Debut albums are a special time for any band, the first time that they release their cumulative efforts for the world to see. I am sure that it is an enjoyable time, however, I am also sure that there is an element of apprehension involved too. Will they like it? Must always be sat at the back of any artists mind.

Today we have ON HOLLOW GROUND. A Metalcore band from Leeds in the UK. Formed in 2013, they have released a string of singles, but finally on 17^th July 2020, their independent debut album launched. What a string of success it has been, huge amounts of online streams, picked up by various media outlets and now, picked up by METAL TEMPLE.

The artwork is a very simple image of water with what appears to be a red filter layered over the top, adorned with the bands name and album title. The imagery to me plays into the title "Blood Is Blood". I sort of took away the old saying 'blood is thicker than water' from it, I am unsure if that is where they were going, but it was my interpretation.

No messing about and the driving drums, aggressive riffs and vocals come flying in with "Our Lives". The energy and atmosphere thrown out through my headphones is electric and captivating. ON HOLLOW GROUND show good musical understanding and knowledge with the control of tempo and a very stripped back, almost techno, element that complimented the main body excellently. "Broken" comes pounding steadily in, aggressive and unforgiving it will be well received by any Hardcore or Metalcore listener.

"People Never Learn" takes a very different approach during the introduction, with a very light musical presence but accented by the rough and piercing vocals. This doesn't last though and the thick and heavy musical stylings return.

"Surviving Life..." comes at almost the midpoint of the album. Giving a very welcome respite with this predominantly instrumental track. But its true purpose is to build into the following track "...And Getting By". Which continues to build on the styles of the previous song. In fact, the main musical tracking runs as the chorus for this track, very well done I must say!

"WMD (Wasteman Down)" is a short and ominous track that felt slightly out of place for mem I'm not entirely sure of its purpose within the album, however, going of everything I have heard so far, there is a reason for it to be there. Give it a listen, see if you can enlighten me!

"Blood On Blood", the titular track combines all that is good of everything we have seen so far and throws it together. The control, understanding and knowledge of their craft is clear as ON HOLLOW GROUND pulls everything out of the bag to demonstrate their skills.

"Shut Down" was similar for me as "WMD (Wasteman Down)" just something about it didn't feel quite right. Musically it was sound, but there was something I just can't quite put my finger on... Finally, we come to "Even Though". Clean cut guitars, build the atmosphere, compounded by the addition of the trademark aggressive vocals and driving drums until they erupt in a wall of pure passion which has a couple of troughs and peaks as we fly towards the end.

Overall, this is a solid debut album. I can see why ON HOLLOW GROUND have had the success that they have. Metalcore isn't something that I would choose to listen too all too often, however there are some exceptions and this is one of them, I'll have to get myself to Leeds sometime to check them out!