Hollowhead G.O.D.
Self-Released - 2002
By Patrick Walsh
Hollowhead are another group that seem to be stuck in something of an identity crisis. From the second track onwards on "G.O.D." it becomes clear that the band want to be Machine Head, and this is reflected in the vocalist's fairly blatant Rob Flynnisms, which lack any semblance of an individual touch.
Listening to Hollowhead one would be forgiven for thinking that they emerged from the early 90s American thrash scene that spawned Machine Head and Co, whereas they actually come from Sweden. Come to think of it, the fact that such an American sounding band hails from Scandinavia is intriguing in itself. But really it only serves to highlight the fact that this has been heard a million times before, only done better. Unfortunately the band seem to have inherited some of Machine Heads worst traits too, such as their tendency to write some, ahem, selective lyrics. By including the lyric sheet they certainly werent doing themselves any favours at all.
Such comparisons continue to rear their head at every turn, with the third track Cattle in a Wolven Race being a case in point. In absolute abundance here is Machine Head's technique of repeating a sentence or phrase several times to build a crescendo, before screaming said lyric. It is not even just in this track, its all over the demo. The music is fairly well played, with some reasonable solos (such as the one in Sexual Entertainment) and is nicely produced, but even these attributes cannot save something that is so lacking identity. Having your influences worn on your sleeve on a debut release is one thing, but plagiarism is another. I have a hard time believing that even those who religiously follow bands of this ilk will find much of interest with G.O.D. Still, its only a demo, and with a sound of their own Hollowhead might become a force to be reckoned with yet.
4.5/10
Official Hollowhead Site
Self-Released - 2002
By Patrick Walsh
Hollowhead are another group that seem to be stuck in something of an identity crisis. From the second track onwards on "G.O.D." it becomes clear that the band want to be Machine Head, and this is reflected in the vocalist's fairly blatant Rob Flynnisms, which lack any semblance of an individual touch.
Listening to Hollowhead one would be forgiven for thinking that they emerged from the early 90s American thrash scene that spawned Machine Head and Co, whereas they actually come from Sweden. Come to think of it, the fact that such an American sounding band hails from Scandinavia is intriguing in itself. But really it only serves to highlight the fact that this has been heard a million times before, only done better. Unfortunately the band seem to have inherited some of Machine Heads worst traits too, such as their tendency to write some, ahem, selective lyrics. By including the lyric sheet they certainly werent doing themselves any favours at all.
Such comparisons continue to rear their head at every turn, with the third track Cattle in a Wolven Race being a case in point. In absolute abundance here is Machine Head's technique of repeating a sentence or phrase several times to build a crescendo, before screaming said lyric. It is not even just in this track, its all over the demo. The music is fairly well played, with some reasonable solos (such as the one in Sexual Entertainment) and is nicely produced, but even these attributes cannot save something that is so lacking identity. Having your influences worn on your sleeve on a debut release is one thing, but plagiarism is another. I have a hard time believing that even those who religiously follow bands of this ilk will find much of interest with G.O.D. Still, its only a demo, and with a sound of their own Hollowhead might become a force to be reckoned with yet.
4.5/10
Official Hollowhead Site
