Hollow Haze was formed in 2003 in Vicenza, Italy and released six studio albums before disbanding in 2015. During those years the band worked with several singers including Fabio Lioni (Rhapsody). Nick Savio (Guitars) decided to reform the band with a new line-up and a fresh, new sound. As a consequence, Between Wild Landscapes and Deep Blue Seas is their first album in 4 years.
I haven't been in contact with Hallow Haze before, and BWLADBS was a interesting surprise during a week in which other new releases didn't appeal to me. The new album is melodic, sort of heavy, and symphonic. It clearly follows the hard rock/power metal Italian school. It's also easy to get through, 11 tracks in 50 minutes. I praise the bands that still take the time to craft a good album from start to finish. Even though people that appreciate that are fewer and fewer. I'm saying this because Hallow Haze gives us the best album they could with the material they had. The first three songs including the single "Oblivion" was a smart move. They are all strong songs, fast paced, heavy with several hooks and great choruses. The middle section presents two of their best tracks: "The Upside Down" is probably the heaviest track on the album in which singer Fabio Dessi goes a bit more aggressive. The guitar riff is on the foreground backed up by the keys, but it's the guitar solo that is the big highlight. And "New Era" despite being relatively short has an epic feel to it. Here the keys are high on the mix and the guitars with palm muted riffs support it. But also the guitar solo shines. In fact Mr. Savio uses his guitars wisely combining shredding and melody throughout the album. For example the solo in "A Different Sky" is very melodic with few notes per beat, David Gilmour style. It's also worth noting that the ballad "I Will Be There" is not all that bad, but to my taste if they had continue to build it up to finish it with the last part a bit heavier, it would've made it a great track. By the time we get to all those good moments, there's only 3 tracks to go, but unfortunately, that's why the quality goes down a bit. But the good impression was already solidified.
I must say this is a good Hard Rock album with touches of power metal and progressiveness. Mr. Dessi vocals do the job, but lack that power that Mr. Lioni delivered on 2013's Countdown to Revenge. The good news, at least for some, is that Dessi does not use high pitched screams and his range remains contained in the "comfort" zone. Fans of this genre of metal/rock will dig this album, for me, while I appreciate the work and had a good time with it, I don't see myself going back to BWLADBS very often. Again, a bit more punch on the vocals, less mid-tempo songs and more songs like "The Upside Down" would have done the trick for me.
SCORE: 77/100
DR: 6
Genre: Progressive Hard Rock
Released by Frontiers Music on July 12th, 2019
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