Be Still My Hollow Heart
So my friends as we edge towards some sort of recovery on our path out of this lockdown we celebrate our music scene, which despite the setbacks has consistently provided a wealth of entertainment to heal and repair our broken lives. Our cousins from down south OHOH present their third album and we should take time to reflect and reassess where we are headed to allow for a brighter future.
We have eleven songs here, all reaching deep into the oblivion of our souls and psyche to pick apart the grime and grot, to throw out the unwanted and make room for what is actually needed and beneficial. These fellas know about hurt and anger, fear and hatred, they use these undesirables to create a tapestry of hope, love and inclusion, they don’t shy away from the difficult issues. They have given us this record as a lifeline, as a support mechanism to make it out alive, which is where we ‘Burn In The Flood’ and provide a ‘Failsafe’ landscape in which to truly live. Our demons will always trouble us, it’s what they do, but with craftsmanship like this, we can stand tall and strong, it’s what we do. The sound of the metalcore mega growl is always inviting; music to fight your way through lockdown, suit up folks, it’s on!
The double barrel vocal talents of Connor and Tobias takes the rough with the smooth, grab on with both hands my friends, you’ve got nothing to lose. Filled with Jack be Nimble, Jack be Quick breakdowns and shakedowns, and it’s over the candlestick we go! The crowd pleasing ‘Better Daze’ will be the one to watch at shows I think, with its enchanting choral feel, uplifting and joyous. The euphonics continue with ‘Overcast’ a memorable tune with the crushing closing line ‘ I just need help’ which neatly ties into ‘I cannot afford to lose control’ from ‘Remember Me’ which also features a ‘prepare for my arrival’ entrance from Ryo Kinoshita of Crystal Lake, tune in at 1.56 and let your neighbours listen in too. Take a huge bite out of these tunes and crunch into the melting heart centres.
The finale ‘Seven Years (Shine A Light On Me) offers us a hand to hold, you are not alone in this cruel world so take comfort that OHOH have considered us their family, our home is where the hollow heart is. For something that has been produced during the harshest of times, a seemingly irrepressible anger and frustration has been channelled to nurture growth and fulfilment. A tour is on the cards which will hopefully see the return of live music on a more pronounced and vigorous scale.
I love everything about these guys, not just the shape of them.
Azra Pathan
Our Hollow, Our Home – Burn In The Flood out now via Hollow Music