HOLLOW
Hollow - Modern Cathedral (Nuclear Blast) 1998
1. "Trademark"
(4:47)
2. "Can You Hear Me?" (3:32)
3. "Speak to Me" (4:02)
4. "Bagatell" (3:50)
5. "Crusaders" (3:43)
6. "Lies" (4:11)
7. "Wounds" (3:15)
8. "In Your Arms" (4:30)
9. "Whispers" (4:07)
10. "Hold Your Banners High" (3:42)
11. "What I Can Be" (4:08)
12. "Waiting" (4:53)
Originally released on a small record company (MM records in Umeå, Sweden) the
band was signed to Nuclear Blast in 1997 who reissued "Modern Cathedral" with
new cover art. Hollow combine power metal with heavy progressive metal. They
manage to blend mid-80's Queensryche with a traditional European power metal sound. Unlike many progressive metal
bands, however, Hollow aren't overly technical. They are also heavier than most
progressive band. Unlike many power metal bands, "Modern Cathedral" isn't packed
with keyboards. Rather, I think the best description for "Modern Cathedral"
is just heavy metal. The vocals are unique and charismatic, although I do hear
some similarities to Tom Malicoat of Lethal.
The music is mostly mid-paced, but the fine line the band draws between the
heavy guitar riffs and melodic song writing is enchanting and held my interest
enough that I even wanted to hit the back button a few times and hear a song
over again on the first listen. "Crusader" was one such number. This song is
an excellent, heavy, mid-paced romp with a hook that could catch a shark. The
follow-up song "Lies" is also interesting as it adds in some banjo. This might
sound like a bad thing but it really works in much the same way it worked in Aerosmith's classic "Kings and Queens".
Other tracks which are definite highlights are "Hold Your Banners High," and
"Waiting."