South African metalcore outfit Lower Hollow released their second album, “Threnody: Songs Of Fortitude” on the 19th of July and it is a joy to behold on the back of the adversity they have gone through in the last while.
Opening the album is “Unrequited” an atmospheric instrumental that leads you unknowingly into the chaos of “Eternal Divide”, a blistering track that will leave you breathless; from its thumping drums and bass line to the savage vocals and brutal riffs to the melodic breakdown, this just screams, literally, brilliance. Not to be out done “Social Disease” roars into life with De Beer’s incessant drumming as Bryce comes roaring on over the top and with the triple threat of guitars from Smit, Coetzee and Buttrick you are faced with a frenzied assault on the senses that leaves a mark, but what else would you want. “Resound & Sustain” keeps the intensity up yet has a melodic sound to it and Bryce’s vocals don’t seem as harsh, another cool track with a great finish. One of the best tracks on the album is “The Process Of Letting Go” Like it’s predecessor it is heavy as hell but very melodic, when listening to it Gojira’s “Stranded” will spring to mind, particularly around the chorus’ and the breakdown, its stunning track with each and every one of the band dialled in and on top form, the piano piece about three minutes is is exquisite, completely out of place but right at home, a fantastic track.
Title track “Threnody” brings the heavy and hardback big time with crushing riffs, a booming bass and thundering drums, Bryce really lets rip on this one, not that he hadn’t before he just sounds more powerful and the clean vocals provided by Smit are a nice foil to his screamed ones. The second half of the album is all about the heavy and “Leech” most certainly is that, the pummeling drums, killer riffs and a bass line that will blow your socks off all capped off with Byrce’s unbelievable vocals another contender for track of the album, pure class. Roaring into life is “Somewhere To Belong”, a chaotic thrasher that is a million miles an hour and barely gives you a chance to draw breath, unapologetic and unyielding, a brutal track. In a similar vein to the previous track, “Burning Bridges” keeps the anger and rage to a maximum with a savage assault, the drums and guitars create a kicking rhythm with the bass rumbling underneath it all as Bryce slays it on the vocals, it chills towards the backend of the track with a calming outro that leads nicely into “Lamentation Pt 1” a calming melodic instrumental. “Fundamental” closes the album by encapsulating all that has gone before, be it heavy or melodic and is the perfect finale, finesse and power at its best.
It’s hard to believe that a few months ago the band was in disarray with members leaving and what not that they would come up with such an amazing album, one word unreal.
Review: Conor
| |||||||||||||||||
|
Lower Hollow are:
Trystan Bryce Vocals
Chad Smit Guitar/backing vocals
Benjamin Coetzee Guitar
Ethan Buttrick Guitar
Rudi Lombard Bass
Ashley De Beer Drums