No matter how many times I hear the same band play this same style over and over again, I have an odd soft spot in my heart for bands that directly take their inspiration from the Floridian melodic metalcore scene of the late 90's; i.e. Strongarm and Shai Hulud, and all of their cohorts. Something about that style cuts through to my heart and gut and makes me want to shatter everything in sight with my fist. Many bands have done it over the years, some better than others, but all give me the same visceral emotion that I've adored ever since I first heard "Sorrow Is A Sage" by Strongarm many years ago. Hollow Earth is no exception, and after hearing this, they are among the top heap of bands that come to mind when I think about music like this.
As it turns out, members of this band did indeed act as touring musicians in Shai Hulud, and it shows in great ways. The music on "We Are Not Humanity" is slightly more based in fast paced, down and dirty hardcore than the aformentioned band, though their influence is felt clearly. At times the songs roll on with a sort of melodic Ruiner style, sometimes even flat out mean like Buried Alive and Turmoil. Layered over all of it are large hints of the atypical chord and melodies of classic Shai Hulud. Some of the riffs are very nicely written and run over multiple measures rather than just 4 of riff A, 4 of riff B, etc etc. This is especially apparent in parts of closer "The Great Remembering" (where the title of the EP comes from). Overall, the lack of over-adventurousness and slight focus on a more tried and true punk and hardcore structure is very beneficial, as it keeps a first time listener from getting lost in a melee of dissonance and math rock time signatures.
Hollow Earth is a band I'd love to see live. Obviously this is hardcore and almost every band can be described as "intense", but there's an extra intense edge that I really like here, and that I think would translate well into a pretty biting live show. Very aggressive and passionate. I also am sure as people who at one point played Hulud songs, these guys are musical juggernauts and can play their asses off on stage, and not just fuck around in the studio until it sounds ok and then shit out a semi inspired, sloppy live set. To sum it all up....Hollow Earth is a great band.
Staff Rating
4.00/5
User Rating
4/5
During their set, I just didn't get it. They aren't bad musicians and play their instruments well but it came off as a series of parts. They had alot of really good riffs but they also had alot of that dated Shai Hulud melodic stuff that I felt really brought down the rest of the tune.
If I'm not mistaken, the singer was in Shades Of Red. We played with them in Lansdale a few months ago and they ruled. They were Hope Conspiracy-ish. While Hollow Earth isn't terrible, I hope he didn't quit or breakup Shades Of Red for this.