(Progressive Metal) [CD] Hollow Haze - Memories of an Ancient Time - 2015, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Mats Levén - Vocals (Guest): Rick Altzi - Vocals (Guest): Amanda Somerville - Vocals (Guest): Ivan Giannini - Vocals (Guest): Claudia Layline - Vocals (Guest): Some bands choose subjects for their concept albums that make you laugh your ass off. Sometimes that is exactly the way the band wants it to be. Gloryhammer, for example, wrote songs about an invasion of Dundee by undead unicorns. It starts to get a bit weird when a band tries to be as serious as possible. Hollow Haze is doing its share of storyline craziness with ‘Memories Of An Ancient Time’ in which they blend aliens and the ancient Egyptians. The first thing that needs to be mentioned is that Hollow Haze has already realized some fantastic goals. After recording their last album ‘Countdown To Revenge’ with no one less than Rhapsody’s Fabio Lione, they once again recruited some guests. With Mats Leven (Yngwie Malmsteen and Therion), Rick Altzi (Masterplan), Amanda Somerville (Avantasia), Claudia Layline (Serenade) and Ivan Giannini (Derdian) they managed to put an amazing list together. A crew to be proud of, just like the result: ‘Memories Of An Ancient Time’. Most prominently are the three Italian guys running this band. The guitars are played by Nick Savio, the bass is taken care of by Dave Cesttaro and the drums by Camillo Colleluori. No permanent vocalist, indeed. That role is taken by, on this record, mostly Mats Leven and Rick Altzi. It greatly explains the fact that the vocals have a resemblance to the ex-Masterplan singer Jorn Lande. Vocalist Rick Altzi has a resembling voice.

Musically this record is really well played. With fantastic, heavy riffs and melodic guitars and keyboards these Italian guys are doing their stuff very well. On the opener ‘Rain Of Fire Lights’ the fast guitars gladly introduce the listener to the style Hollow Haze plays. Brilliant, technical power metal infused with symphonic elements. A really well executed mix. ‘Created To Live’ is a track that sounds fantastic, but loses much of its serious tone because of the theme. “Life and death are written by the aliens, for the aliens!”, it just sounds very strange and doesn’t match the Egyptian parts of the story. High notes are no problem at all, even better, it’s brilliantly executed on, for example, ‘Night Is Calling’. This while the music is generously changing pace. The acoustic guitars of Nick Savio give the track a special sound, only to erupt into a fantastic solo. Another highlight of this album is ‘Demon’, a very nice and somewhat raw track. Five minutes of enjoyment and refrains to sing along to.

These Italian guys have delivered an amazing record that easily takes them to the top of the modern power metal circuit. With an amazingly tight and solid musical base, taken care of by this trio, combined with a small army of guest vocalists. This is a very entertaining and enjoyable release. Only one fear remains, what will they do with their live performances? I certainly hope that they “just” take all the guests, but that will not be as easy as it sounds. One thing is certain, I will definitely go and see them live when the chance arises!

Review written by Ruben for www.lordsofmetal.nl

Links:
http://www.hollowhaze.com/
http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Hollow_Haze/74936