Hollow Pledge - Intervention
Wilmington, Delaware’s punk rock outfit Hollow Pledge dropped a five-track EP not too long ago. It’s called Intervention.
Hollow Pledge
Made up of Mike Preston (drums), James Elliotte (bass), Pat Daniels (lead guitar), and Julio Tirado (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), the band’s name carries weight, referring to unkempt promises and something the band “strives not to be.”
Discovery of the EP entailed the usual routine of going through all the new arrivals on Bandcamp, at least those in the punk rock category. After listening to beau coup crapola, I stumbled on Hollow Pledge. They have a tight sound, full of lots of energy and the vocals actually enhance the music.
“Pretend Actually” is the first track, and opens with muffled guitar riffs swelling to luminous colors and a smooth, contagious melody. Layered guitars give the harmonics a thick sheen of resonance, as Tirado’s affluent tones ride overhead. The song’s tempo and flow shifts, adding cool breakdowns and a variety of flavors to the tune.
“Take Five” opens on austerely dark riffs, topped by the crying wail of a searing guitar. Pause - and dirty grinding guitars bellow with surging energy as the tune flows into an alt-rock-flavored punk number, and then descends to a softer dulcet section backed by a tight guitar held under restraint. Hints of metalcore-like breakdowns and oozing muscular tones infuse the tune with tasty sonic alterations, akin to fusion jazz cuts.
Tirado’s dreamy tones flow like honey, imbuing the tune with velvety textures. It’s a great voice, almost elegant in its projection.
“Flowers Not Bombs” features slicing, spangled guitars with a sizzling guitar underneath. Tirado’s dreamy tones flow like honey, imbuing the tune with velvety textures. It’s a great voice, almost elegant in its projection. A quasi-Spanish-laced breakdown is tight and right, adding stylish surfaces of gentle hues.
“In The Dark” opens on stuttering guitars, once again delivering hints of metalcore. I love the skintight runs on the guitars, as if balanced on top of each other. Daniels makes his axe stand up and talk on this track. Outrageously hot licks.
“Hollow Body” punches forward on spiraling guitars on what is almost a jazz-flavored alt-rock/punk melody, full of scrumptious harmonic shifts and Tirado’s marvelous timbres.
Intervention is a grand EP, full of innovative tunes riding brawny guitars, and stylish rhythms, all crowned by Tirado’s impressive voice.
