With a new drummer on board, John Stewart (Bloodlet/Caribou King) replacing departed founding member Tim Creter, Florida doomsters Hollow Leg unveil a their two track trespass this March. An individual grumbling fusion of the doom/sludge fuelled metal the band has already been the subject of acclaim for, the Murder EP reveals a new fresh roar and growth in that proposition and, as suggested by its press release, emerges “the band’s strongest material to date”.
Mixed by Sanford Parker and mastered by Collin Jordan, Hollow Leg starts its proposal with Raven. The initial volley of firm beats almost stalks the listener as the song makes its first move. A momentary breath then follows, opening the way for dirty riffs and scowling vocals to lay their hand on the senses as rhythms bring their heavily sinew bound incitement to bear on the blues scented, sludge fuelled consumption of ears. Shifting through the gears back and forth in attack, the track quickly becomes a grumbling treat; essences of the likes of Eyehategod, Weedeater, and Crowbar making tempting hues in the band’s provocative web of sound and texture.
The following title track is just as generously flavoured but veering towards the more stoner-esque side of their sludge/ doom collusion. Tangy grooves are swiftly entwining rapacious rhythms and eager ears, riffs a bed of controlled antagonism beneath them as vocals carry a more open snarl to their character. Though generally a more energetic proposal, the song does slip into moments of lumbering doom threat only increasing its intensity and bait as melodies gather in the shadows waiting to provocatively dance on a subsequent passage of lighter flirtation before things return to the predatory incitement it all began on.
Both tracks bring a fresh wind to an already in place appetite for Hollow Leg and their compelling sound found through debut album Instinct a fair while back, and a keener anticipation for what is to follow.
The Murder EP is released March 3rd through Argonauta Records on all digital formats with a physical release to follow later in the year.
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Pete RingMaster 03/03/2017
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