When you think of Southampton's metal scene, amongst others there is one band that comes to the forefront of your mind - Our Hollow, Our Home. Since previous album 'Burn The Flood', things have changed for the band with an almost completely new line up following an announcement back in February 2023. They released a single 'Downpour' featuring the new members Gaz King (vocals), James Hackett (guitar), Matt Thomason (bass) and Kieran Tonks (drums), alongside the last remaining member from previous line-up Tobias Young (guitar/vocals).
'Hope & Hell' is the long-anticipated last album from the band. In 2024, we unfortunately see the end of the band with this final album, containing the singles 'Funeral Verse' and 'Burial Season' giving fans a chance to prepare for the last farewell.
'Castaway' opens the album and provides fans with a welcome back feeling, featuring a familiar sound and a fresh energy that gives long time listeners a bit of the sound they have come to expect from Our Hollow Our Home. Title track 'Hope & Hell' gives a taste of what this album is going to be bringing, as the new members truly shine with vibrant riffs, hard hitting vocals and powerful drums.
Grief is a theme of many of the lyrics on this album, covering the coping stages of raw emotion and differing perspectives on it. 'Burial Season' is rich in the early stages but also moves into the concept of finding hope in the tragedy, reminding listeners that in going through these situations they are not alone. 'Veil Walker' continues this on the journey of the grief of losing a loved one and wishing you could trade their life for yours, whilst also never letting them be forgotten and reminding the listener that in memory they will live on. Ending the first half of the album is 'Lifeline' which further delves into the line of the previous track, dealing with living on to make someone proud even though they're no longer here.
If you are a long time fan of the band, you may be familiar with the album 'In Moment / / In Memory'. The band pays homage to it with a sombre piano lead and melody driven track 'In Reflection'. Being the band's most emotion filled song of this album, it feels like a continuation to one of the bands songs 'Parting Gift', with it featuring similar lyrics and sonic concepts.
On a first listen, this is a great album that hits all sorts of markers - however, when listening to it more with the band's separation in mind, lyrics like “And when it's over I hope you find your closure“ in the track ‘The Worst In Me‘ do have a different interpretation for the listener. Some may even think of the album differently as whole, with more perspective of how the band's members may be feeling.
Bringing a bittersweet conclusion to an incredible swansong to the band's story, they leave fans old and new with this final album. The beautiful thing about music as that even as bands come and go, the music they leave behind acts perfectly as their legacy. What a fantastic way to do it like Our Hollow, Our Home have done here with 'Hope & Hell'.
However, whilst the end is nigh for one band, another door has opened and guitarist James has taken the opportunity to continue doing music, not letting what is happening with the band stop him. He is going to display music related bits on his Instagram, and his perseverance is hopefully going to be an example to people that even when times get very hard, and may seem like the end, it's always possible to pick yourself up and keep going, even if it means starting over from the beginning.
'Hope & Hell' is released on September 27th via Arising Empire.
Words: Lucas Grayson
Photo: Oli Duncanson
Comments