The Mariana Hollow - Velvet Black Sky
CD Info
2012
Self Released / United Kingdom
11 Tracks
English Lyrics
Expectations for an artist’s second album can be high – and sometimes, what the fans want and what the band actually does are opposites. That’s not the case with The Mariana Hollow. This progressive/alternative metal quintet from the United Kingdom first graced the metal scene in 2009 with Coma Heart. While the band was praised for their songwriting skills and their revival of a classic guitar-based sound, many critics and fans (including myself) agreed that Coma Heart would have been more exciting if it focused less on the slower, quieter moments. Either TMH took that advice to heart, or that was already their idea for Album #2. Because that second album, Velvet Black Sky, not only packs more adrenaline than Coma Heart does, it outshines its predecessor in every possible way.
Last March, Sonic Cathedral was given an exclusive sneak preview of Velvet Black Sky. The four songs in that preview revealed that The Mariana Hollow were well on their way to achieving their goal for the second album: to make the music more oriented for live shows. The finished product, due out on February 13, confirms that triumph. Powerful rhythms, starker contrasts between full-on metal and lighter moments, and dynamic guitarwork have brought out a more muscular and passionate side of The Mariana Hollow. Part of this is due to the top-notch mixing work by Brett Caldas-Lima (Megadeth, Arch Enemy, Devin Townsend Project) and mastering by TesseracT guitarist Acle Kahney. Other core aspects from TMH’s debut album remain intact on Velvet Black Sky. By this, I mean the smart songwriting, the guitar-based atmospheres, and the progressive smatterings that keep things interesting. And of course, there’s singer Rebecca "Spinky" Spinks. Her gritty voice and startling range matches the music’s new fierceness and confirms her place as one of the most unique female vocalists on the scene.
Velvet Black Sky begins with the appropriately titled instrumental "Before the Dive." Its unfolding layers of guitars, keyboards, and drums hint at the moods and complexity to come. A sudden climax, and the intro launches into "Dead Reckoning," an Anathema-meets-Katatonia anthem with momentum that’s reminiscent of a surf wave rolling towards shore. Then comes the album’s first single, "Your Halo." It takes the energy created by "Dead Reckoning," shakes it up with punchy riffs and a swaying midtempo beat, then thrusts it in your face. Spinky’s charismatic vocals add more fuel to this song’s fire, to the point that it’s difficult not to be excited to hear the rest of the album afterwards.
The Mariana Hollow’s fearlessness as artists doesn’t end with the evolved sound. Velvet Black Sky features three tracks that clock in at over 7 minutes each – and two of them are among the album’s brightest gems. "The Line of Fire and Blood" evokes images of war and turbulence with its music alone. With Spinky’s vehement vocals, the staggering power of this track makes it the band’s best overall performance on the record. On the softer side is "The Fate of Man," a stripped-back panorama of dystopia that will stir the listener’s thoughts and emotions. Only "From Failing Hands" doesn’t rise to the same heights as the other two epics. Its ending goes on a little too long, and I find the time signature changes in the verses to be jarring. However, it does feature strong moments, such as a violin-caressed chorus and a vibrant solo by Russell – and I find myself singing lines from that song when I least expect it.
The lyrical tone of Velvet Black Sky is yet another reason why this record kindles. Instead of telling cathartic stories like those on Coma Heart, Spinky explores current-day issues with a keen sense of emotional involvement. For example, she condemns apathy towards social problems on "Second to None," urged on by geyser-like riffs and Danny Russell’s wailing guitar intro. "Weight of the World" is more intrapersonal, touching on how easily relationships can crumble due to distrust. Spinky’s incredulity is palpable as she cries out the chorus: "You give a light to my darkest day / When I was running as the feelings devoured / And you were akin to my darkest mind / When I was running from the demons behind."
What’s most interesting about the lyrical themes on Velvet Black Sky is their relevance. The album was written and recorded in late 2011, yet its release comes after a year of episode upon episode of social unrest worldwide (the Occupy Wall Street protests, the "Arab Spring" uprisings, and the riots in TMH’s native United Kingdom, for starters). So, while Velvet Black Sky wasn’t inspired by those and other similar events in 2011, it’s become much more significant as a result.
All of the above has convinced me that Velvet Black Sky is one of 2012’s two brightest stars in the "femme metal" sky. (The other one is Beyond The Bridge’s The Old Man And The Spirit which I recently reviewed here at SC.) All of the improvements that The Mariana Hollow have made over Coma Heart – as well as the band’s passion for their music oozing from every note –have turned Velvet Black Sky into the new benchmark for all female-fronted bands regardless of whether they’re signed to a label. Speaking of which, it boggles my mind that The Mariana Hollow is still unsigned. Any band that can put together a collection of songs with such zeal, skillfulness, and insight shouldn’t be ignored. That may be Velvet Black Sky’s greatest strength: However you categorize it – awesome guitar-laden alternative metal, a new brand of "the thinking man’s / woman’s" metal, or something else – this album is the wake-up call that rock and metal fans will be sorry to miss.
9.5 / 10
Best Songs: "The Line of Fire and Blood," "Weight Of The World," "Second To None," "Dead Reckoning"
Highly recommended for fans of alternative, progressive, or gothic rock/metal bands such as Anathema, Katatonia, Autumn, and Flowing Tears
Velvet Black Sky will be officially released on February 13, 2012 on all digital music platforms (Amazon, iTunes, etc.) as well as the band’s online store.
