Nashville-based metalcore outfit Hollow Wake has arrived with a debut that demands more than just a passing listen. A Season to Bloom is a musical journey that captures the band’s evolution, from emo and post-hardcore roots to the heavier, more refined sound that defines their present and hints at their future. But to call this just a “debut album” would be an understatement; A Season to Bloom is a retrospective, a declaration, and a shared experience that resonates with the seasons of life and personal growth we all endure.
Right from the start, Hollow Wake proves they’re not afraid to dig deep, confronting themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the inner battles we all face. The first track, “A Season to Bloom,” sets the tone with its space-like soundscapes that ease listeners into the band’s heavy side. The track opens with haunting lyrics that feel as much like poetry as they do a mission statement: “We live our lives, we take hold of our thoughts and dreams. We are the ones who choose to live and not just survive.” This isn’t just music; it’s a manifesto. The band declares their journey to rise above life’s imprisoning moments and turn towards the light, a concept cleverly underscored by the metaphor of “bathing in the light of phototropism.”
The album’s journey continues with “Cancer Contained,” an explosive track that embodies the raw energy and aggression that fans of metalcore will instantly connect with. Here, Hollow Wake shows their knack for balancing growls and clean vocals, creating a dynamic push and pull that mirrors the inner struggle at the heart of the song. While the mix could benefit from minor tweaks to balance the vocals, the intensity is palpable, capturing that visceral fight against one’s darkest instincts.
On “Loss Surrounds,” Hollow Wake shifts gears, taking listeners into a more introspective, haunting space. The song opens with a dissonant, wandering riff that evokes a sense of confusion and loss. The lyrics, “You made me feel safe, you made me feel more,” capture that haunting sense of betrayal and disappointment in love, leaving a bittersweet echo that feels like wandering through the fog of heartbreak. The band’s ability to paint vivid emotional landscapes with music is undeniable here.
The Villain (Cheers to This) injects a unique electronic edge into the album’s soundscape. The track confronts blame, with lyrics that tackle the complex interplay of self-doubt and accusations from others. With razor-sharp production from guitarist Josh Overton, the electronic elements add a modern twist, illustrating Hollow Wake’s willingness to experiment and push genre boundaries. The album’s sonic diversity is a testament to their creative drive and willingness to take risks.
The album reaches its climax with “The Things They Carry,” a symphonic and hauntingly beautiful close to the record. Layering baroque-inspired strings with overdriven drums, Hollow Wake adds a surprising yet powerful touch to the album’s finale. It’s a track that speaks to the weight of trauma, specifically touching on themes of PTSD and survival, and strikes a chord that feels both personal and universal. The cinematic atmosphere and sophisticated arrangement in this final track signal that Hollow Wake is far more than just a typical metalcore band. They’re storytellers, weaving complex emotional tales through sound.
And it hasn’t been an easy journey. During production, the band endured setbacks that tested their resilience: from narrowly avoiding the destruction of their recording sessions due to a tornado, to almost losing their tracks when a hard drive malfunctioned. But each challenge seems to have strengthened the album, adding an authenticity to the narrative of struggle and growth. As vocalist Bobby Spencer explains, “A Season to Bloom encompasses various emotions, stories, personal traumas, and resolutions. It’s what this band has been working towards, and we’re incredibly proud of it.”
Hollow Wake’s influences are clear, with hints of The Plot In You, Beartooth, and My Chemical Romance echoing through their sound. Yet, they manage to take these influences and craft something uniquely their own, blending post-hardcore, emo, and alternative elements into a metalcore framework that feels refreshingly dynamic and versatile. The group’s journey from playing notable gigs with CKY, Boys of Fall, and Dragged Under to being featured on the radio for 40 consecutive weeks shows that they’re carving out a space for themselves in the industry, and they’re doing it on their terms.
This is not just an album; this is Hollow Wake’s retrospective, a record that documents where they’ve been, who they are now, and where they’re heading. Each track is a season, each lyric a memory, each riff a heartbeat. A Season to Bloom captures the fleeting, challenging, and beautiful moments that makeup life’s journey, and Hollow Wake invites us all to share in it!
