Album Review: Hauntologist - Hollow

Hauntologist’s ‘Hollow’ - A Journey Through Sonic Nightmares

Hauntologist, a band that has risen from the ashes of the Polish black metal scene, has released their debut album ‘Hollow.’ This record is not just a collection of songs but a voyage through the depths of the night and the psyche. With members Darkside and The Fall at the helm, ‘Hollow’ promises to be a reflection of their storied past and a beacon for the future of atmospheric black metal.

Background: The album’s genesis lies in the band’s tumultuous history, marked by numerous transformations and a relentless pursuit of musical evolution. Recorded in 2023, ‘Hollow’ is a product of sleepless nights and feverish nightmares, a testament to the band’s resilience and creative fervor.

Musicality: ‘Hollow’ is a masterful blend of genres, weaving together the raw intensity of black metal with the expansive soundscapes of post-rock and indie. The album opens with ‘Ozymandian,’ a track that sets the tone with its sinister riffs and haunting melodies. As the album progresses, tracks like ‘Deathdreamer’ showcase the band’s ability to balance aggression with introspection, creating a sound that is both powerful and poignant.

The background history of Hauntologist’s album Hollow is quite fascinating:

The band Hauntologist has undergone several transformations, experiencing what could be described as “clinical deaths and reanimations.” Despite these challenges, they managed to record their debut album, Hollow, in 2023.

The music of Hollow is deeply rooted in what the band calls “negative metal music.” This genre is known for its dark and often pessimistic themes. However, Hauntologist doesn’t confine themselves to this genre alone; they explore a variety of other genres and forms of expression.

The album seeks to find musical analogies for the experiences of sleepless nights and surreal, anxiety-provoking hallucinations. It’s a reflection of the band’s journey through various states of being and their exploration of different musical landscapes.

During the recording process of their album Hollow, Hauntologist faced several challenges:

The band members, Darkside and The Fall, who have been instrumental in the Polish black metal scene, had to live up to the high expectations due to their previous successes. This pressure to deliver a compelling debut album was significant.

They aimed to blend black metal with post-rock and indie influences, which required a delicate balance to maintain the integrity of each genre while creating a cohesive sound.

The album was described as a “field recording of a feverish nightmare,” indicating that the band sought to capture a very specific and challenging atmosphere in their music.

The music on Hollow often ventured into other genres, which were difficult to define and locate, adding complexity to the recording process.

The album was built on the foundation of visions that developed and died back throughout the years, suggesting that there were many iterations and changes before reaching the final product.

Hauntologist overcame the challenges during the recording process of their album Hollow through a combination of creative synergy, technical skill, and a commitment to their artistic vision:

Creative Synergy: The band members, Darkside and The Fall, brought their extensive experience from the Polish black metal scene to the table. Their collaboration resulted in a blend of black metal, post-rock, and indie influences that was both innovative and compelling.

Technical Skill: The musicianship on the album is notable, with intricate, cymbal-heavy drumming, polished leads, and slick rhythms. These elements helped to create the haunting and varied sound that the album is praised for.

Artistic Vision: Hauntologist was determined to capture the essence of “a field recording of a feverish nightmare.” They managed to translate their themes of sleepless nights and surreal hallucinations into music that resonates with listeners.

Progressive Elements: The album features progressive flourishes, such as clean vocals and subdued guitars, which add depth and complexity to the sound. This slow-burning feel draws more from post-rock and develops into a crescendo of discordant riffs and forceful rhythms.

The personal experiences of the band members of Hauntologist significantly influenced the creative decisions for their album Hollow:

Darkside and The Fall, the members of Hauntologist, have been key figures in the Polish black metal scene. Their experiences with previous bands like MGLA and KRIEGSMACHINE (Darkside), as well as ASHES and ESCHATOLOGY (The Fall), have shaped their approach to music. This background contributed to the high expectations and pressure they felt to deliver a compelling debut album.

The band’s history of undergoing “numerous clinical deaths and reanimations” suggests a journey of constant evolution and reinvention. This tumultuous past likely fueled their desire to create something unique and enduring with Hollow.

The themes of sleepless nights and surreal, anxiety-provoking hallucinations are a direct reflection of their personal struggles and experiences. The album seeks to find musical analogies for these intense emotions and states of being.

The visual and lyrical content of the album, including the band photos and the short video they used on Instagram, reflect the depression and anxiety of urban life. This indicates that the band’s personal experiences with these feelings played a role in shaping the album’s aesthetic and thematic direction.

The personal struggles of the band members of Hauntologist had a profound impact on the lyrics of their album Hollow. The lyrics reflect a deep sense of introspection, existential angst, and a confrontation with inner demons. Here’s how their personal struggles influenced the lyrics:

Themes of Isolation and Disconnection: Lyrics such as “Now I swim through the neons / High on light, tied in wires” from the title track “Hollow” suggest a feeling of being lost in a modern, disconnected world, which could be a reflection of the band’s own experiences with urban isolation.

Metaphors for Mental Health: The use of imagery like “Crying voltage, soundproof walls, breeding windows into chessboards” indicates a struggle with mental health issues, where the modern world feels overwhelming and unrelenting.

Existential Reflections: The recurring theme of hollowness, as seen in lines like “The Earth is hollow / And so are we,” points to a deeper existential crisis, possibly stemming from the band’s contemplation of purpose and identity.

Surreal and Dreamlike Imagery: The lyrics often delve into surreal and dreamlike imagery, which may be derived from the band’s personal experiences with sleepless nights and hallucinations, as mentioned in their album background history.

Overall, the lyrics on Hollow are a tapestry of the band’s personal struggles, woven into a narrative that resonates with listeners who may have faced similar challenges. The album stands as a testament to the power of music as a form of expression and catharsis.

The tracklist for Hauntologist’s album Hollow is as follows:

1. Ozymandian
2. Golem
3. Waves of Concrete
4. Deathdreamer
5. Hollow
6. Autotomy
7. Gardermoen
8. Car Kruków

Each track contributes to the album’s overarching themes of existential angst and surreal experiences, with a sound that blends black metal with post-rock and indie influences. The album has been praised for its atmospheric depth and the way it captures the band’s unique musical vision.

Lyrics: The lyrical content of ‘Hollow’ is as deep and complex as its music. Drawing from personal struggles with urban isolation and mental health, the band crafts a narrative that is both intimate and universal. Lines like “The Earth is hollow, and so are we” encapsulate the existential angst that permeates the album, inviting listeners to confront their own inner voids.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this album. Share your comments below.