SOULSPELL — Hollow's Gathering (review)

SOULSPELL — Hollow's Gathering album cover Album · 2012 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
adg211288
Hollow’s Gathering is the third full-length album by Brazilian metal opera project Soulspell. The album was released in 2012. Soulspell is led by drummer Heleno Vale, who is the only regular member of the act, although there are a number of common contributors across the three albums released so far including Tito Falaschi (Illustria), Daisa Munhoz (Vandroya) and Iuri Sanson (Hibria). Hollow’s Gathering features a total of twenty vocalists each performing a unique role within the album’s concept. Other vocalists on the album include Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens (ex-Judas Priest, ex-Iced Earth), Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden), and Matt Smith (Theocracy). Guest instrumentalists include Markus Grosskopf (Helloween) and Rollie Feldmann (ex- Circle II Circle).

Musically a predominately melodic power metal release, Hollow’s Gathering also has some tracks which are closer to progressive power metal and symphonic power metal. The opening title track is a progressive power metal song while what follows on from it has a generally more straight forward sound, with symphonic and lessened progressive tendencies elements cropping up every now and then. Coupled with the variety that comes with having so many voices (twenty is even more ambitious than any of the Ayreon albums released so far) means that Hollow’s Gathering never runs the risk of feeling stagnant. Additionally there are some parts to the music which withdraw the power metal element to focus even more on melody.

While I can do nothing but appreciate the musical qualities of the album, and commend Heleno Vale for putting together such a stellar cast, I just can’t follow the story presented on Hollow’s Gathering. Maybe that would be different if it were not my first encounter with Soulspell, as Hollow’s Gathering continues the story begun in the earlier albums A Legacy of Honor (2008) and The Labyrinth of Truths (2010) but nevertheless this isn’t something I’m particularly worried about as I’m only really concerned with musical quality, and Hollow’s Gathering has that in abundance, although aside from its status as a metal opera, it isn’t exactly breaking any boundaries musically. And to be honest these things are becoming more and more common. There are a few definite standouts amongst the tracks, such as that opening title track and Change the Tide, or if you want something a little less speed obsessed, The Keeper's Game is a great choice. At the opposite end of the spectrum A Rescue into the Storm is the only real moment where a track fails to stand up to the bulk of the release. A great album tier rating is deserved.

80/100

(Originally written for Heavy Metal Haven (http://metaltube.freeforums.org/soulspell-hollow-s-gathering-t2748.html))
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