HOLLINGSHEAD

When I recently reviewed 'Asleep or Insane' by Bakelit I explained that I have known Swedish multi-instrumentalist Carl Westholm for years through Carptree and Jupiter Society, although others will probably recognise his name more for his time with Avatarium and Candlemass. After I sent out my normal Christmas update email last December Carl asked if I would like to hear the latest releases from his two new projects, Bakelit was the first and Hollingshead is the second. Carl is the only constant between the two bands, and he again provides organ, electric piano, synthesizers, theremin, backing vocals while this time the band is completed by Tony Naima (lead vocals), Johan Niemann (bass, from Evergrey, Therion and Mind's Eye), and Fredrik Haake (drums, Meldrum, Sideburn, God Is My Co-Pilot). There has been a four-year gap between this album and the debut, during which time original singer Gidon Tannenbaum departed.

I have not heard the debut, and a new vocalist often changes things quite dramatically, so I have no idea if this is should be viewed as a continuation or a new direction, but I am aware it is very dark and deep indeed. Is there such a thing as doom prog? If not, then these guys may have invented a new musical form. Imagine if you will, a cross between Atomic Rooster and Candlemass and you may get some understanding of just how heavy this is, with Niemann playing a bass which sounds as if Lemmy and Chris Squire have come together and produced a sound as filthy as possible, yet somehow the music is wonderfully melodic. There is no guitar here, as there is no room for it whatsoever as the bass, drums and keyboards are so tight and all rammed together at the bottom end, but I can almost guarantee the average punter will not realise that as so few listen carefully these days. Then over the top are wonderful vocals which contain emotion when the time is right, not too high in the scale so it all gels together as opposed to clashing.

There will be quite a few progheads who will find this release way too heavy for their tastes, or the organ just too dated, but if ever someone wants some darkness on a bright sunny day, yet not too much to totally overpower the senses then this is it. Carl asked me to give this some time, but I enjoyed it the first time of playing and it just gets better with repeats. Not for the fainthearted though.

The band's driving force is in the furious Hammond organ and the vocals of Carl Westholm who has played with various bands before releasing this album. The result is a dark heavy prog album with a gothic metal vibe that reminds me of the new metal band Korn for the colossal bass lines with many progressive structures. What makes this band special is that despite playing with no guitars, the vocals work is so vital that it replaces the absence of the guitars. The haunting vocals and the furious Hammond organ passages show some touches of Killing Joke and Grimskunk. The songs are really infectious from beginning to end with some cool turnaround that we'll let you amaze. There is so much passion in the vocals as in the keyboard parts that this music can't let you be indifferent even if this kind of Swedish prog is not your thing.