Release
date: March 4th
2016. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
CROWN
– Tracklisting
1.Seaquake
2.Coils
3.Electric
Veil 06:49
4.Atra
5.The
Serpent in the Ice
6.Seven
Heads
7.New
Cult
Band
Members:
Brent,
Tim, Scott, and Tom
Review:
Sludge
Rockers – Hollow Leg – return with their new album – Crown. And
it’s a fitting tile as this album rules with an almighty iron fist.
Crown is packed full of heavy sludge/stoner based rhythms and
grizzled vocals to match. Newly signed to ace Italian record label –
Argonauta Records, Crown is perhaps Hollow Leg’s heaviest, loudest
and most accessible album to date.
Hollow
Leg have created almost anthem like songs with the song-writing
moving up a notch from their last superb album – Instinct –
released a few years back. Opening track – Seaquake – has a
violent sludge based energy which brings the Doom/Stoner based
elements of Hollow Leg’s sound together and it’s a real heavy
pounding effect. Hollow Leg creates a heavy distorted fuzz based
atmosphere. It has a slight NOLA vibe but that’s part of the Hollow
Leg sound. It’s good to see the band injecting top-notch psych
based vibes during later moments of the song.
Second
track – Coils – carries on the heavy distorted sludge based
rhythms from the opening track with the band focusing more on the
Doom/Stoner side of things. It opens with a minute of great riffs
before the vocals kick in and sees the band stamping their authority
on proceedings. The song has a nautical feel to it especially with
the lyrics. Hollow Leg offer more distorted fuzz to drown you with.
Third
track – Electric Veil – runs for almost seven minutes as Hollow
Leg open with a slow-paced riff matched with a NOLA based sound. You
don’t have too long to wait before the heavier riffs appear as the
band opt for a more slow-paced approach. The tone can be quite bleak
at times but the band does inject a welcome dose of blues rock and
psych vibes for another one of the albums standout tracks.
Fourth
Track – Atra – is a semi-acoustic instrumental track that sees
the band creates a cool doomy psychedelic offering. It maybe a short
song but this song is very atmospheric and it’s a welcome change to
the albums earlier heavier moments.
Firth
track – The Serpent In The Ice – is the centre-piece of the
entire album as it runs for an epic nine minutes plus. It’s
definitely the standout track on the album. It sees Hollow Leg create
huge vocals and huge riffs as this song grabs you by the scruff of
the neck for a stirring mix of Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal riffs.
When the band venture into more psych based waters is when things
start to become more exciting as a result. The instrumental work is
flawless through-out as the band has perhaps created their finest
song to date.
Crown
has two more songs to impress you with. Seven Heads and New Cult
offer fifteen minutes of heavy distorted Doom, Sludge and Stoner
Metal sounds immersed with powerful vocals as Hollow Leg create the
heaviest sounds and riffs on the entire album. Both songs show you
how powerful Hollow Leg really are.
I’ve
had Gero at Argonauta Records telling me for a long time how good
this album really is and how much I will dig it. He’s right. I
loved this album from the very first listen. It’s my fave Hollow
Leg album so far and I loved their last album – Instinct – as
well. Crown is a stunning mix of Psych, Sludge, Doom and Stoner
Metal. It’s an album that will only enhance Hollow Leg’s already
deserved reputation within the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal community.
The
production on the album is excellent through out. You can hear and
feel every note being played around you. Crown draws you in right
from the start and it won’t let go of you until the final note is
played. Crown is a must have album. Whatever you do, you need this
album. Plain and Simple.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Barbara at NeeCee Agency and Gero at Argonauta Records for the
promo. Crown will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records from March 4th 2016.
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