REVIEW: HollowKin - Confessions & Failures

HollowKin, a powerful new metal quintet from Bath, are poised to unleash their debut EP ‘Confessions & Failures’. Formed only at the end of 2023, the band has already crafted a collection of gripping tracks with a sound that merges heavy riffs and dissonant lyrics. This EP marks a significant milestone in their journey as they explore the intricate themes that shape their sound and storytelling.

Setting the tone for the EP, opening track ‘Tomorrow at Dawn’ brings an unsettling arrangement of echoing notes paired with a distorted voice recording, leaving a feeling of unease. It acts as a warning that phases the listener into the journey they are about to embark on with the EP. HollowKin then introduce ‘A Pilgrimage’, which wastes no time jumping straight into the choppy riffs and hard-hitting vocals. Featuring melancholic verses akin to those on Bring Me The Horizon’s ‘Don’t Go,’ it’s hard not to feel the gravity of the song when there are lyrics as emotive and poignant as “I rest my head on an epitaph which lays unread.”

Continuing the EP’s poignant message, ‘Leech’ not only showcases the band’s musical stamina with the intro but also churns out a head-banging groove before the first verse even kicks in! The track is fuelled by pain and anger, which is most keenly felt in lines like “You take from those who need it more, to fill your aching hands with gold”. Full of screams filled with raw emotion, and a final chorus that is elevated when the melody shifts, this song acts as an unfiltered release of despair that can and should be listened to on repeat.

‘Devil In Your Garden’ has a deceivingly chilled intro before the EP picks up the pace with layered vocals, dynamic guitar and bass lines, and tension-building sound effects. Imagery-defying lyrics pair with more reflective sections like “it took this pain for me to know that serpents can still have space to grow” help to tell the story that even amidst the struggle, there is potential. The track finishes up with an energetic breakdown and panned guitar parts during the bridge that scratch an auditory itch when wearing headphones.

Wrapping up with ‘In Heresy’ which seems to sound larger upon every subsequent listen, using brutally descriptive verses to build depth all the way to the chorus, creating a massive, anthemic sound. When listeners take in the second half of the song, it’s hard not to feel as though they are watching a live performance, confronted by a driving kick drum, and layered backing vocals that resemble a stadium singing. This makes it the perfect track to conclude the EP.

HollowKin have delivered a relentless and formidable EP with ‘Confessions & Failures’ that follows a path of hurt, anger, observation, and growth. Each track builds upon the last, weaving a narrative that resonates deeply with the listener, creating a world where vulnerability meets raw intensity. With masterful instrumentation and thought-provoking lyrics, HollowKin have invited listeners to confront their own confessions and failures.

'Confessions & Failures' will be released on November 15th.

Words: Beth Oakley

Photos: HollowKin