Album Review: Hollow Front – The Price of Dreaming (UNFD)

Grand Rapids metalcore up ‘n’ comers Hollow Front’s third album ‘The Price of Dreaming’ arrives on the 27th of May 2022 via UNFD.

How do you stand out from the metalcore pack? Especially when you’re amongst a group of young and modern bands all fighting for the same space? Well, if you’re Hollow Front, you do this by infusing your style with more passion and believability than most. All while delivering modern metalcore with an edge. It’s intense, it’s heavy, it’s pretty and it’s melodic. It’s metalcore, but it’s also great metalcore.

That passion really bleeds through from the start with In the Spotlight, a track that sees Hollow Front take their time and allow their harmonious side to really breathe. Before getting a bit more intense on Comatose. Though it once again, is dripping in moving melodic style.

Some damn cool use of synth really makes Self Sabotage stand out but the ripping riffs and varied vocals on this one also helps make it one of the album’s best tracks. That chorus is simply massive. Although Thick as Blood is certainly no slouch, as the peppy rhythm works wonderfully in tandem with ardent outbursts and another grand chorus.

A major part of the believability that comes from Hollow Front’s music is the subjects they focus on and the title track is a great example of this. A meaty and heartfelt message about the sacrifices made in order to achieve your ambitions. Personal losses, relationship breakdowns, mental struggles; just some of the subjects Hollow Front weave their music around.

…and what music it is. The second half of the album featuring as much quality as what came in the first. A powerful and heavy hitter in the form of Better Off. The captivating melodies and the fire that comes from vocals in Dear Sons. The developing brilliance of Treading Water and the chilled, post-like strain of Two Worlds Away.

There’s no getting sick of music and a delivery this good. So, it should come as no surprise that the energised Changeling is another class act. One of the more aggressive sounds on the album but, of course, filled with the melodic uniqueness that makes Hollow Front such an impressive act.

Finally, it’s the pairing of Heritage and Running Away to wrap things up. The former, bringing in some effects for what is the album’s heaviest and most ‘traditional’ metalcore track. While the latter, one last trawl through melody as Hollow Front put the exclamation point on this record.

Pay attention to Hollow Front. They’re going to be massive.

Hollow Front – The Price of Dreaming Full Track Listing:

1. In the Spotlight
2. Comatose
3. Self Sabotage
4. Thick As Blood
5. The Price of Dreaming
6. Better Off
7. Dear Sons
8. Treading Water
9. Two Worlds Away
10. Changeling
11. Heritage
12. Running Away

Links

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