E.P. Review: My Hollow - Fighting the Monsters
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Seven years since they released ‘On Borrowed Time’, Canadian progressive groove merchants My Hollow have finally got some new music to shout about. Whereas’ On Borrowed Time’ crossed their heavy groove with elements of hardcore and crossover, this five-track E.P. is more expansive, Utlising synths and melodies within their catchy breakdowns. The band has added lead guitarist Danio Pirrone and keyboardist Matt Williams to the line-up, expanding My Hollow to a six-piece with the snarling aggression of vocalist Graham Gaudreault still very much front and centre.
At 25-minutes long ‘Fighting the Monsters’ brings decent value and opens with the impressive ‘Vultures’. (Check out the weird puppet video for this one below.) There is more than a comparison to British powerhouse band Krysthla, with Gaudreault very much similar in vocal delivery to one Ade Mayes of the Northampton outfit. The use of keys works well, laced through the track adding depth and at no point overpowering the music.
The inclusion of Soilwork’s Björn Strid on the title track is a real coupe, adding heft and weight to a blistering slab of deathcore which again uses the keys to great effect. The twin guitar assault races along, with the solid anchoring of bassist Sean De Faria and drummer Angelo Giammattolo, whilst the sound is just huge and Strid’s help on the clean choruses are magical.
The other tracks are muscular, powerfully constructed and with enough about them to maintain the interest. That in part is due to the keys which really add another dimension. The thick riffs, crushing groove and overall composition is solid. Solos don’t get over complex and add to the overall songs. One can only imagine the damage that these boys can do live, and tracks like the fast-paced ‘Faded Through’ and the explosive finale of ‘The Iron harvest’ will incite dangerous levels of pit action. An interesting and welcome return.
