Hollow--Modern Cathedral (1998/Nuclear Blast)
Rating--9.2
Speak to Me--RealAudio Crusaders--RealAudio
Power metal with a heavy-prog slant, along the lines of the best of Queensryche,
Elegy, Conception, and so forth. Heavier than most other "progressive" category bands; Hollow
walks the thin line between killer distortion and melodic ecstasy, and will get even heavier in the future.
Extremely note and fast-chord based. Excellent songwriting, excellent musicianship.
The rhythmic and chord-driving "Can You Hear Me?" pulses from the start, and is followed by other
heavy hitters such as "What I Can Be," "Wounds," and the faster "Speak to Me," with its powerful chorus.
"Crusaders"
is a paced endeaver with a tremendous pickup at the end of the song, while "In Your Arms" is melodic, with a very
Conception-ish, flowing chorus.
Other tracks which are definite highlights are the tempo changing "Lies," "Hold Your Banners
High," and "Waiting."
What else can be said? European metal has pushed itself to the forefront of the late '90s music scene,
as corporate America appears unwilling to give the most talented and able acts a chance---if not in signing, then in promotion, either. That's ok,
though. Just hit "play" on the CD deck... the tunes will continue.
HOT CHOPS: The afore-mentioned end section of "Crusaders," as well as the solo riff chunk of "Waiting." Great stuff.
TRACK LIST: Trademark/Can You Hear Me?/Speak to Me/Bagatell 3/Crusaders/Lies/Wounds/In Your Arms/Whispers/Hold
Your Banners High/What I Can Be/Waiting
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