Editor’s Note: It’s always good to chat with people from across the pond. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with people from Japan, United Kingdom, Botswana, Canada, and now add Spain to the list. Hollow Cry is becoming one of the rising metalcore bands in Spain and in Europe. Their album entitled “From Ashes To Flames” is out now! Fans can find Hollow Cry at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/hollowcrymetal
www.twitter.com/HollowCryMetal
www.instagram.com/HollowCryMetal
Madness To Creation: Tell us about the name change. What was behind the name change and the like?
Hollow Cry: The name ‘Shades of Winter’ had already been registered, so we decided to change the band’s name (‘Winter Shades’) to avoid legal problems. We spent hours on end looking for a name; there’s a myriad of bands out there, and it’s pretty hard to find a name that hasn’t been registered and, at the same time, conveys the band’s spirit. One day, really late at night, Xavi Strife (lead singer) and his brother Carlos were going over a list of names they had selected after countless hours of brainstorming. They’d came up with hundreds of names, yet not a single one pleased them. They were exhausted and about to give up when the name Hollow Cry struck Carlos. He said it aloud, out of the blue, and we knew it right away: that was the band’s name. Hollow Cry had been born.
Madness To Creation: “From Ashes To Flames” was recently released, take us into the writing process and what can fans expect from the album?
Hollow Cry: It took us a few years to write the first six songs, but after Enric (drums) joined the band, we found our groove. We wrote new songs and revised the ones we already had–we fleshed them out, went for a more nuanced, mature sound. Then we headed straight for the studio.
If we had to sum up the album in one word, that would be ‘dynamic.’ Our songs explore different styles within Metal; we think that’s our main contribution, what makes the album fresh. Also, each song conveys a different state of mind; it’s the reflection of all the emotions we went through–nothing was written for the sake of writing. We want to share these feelings with our fans, allow them to experience what we experienced ourselves, what we went through.
Madness To Creation: Tell me your three favorite metalcore bands!
Hollow Cry:
As I Lay Dying
Killswitch Engage
Bullet For My Valentine
Madness To Creation: What is the metal scene in Spain like?
Hollow Cry: There’s never been much of a Metal culture in Spain. It’s even gotten worse these last years; pop and reggaeton have taken over the scene. It’s a soulless approach to music, but that’s what sells nowadays. However, we’re lucky there are still a few bastions of Metal/hard rock here–whose fans are very loyal and appreciative.
Madness To Creation: Favorite thing to do in Spain?
Hollow Cry: Eating. Food culture is great here; it’s one of those things you only appreciate when you’re away. Whether you’re a food connoisseur or just like to seat at the table and enjoy a good meal, Spain’s the right destination for you. It’s worth the trip, trust us.
Madness To Creation: What can fans expect from Hollow Cry for the rest of the year?
Hollow Cry: We have two music videos ready to be released, one of which I think will surprise our fans–in a good way. As for touring, we hope to get on the road as soon as possible so we can share our music and put the band on the map.
Madness To Creation: What else would you like to add in regards to the band or “From Ashes To Flames”?
Hollow Cry: The album’s title is a motto we adopted throughout the creation process. It means rebirth, a new beginning. After many years of failed projects and fruitless efforts, we can finally present our own music, the album we always wanted to create. The title encapsulates that struggle: this is our chance, the time to either turn to ashes or burst into flames. We want our fans to experience the same.
And there you have it! On Saturday, October 27th, Hollow Cry will be performing with A Sound of Thunder at Fabrica cervesa Ctretze in Pobla de Segur, Spain. For tickets and further information on the gig, click here.
