A new arrival on the metal scene in 2023, Bath based HollowKin have a sound that doesn’t pull any punches. They’re an impressively heavy unit, but unlike some of their would-be peers, they’re not just content with exploring a perfect metalcore sound, or driving forth with a world of thrash riffs which pay homage to their heroes and influences. The five tracks which make up their 2024 debut draw from a broad array of metallic fare, taking in intensive prog metal, groove metal and a pinch of doom and hardcore, along with a whole world of metalcore, creating something that’s sometimes familiar, but always without compromise.
Category Archives: Album & EP Reviews
PETER ALEXANDER JOBSON – Burn The Ration Books Of Love
Peter Alexander Jobson mightn’t be a household name, but the singer-songwriter/multi instrumentalist has carved out a long and successful career. He spent sixteen years as a member of I Am Kloot, a moody rock band who achieved great success, eventually earning a Mercury Prize nomination. Under his own name, he has recorded soundtracks for film and television, and also supported the massively popular Elbow on tour. For some, his solo debut ‘Burn The Ration Books of Love’ has been eagerly awaited.
IMPELLITTERI – War Machine
Chris Impellitteri’s ‘Venom’ album from 2015 (his first for Frontiers Records) represented a career low point. Impellitteri had always championed a traditional metal style – very 80s riffs, played at speed – and a world of overly macho lyrical concerns, but that record took his baser instincts to extremes. He hoped it would be a “metal album that everyone could enjoy”, but it was little more than a stuck in the past embarrassment. The follow up ‘Unleash The Beast’ was an improvement thanks to a couple more melodic elements, but still felt half-arsed compared to the best bits of 1988’s ‘Stand In Line’ and the punchy but accessible ‘Grin & Bear It’ from 1992.
KATE BURKART – Another Night EP
Kate Burkart’s 2024 release ‘Another Night’ comes almost a decade after her previous EP ‘Save Me A Seat’, but often shares a stylistic approach that makes the listener feel as if the singer songwriter has never really been away. On these five almost timeless sounding numbers, the performer’s mature voice really comes through, but just as importantly, the arrangements are strong. Three of the songs share a natural blend of Americana and rootsy sounds, along with a warm, almost bluesy guitar tone in a couple of places, which results in something rather satisfying despite any budgetary constraints.
AURSJOEN – Strand EP
Ria Aursjoen will be familiar to some people via her work with Octavian Winters, a band whose recordings offer a more accessible take on gothic and symphonic rock sounds. Musically, the band’s love of an 80s sound is offset by a more contemporary darkness, but whatever route their arrangements take, its often Ria’s voice that’s the big musical draw. With that in mind, this solo EP comes as a very welcome addition to her catalogue. The first release under the Aursjoen name retains a haunting and sometimes gothic atmosphere in places, but much of the material conveys a different mood, often leaning further towards influences from folk and alternative pop, allowing Ria more space to share a dark beauty.