Swedish progressive metal band. Started out in 1992, and have released 2 albums so far. They have been compared to Elegy, Conception, Queensr˙che and Dream Theater.
MODERN
CATHEDRAL (1998) NUCLEAR BLAST
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Line-up: Andreas Stoltz - Guitars, Vocals Marcus Bigren - Guitars Thomas Nilsson - Bass Urban Vikström - Drums
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Sweden's Dream Theater was the first thing I thought upon hearing this album. Maybe not in the same league as the Americans, but this is still a very good album. I think they were the first progressive metal band signed to Nuclear Blast. Sweden just keeps coming up with new metal talents, and they are now one of the leading countries in metal export. Most of the bands are signed to labels outside their homeland. Hollow tends to be just one more band in the crowd, but if you come across any of their albums, I urge you to check them out.
Killer tracks: Trademark, Speak To Me, Crusaders
ARCHITECT OF THE MIND (1999) NUCLEAR BLAST
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Line-up: Andreas Stoltz - Guitars, Vocals Marcus Bigren - Guitars Thomas Nilsson - Bass Urban Vikström - Drums |
Hollow's second, and unfortunately last, album is nothing short of a hidden gem in metal history! It's a mystery to me why this album is not more well known in the progressive metal circuits. These Swedes actually outdo Dream Theater, and they are giving Symphony X a run for a top position to. The strange thing is that I never saw it coming either. There is nothing on their first full-length album that indicates the brilliance to follow. Andreas Stoltz has a strong, powerful voice, with a span-with to die for. And add to that some brilliant songwriting, and you got a winner. 'Architect Of The Mind' should be on your top priority list, if: 1. You like progressive metal, 2. You don't already own it! Now, can anyone tell me why on earth this band disappeared? And why the heck did they get the boot from Nuclear Blast?
Killer tracks: All of them.