HOLLOW ILLUSION – Hollow Illusion
- Posted on 22-03-2016
Hollow Illusion hails from Norway and performs heavy metal inspired by the likes of Metallica, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, and so on. To be honest with you, the very first time I listened to this 11-track self-titled effort of theirs, I was neither impressed nor blown away. It all sounded so generic and uninspired. Gradually, I started appreciating a couple of the songs a bit more, but that does not change the fact that we are dealing with a somewhat mediocre album here.
Many of the riffs are groovy and catchy, but the vocal never truly do them justice, which is a damn shame. Things never really take off and the majority of songs are neither captivating nor mindblowing. Sure, there are some good ideas and cool arrangements and so on in places, but the only songs where they really make it work are "Lights Go Down" and "Now or Never". These guys clearly know their way around the instruments, but I am hoping for something that is a lot more engaging, moving, memorable, and riveting than this album the next time around. Like I said, there are some cool ideas scattered throughout, but, although it does possess potential, "Hollow Illusion" is neither particularly interesting nor entertaining to listen to.