 180 gram clear first pressing of I-Empire, available only to paid members of the company's website. The vinyl edition features bonus acoustic tracks, "The Adventure" and "Good Day." The record was produced on vinyl by SRC Vinyl and Stan Ricker Mastering. In early February 2016, SRC Vinyl announced a 180 gram gold colored second pressing of the record, available exclusively on the SRC Vinyl website to the public.

On January 11th 2017, DeLonge and To The Stars inc. announced via social media and To The Stars official website that the entire Angels & Airwaves discography, which includes a re-pressing of "I-Empire", will be released in a new vinyl collection collectively called Angels & Airwaves 2017 HOPE vinyl collection. Angels & Airwaves and To The Stars inc. also made the albums from the discography such as "I-Empire" and EPs available individually. The collection is only available on the To The Stars official website and became available for pre-order January 11th, 2017 and is expected to be officially released February 15th, 2017. This re-pressing of "I-Empire" as well as the other albums in the collection are 180 gram transparent LPs each with their own individual o-card slipcase that feature a double-sided die cut "AVA" logo.

Reception

I-Empire debuted at #9 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, with just over 66,000 copies sold in its first week. It went on to sell a further 20,000 copies in its second week. As of December, 2009, the album has sold 255,000 copies in the United States and 500,000 worldwide.

Promotion

"Everything's Magic" was made available for streaming via the group's Myspace account on August 29, 2007, and was released to radio on September 18. On November 16, DeLonge announced on Modlife that the band were making a short film for the song "Breathe". The short film for the song was made shortly after, and was later released exclusively to premium Modlife members. Prior to this "Everything's Magic" became the album's first single.

On January 30, 2008, the band embarked on their headlining North American tour, playing sold-out theaters with Meg and Dia, Ace Enders and The Color Fred. The tour was completed on March 15, 2008.

"Secret Crowds" was chosen as the second single from I-Empire, although "Call to Arms" was also considered, after receiving lots of positive feedback and decent digital sales. The song impacted radio on February 5, 2008.

On February 25, 2008, "Secret Crowds" aired on MTV2, being the band's second single from the album to hit commercial heights with a music video. It has since gone onto Kerrang! TV and Scuzz in the UK.

"Breathe" is the third single taken from the album, and the video was released on June 20, 2008.

Track listing

All lyrics written by Tom DeLonge; all music composed by Angels & Airwaves.

Charts