HOLLOWSTAR
“HOLLOWSTAR”
Album Review by Piers Renfree

8/10

Hello again boys and girls, thank god the weather’s cooled down a bit since last weeks brutal heatwave (I still think there was something unnatural about that – especially Thursday. That was forces beyond our understanding).

So now boys and girls, as you’re likely to be on your summer holidays now that School’s Out for summer, and for some, School’s Out forever, I know you’re all gonna be deciding what musical delights to pop on your stereo (or playlist, if un-like me, you do everything online) and that is what I, at Metal Gods TV, am here to help you with.

This gem is the self-titled debut album by Hollowstar, four living, breathing, rock musicians, who have learned to play their instruments and honed their skills in the live arena. Pre-programmed, soulless, electronic pop, this is not. You won’t find this on the Shite Factor or Britain Wishes It Had Talent (fuck’s sake, Britain has Iron Maiden, Absolva, Dendera, Jimmy Page, even this group… look, we know Britain’s got bloody talent!). 

Right, sorry, where was I? Oh yes, “Hollowstar”, the self-titled debut album by the four piece from St. Ives in Cambridgeshire. Made up of the Bonson brothers, Joe Bonson – vocals and bass & Jack Bonson – drums, along with Phil Haines – guitar and backing vocals and Tom Collett – guitar, the band have been going since 2015.

The band have toured with the Graham Bonnet band, Dan Reed Network and Stone Broken and this is their fourth release, following their 2017 debut E.P. “Some Things Matter” and two singles released last year, “All I Gotta Say” and “Let You Down” – the latter which was reviewed by yours truly and got the band a well deserved 8/10; as well as being played by BBC Radio 2, Planet Rock and getting into Classic Rock’s Heavy Rotation (and it is here for you, the second track on the album).

This is good, classic, old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, with a nice modern production that fills the speakers, yet is crisp and clear. Joe Bonson’s vocals are clean and we get plenty of great guitar solos. Fourth song “Think Of Me” is a commercial sounding power ballad and for me, the album’s weak point, but the rest of the songs on offer here are fantastic and this album should appeal to fans of Guns ‘N’ Roses, Black Stone Cherry, AC/DC and even the blues master, Joe Bonamassa. A well deserved 8/10.

TRACKLIST

Take It All
Let You Down
Invincible
Think Of Me
Money
All I Gotta Say
Good Man Gone
Overrated
Down By The Water
Sinner

https://hollowstar.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/HollowstarOfficial/

This review is the property of Piers Renfree and Metal Gods
TV. It is strictly prohibited to copy any part of this review, unless you have
all of the parties’ permission, or are the band/record label/PR company in question.
Failure to adhere to these instructions will be considered as Plagiarism and
you will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

---