Review: “Decrepit  Nature” by HollowKin

Where do you see yourself in the next five years? That’s a question we don’t often ask ourselves but one which for Bath based hard working Progressive Metalcore crew HollowKin feels more relevant now than ever. 364 days ago, 1 day short of a calendar year, the band issued their debut EP “Confessions & Failures” while playing every Public House, School House and Out House that would open their doors for them. Having earned a reputation for a their live performances vocalist James Steaton-Pritchard, guitarist pairing DJ Hussey and Beau Stevens alongside a rhythm section of bassist Daniel ‘Hodds’ Hoddinott and drummer Dan Ford are primed and ready once more. So will sophomore EP “Decrepit  Nature” confirm their continued ascendancy?

The voice of a female android akin to Elle Fanning’s character Thia in Predator: Badlands warns “What if I told you your hold life was a lie?” moments before the HollowKin come out swinging with the thunderous Metalcore groove of “Fragile Beings“. A punchy, aggressive first verse hits like a building site wrecking ball, Steaton-Pritchard’s throat splitting vocals tearing the ear canals apart over sinister and menacing riffs. A fleeting spoken word accompanied by a little programming builds a sense of tension but what comes next not even a soothsayer could have predicted. The five piece turn up the head and intensity by throwing gasoline on the bonfire, transcending into punishing downtempo Deathcore for a brutal grand finale that hits like a sucker punch. More science fiction horror style electronics are buried within “A Silent Gospel“, giving it a darker atmosphere as HollowKin become the Apex Predator having clearly grown in stature with the experiences of the past twelve months. There is adrenaline flowing through the veins of these tunes, a new found power in confidence that shines through from the jackhammer footwork to the powerful mid-tempo groove. A tale of a promise broken, this venomous tirade could have gone on another round before the knock out but instead fades to black to leave you wanting more. If you thought they were going to introduce clean vocals at any point, you might have to guess again because its clearly not on their agenda.

A dirge laden main riff and some vibrant leads give “Memorial Torment” another dimension, the scream-a-long chorus a powerful moment in a thunderous onslaught that registers as seismic activity on the Richter scale. A mid-tempo skull crusher that’s anvil heavy while being rich and full bodied it’s the sonic equivalent of Death Wish coffee and while it stops short of having a blistering solo what it does have are hints at influence that lurk just underneath the surface. So after a few spins you can enjoy picking them out, if you’re not on the floor in a sweaty heap having attempted a one person living room mosh pit. Surpassing seven and a half minutes “Hedonist Decay” is embellished with violins and acoustic guitars, burning with a deep seated sense of melancholia that borders on mourning. Almost clean vocals soar on the thermals of an introspective lyrical narrative as the band push their boundaries into new hitherto unconquered territories. Progressive Metalcore with vibrant lead moments transcends into the bands more usual powerhouse rhythmic battery in the midsection before a grand finale of cathartic harsh vocals with the kind of emotive depth that stirs the soul. While the first three tracks decimate the weak and thin the herd, this grand finale is more accomplished, offering something more captivating and enthralling with epic dark beauty. As a record, this one not only continues the perpetual forward motion but demonstrates evolution in musicianship through dedication to craft. This feels like the first half of a full length debut album and HollowKin feel like contenders to fill the void on the European touring circuit left by Our Hollow, Our Home [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Fragile Beings
2. A Silent Gospel
3. Memorial Torment
4. Hedonist Decay

“Decrepit Nature” by HollowKin is out 14th November 2025