In addition, the band have streamed their latest single “Take Back Control” for an upcoming re-release deluxe version of their 2021 breakthrough hit album Conquering. The band have been quite busy since then, providing support for French giants Gojira on their recent arena tour through Europe and finding the time to headline their own shows across the UK.

For front-woman Justine Jones and guitarist Sammy Urwin, this run of success is nothing short of what the band deserves with plaudits pouring in from critics following the release of Conquering, with Kerrang Magazine reporting it a staggering statement of endurance and giving the album a perfect score of 5/5. Touring in the wake of Conquering has been relentless for the group but has come with its benefits as they are now regarded as one of the UK’s greatest metal bands.

Employed to Serve was founded in the small Surrey town of Woking when Jones met Urwin at a party and discovered their mutual love for heavy music. After releasing four albums to date, it has been their latest effort, Conquering that has brought them to the attention of the wider heavy community and the sky appears to be the limit as Employed to Serve go from strength to strength.

For most bands, touring with Gojira as they ripped through Europe would represent the pinnacle of success for a band four albums in, but Employed to Serve, not content playing second fiddle to any band, are taking their high energy shows to audiences around the continent.

A busy rest of 2023 looks on the cards for the band as they look forward to the summer festival season, headlining shows in Europe and in the UK. The British metallers will be looking forward to grabbing their opportunities with both hands as they amass scores of new followers and continue to prove why they are one of the most exciting UK bands to hit the scene in recent memory.

Employed to Serve will be on the bill at festivals including: Wacken Open Air in Germany, 2000Trees and Bloodstock Open Air in the UK. Before their festival season gets under way however, the band will kick off their headlining European run in Switzerland. The UK headlining tour will begin this October.

You can find tickets to all these tours and dates here.

Employed to Serve Summer Headline Tour:

05/06/2023 – Kiff – Aarau, Switzerland
06/06/2023 – Chelsea Club – Vienna, Austria
12/06/2023 – Vaterland – Oslo, Norway
15/06/2023 – Hafenklang – Hamburg, Germany
17/06/2023 – Rock’N’Roll Club – Milan, Italy
18/06/2023 – Circolo Dev – Bologna, Italy
21/06/2023 – Botanique-Rotonde, Brussels, Belgium

Employed to Serve Summer Festival:

02/06/2023 – Rock am Ring – Nürburg, Germany
04/06/2023 – Rock im Park – Nürnberg, Germany
08/06/2023 – Mystic Festival – Gdansk, Poland
10/06/2023 – Sweden Rock Festival – Sölvesborg, Sweden
23/06/2023 – Full Force – Chemnitz, Germany
24/06/2023 – Vainstream Rockfest – Münster, Germany
29/06/2023 – Resurrection Festival – Viveiro, Spain
07/07/2023 – 2000 Trees – Cheltenham, England
02/08/2023 – Rockstadt Extreme – Transylvania, Romania
04/08/2023 – Wacken Open Air – Wacken, Germany
12/08/2023 – Bloodstock Open Air – Derby, England

Employed to Serve UK Headlining Tour:

25/10/2023 – The Cluny 2 – Newcastle
26/10/2023 – The Cathouse – Glasgow
27/10/2023 – The Key Club – Leeds
28/10/2023 – Gorilla – Manchester
29/10/2023 – Craufurd Arms – Milton Keynes
30/10/2023 – Bodega – Nottingham
31/10/2023 – Devil’s Dog – Birmingham
01/11/2023 – Exchange – Bristol
02/11/2023 – Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff
03/11/2023 – Lafayette – London
04/11/2023 – Green Door Store – Brighton

Alfie Templeman
BABii
Black Country, New Road
Eloise
Employed To Serve
Far Caspian
Gunship
Idles (pictured)
John Smith
Max Cooper
Poppy Ajudha
Puma Blue
Sainté
Snapped Ankles
Strawberry Guy
The Anchoress
Theon Cross
Violet Skies
Walt Disco
Yard Act

British music is undeniably a global export, 1 in 10 songs streamed globally are produced by British artists. But this number is not as high as it used to be. In 2015 the UK’s share of the global market was at 17%, now that has slipped to 10% today. This scheme is here to allow some smaller British artists to achieve their full potential overseas, by giving larger access to equipment, licensing, travel, and any other aspects of a band’s routine that allow their music to be heard in other countries. In 2020, the scheme generated £36 million in revenues. Put another way, for every £1 put in by the government, the artists generated 12x that amount. Geoff Taylor, the chief executive of the BPI, backs this by saying “The UK punches well above its weight as the largest exporter of music in the world after the US”.

In regards to boosting the UK’s music scene after covid, Taylor said “Labels continue to invest very heavily in developing new talent and they’re working on new ways to get artists out there. As an industry, we are working on new ways to bring new music to fans, but there’s no doubt it’s harder under a Covid environment.” He adds, “MEGS funding provides a crucial avenue for UK artists to invest early and develop audiences in markets that are traditionally expensive to break. For years, Idles’ renowned live show has been in demand across LATAM, and this support helps us meet that demand with genuine marketing and promotional activity and continue to grow their profile”.

Mike Freer MP, Minister for Exports at the Department for International Trade (@tradegovuk) praised the UK music industry, and reiterated the ambition to grow British music.

Read the story in full https://t.co/yY9GjZgxL6 pic.twitter.com/LPeDHhUhGD

— BPI (@bpi_music) November 18, 2021

The scheme tries to cover as much popular music as Britain has to offer. IDLES, Black Country – New Road, Yard Act, and Snapped Ankles all fall under the ever-increasing brand of Post-Punk. Eloise, BABii, and Sainté are all making moves in the realm of British Pop. Acts like Strawberry Guy and Gunship also offer their own takes on folk and synthwave that also prove that British music comes in many, many forms.

ETS is back with their fourth album Conquering. Fit to the brim with crushing songs, including singles “Exist”, “Mark Of The Grave”, and “The Mistake”. Flirting with genres, the anger and genius of this record take hold. Across its 11 song tracklist, the album takes the listener through the triumphant return of the band. The record covers many emotions we all shared regarding the pandemic but also covers the feelings of ETS’ label Holy Roar falling to collapse. “It’s so easy to let anger get the better of you, and this is an album about self-empowerment. It’s about conquering yourself.” Singer, Justine Jones told Kerrang!.

CONQUERING

Our new album is out today. Go and play it loud!

ETS x https://t.co/pSjvO8RIN1

5/5 Kerrang! Magazine
“A staggering statement of endurance, diversity and sheer unbending power. Bow down to the kings.” pic.twitter.com/dUIObSnEH2

— Employed To Serve (@employedtoserve) September 17, 2021

Employed To Serve are due to hit the stage with Gorija and Alien Weaponry in early 2022. Which will see them play London’s Alexandra Palace, one of the band’s biggest shows to date- so be sure not to miss it. With all three bands having new albums since their last tour, we are sure that this will be full of incredible performances.

04/03/22- Alexadra Palace- London
05/03- Motorpoint Arena- Nottingham
06/03- Newcastle City Hall- Newcastle
08/03- O2 Academy- Glasgow
10/03- Ulster Hall- Belfast
11/03- The National Stadium- Dublin
13/03- Victoria Warehouse- Manchester
14/03- Motorpoint Arena- Cardiff

You can see the full list of locations and get your tickets here.