Hollow (band)

Hollow
Origin	Umeå, Sweden
Genres	power metal , progressive metal
Years active	1995-present
Labels	Nuclear Blast, Metal Mind Productions
Members	Andreas Stoltz Thomas Nilsson Marcus Bigren Urban Vikström

Hollow were a progressive power metal band from Umeå, Sweden and is now a solo project by Andreas Stoltz.

The band begun in the early 1990s when members met in the university town of Umeå. Tomas and Andreas had decided to start a band when they met during their military service, serving together in the same platoon. Originally called Valkyrian they decided to change their name to Hollow which they felt was more in tune with their musical style "The name Hollow reflects the constant void within, which we all feel from time to time".

Influenced by acts such as Queensrÿche, Crimson Glory and Elegy in 1995 they released a six track demo called "Speak To Me". In 1997 they released a self-titled Ep with four tracks which caught the attention of MM Records, a small independent label. They then went on to create two albums both released through Nuclear Blast Records, Modern Cathedral (1997) and Architect Of The Mind (1999).

Hollow chose to split up not long after the release of Architect Of The Mind.

Hollow is now a solo project of Andreas Stoltz, who in 2009 released the song "Descending" which was written in memory of Midnight, Crimson Glory's vocalist, who died in 2009.

In 2010 Polish record label Metal Mind Productions remastered and rereleased Architect Of The Mind and Modern Cathedral as a double pack.

Members

• Andreas Stoltz - vocals and guitars
• Marcus Bigren - guitars
• Tomas Nilsson - bass
• Urban Vikstrom - drums

Discography

Modern Cathedral

Year: 1997

1. Trademark
2. Can You Hear Me?
3. Speak To Me
4. Bagatell 3
5. Crusaders
6. Lies
7. Wounds
8. In Your Arms
9. Whispers
10. Hold Your Banners High
11. What I Can Be
12. Waiting

Architect Of The Mind

Year: 1999

1. Transcending Sorrow
2. Cognito
3. Rain
4. Shadow God
5. Secluded Dreams
6. Walls Of Confusion
7. Binary Creed
8. Deified
9. Alone In Darkness
10. Shutdown
11. Father

Architect Of The Mind is a concept album on artificial intelligence. The album follows a story where a scientist goes almost crazy after his father dies and buries himself in work, eventually creating an artificial intelligence which he never expected this being to be so similar to himself. The album raises questions regarding creation and responsibility for the created, parenthood and religion as well.

Notes and references

http://moderncathedral.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.last.fm/music/Hollow/+wiki
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=344804
http://www.discogs.com/Hollow-Architect-Of-The-Mind-Modern-Cathedral/release/2779991
http://www.myspace.com/moderncathedral
http://www.metalmind.com.pl/index.php?dzial=newsy&more=2930