Band: Blessthefall
Release: Hollow Bodies
Release Date: Out Now
‘Hollow Bodies’ is the fourth album from Blessthefall and to say that they have gone through some major transitions as a band would be an understatement. Sometimes it takes a band a while to really find their sound and Blessthefall have hit the nail on the head with ‘Hollow Bodies’. Their promise to become one of the best metal core bands in the world seems like a reachable goal.
Opener ‘Exodus’ builds expectations as the drums and guitars pound through almost a minute without any vocals. Electronic beats and backing may give a slightly altered impression of the direction the album goes in. Yes there are beats but it isn’t one of those albums like every other metal core band are trying to make where they just blast beats over their normal music. Every sampling is perfectly placed and fitting. Beau picks his moment to enter vocally and my what an entrance it is. The mixture of vocals from Beau and bassist Jared flow perfectly from deep growls to sweet clean vocals the band are and truly showing off their versatility on ‘Hollow Bodies’.
The tracks throughout are as heavy as any metal core band should be but mixes in the right amount of melody and technical brilliance. Blessthefall seem to have finally hit their stride with their fourth offering and it hasn’t come quick enough.
The brutal pounding of ‘Youngbloods’ marries electronic and metal core in a way that many bands fail to create. From the opening crushing riffs and banging drums to frantic screeched vocals it’s a song that any band would be proud of creating. It’s only half a minute in that the crunchy breakdowns start and ‘Youngbloods’ really shows off how far Beau’s vocals have come.
‘Youngbloods’ is also the first of the tracks to showcase guest vocals, showing off Jesse Barnett of Stick To Your Guns whilst ‘Carry On’ features guest vocals from Jake Luhrs of August Burns Red. Two different styles of vocals whilst both creating explosive, fast paced belters.
Closer ‘Open Water’ features Beau’s wife Lights lending her vocals to the track and the electronic pop edge to her voice merges perfectly. It is also here that we hear to it’s full extend Beau’s clean vocals. With the altering clean vocals of the pair ‘Open Water’ really shows off the lighter side of Blessthefall.
‘Hollow Bodies’ is one huge step in the direction that all metal core bands want to move in. From impeccable vocals to come heavy breakdowns we can’t find anything lacking on this album. It’s this album that may push Blessthefall to where they deserve to be.
9/10
Reviewed by: Rhian Westbury
