HOLLO
Written by: Cait Elizabeth - December 2018
Edited by: Travis Ryan
INTRODUCTIONS:
Hollo is the perfect balance of light and dark in a world where metal is often…just layers of dark. They are extraordinary at painting you into a setting, providing an atmosphere and space the listener can get lost in. A progressive metal band that formed in 2016, Hollo pulls in a diverse fan group. The original three-piece of Dominick Cali (guitar), Keith Caylor (drums), and David Hahn (vocals and bass) decided to add full-time bassist Justin McKinley to help develop the songs and add a new voice to the writing process. The fully-formed entourage then began to play locally, and they went on to release their debut EP, Sequela in June of 2018. Justin has since left the band, albeit with the heaviest of hearts, leaving Alyssa Citarella to take over on bass guitar. The members have commented about the ease of writing together, citing that each person’s influence and perspective is weighed equally in the group. No one has to hold back or feel they have to carry the team when everyone gets an equal voice. Their most significant song happens to be their first, called “Divided and Conquered”. This was the collaborative effort of Dom, Dave, and Keith that ultimately led them down the path of honing their sound. It reflects on the nature of the state of our world at the moment, where everything is either left or right, black or white. This dichotomy leads to nothing except keeping us at odds, deepening the rift between people instead of mending the faults. It has become a crowd favorite since its debut.
My personal favorite of the Hollo tracks available at the moment is “The Owl”. It takes me back to the high school days when I spent a good amount of time listening to Opeth. The lovely haunting melodies and vocals are a fantastic contrast to the more guttural screams and growls. The lyrics once again mirror that light and dark with romantic refrains of nature battling against commentary on the news cycles, social media expectations, and facades so many live behind.
TOURS & SHOWS
Hollo played their first show at 89 North in Patchogue and have played up and down Long Island, also venturing out into Brooklyn and Queens. They curated a Halloween themed show at 89 North in 2017 featuring Time King, More of Myself to Kill, Thracian,The Eastern Condition and Twisted Metal. It was a fantastic show, where I actually ended up selling tickets at the front door.
Continuing the tradition this time at Amityville Music Hall, Holloween 2018 featured Give Up The Goods, Patterns of Decay, and
Twisted Metal. 2018 also saw Hollo playing alongside NY Hardcore legends Candiria.
INSPIRATION & INFLUENCES
Deftones, A Perfect Circle, Tool, Meshuggah, and Opeth are Hollo’s biggest influences. Their sound is a balanced blend of those styles with the addition of each member’s own personality. They all have diverse music tastes ranging from classic rock to funk and jazz. “We each have our own personal taste, but our overlapping influences are what allows and helps us to create in a way that doesn’t leave anyone feeling ‘I’m not really feeling this’- which we’re lucky to be able to do”, the band shares.
“We all know that ‘making it’ in the music industry, whatever that means, is hard to do. As our journey has just begun, we have a long way to go. If we were to give anyone advice, it’d be the same advice we give ourselves. Just be honest, and do what you love without scrutinizing.. without focusing on fame and fortune. Continue to do that, to just create, and good things will happen.”