Dark Religion by Hollow Jack
Review by
Steve Rider – Infinite Sounds UK
I first got in contact with Hollow Jack via Facebook and I
have been considering getting this album for a while. I am still considering
getting this album as soon as funds allow.
Then Brother said how he had ordered the Album from Jack and
I thought, What the Fuck! This is an opportunity to review the album before
buying it. So, here I am. Huge props to my brother Scott for lending me the
Album to review.
The important thing to note here is that Hollow Jack
released this album a year ago. There is so much going on in the Hip Hop world
that you often miss those underground gems. So, is this one of those said
‘Underground Gems?’ Well let’s find out shall we....
Hollow Jack aka Jack the Ripper Kicks off with Servants of Jack produced by WhosOne.
This introduction to the brain of Jack makes you realise that this is going to
be an interesting ride. Even though this first track seems kinda laid back, it
just makes you wanna hear more.
World of Chains is
not so much Horrorcore but, a political statement. Jack is backed up on this
track by Porno Pat who handles the second verse. Production comes from Byrd and
the beat seems to have something of a feel good vibe but, also works with
politically charged content.
The Albums’ Title track, Dark Religion, returns to a darker vibe from Jack. He paints a
lyrical picture that takes you into strange story that definitely drags to
world where you imagination could run away with you as you put pictures to the
words. Even the beat on this one, crafted by WhosOne, has a surreal vibe.
Now, Acopalypse Now, Holy shit! This is more
like it, some crazy shit focusing around the Police. Jack is joined by Deji Vu
and Dilyrium on a solid track. There is a contrast between the lyrical styles
of each of them but, it works. Dilyrium also handles production and the beat on
this track is superb. If you know your horror movies you will know the sample
on this track for sure. Although, I’m not 100% sure of the last few seconds of
the track...?
Violent Prophecy,
ft Gore Elohim (Non Phixion), is a track that seems to creep up on you and
slowly draw a lyrical straight razor across your throat. A nice laid back beat
with production by WhosOne.
Tim Curry greets us on A
Cold Day in Hell, with his speech from Legend. Here Jack gives us another
banger that gives us a visceral lyrical image to assault our brain. Nice dope
banging beat produced by Byrd.
Time of the Wolf
is ushered in by howl of wolf. The howl and the lyrical story brings images of
the werewolf, from everyone’s favourite horror movies. Jack is again partnered
by Dilyrium with WhosOne on production.
Lord of Horrorcore
begins with Donald Pleasence from Halloween, an absolute Horror classic. Jack
is on Horror form here crafting a track to rip your spine out. Production by
Byrd is again on point here and really gives this track an edge.
Killer Instinct ft Porno Pat and produced by Dilyrium, defiantly
has more of deep vibe that drags you to freaky picture of your weirdest horror
imaginings. The beat and lyrics work really well here in helping you shape your
worst fears.
Jack Torrance
finds our man drawing on the experiences of the famous character from The
Shining to provide us with another dark story from the Book of Gore. Dilyrium
and Strik9 join Jack on vocal duties with Dilyrium also handles the Production.
Deep in the Midden
drags you deeper into a lyrical nightmare with a definite Horror vibe both
lyrically and audibly. Production by Ryver Styx has a nice dark edge helping to
drag veil over you.
The Lone Ranger,
produced by Byrd, shows that Horror was alive and slaying in the old wild west.
With some nice little snippets from Young Guns and The Good the Bad and the
Ugly, a solid banger.
Blind Justice
rounds off the LP. Another track that is more of a statement on what is going
on around us, not just a story crafted to cause us to imagine a Horror story.
This more, taking the horrors from around us and crafting a story from them. WhosOne again handles the Production.
What this album does for me is takes me back to the Horror
of the 70’s and 80’s. These were the times when you had blood and guts but,
also a more psychological edge. If I were thinking of an up-to-date Horrorcore
vibe it would be more visceral and in your face, Fuck you kinda thing. But, not
so with Hollow Jack! Dark Religion is a well round and well crafted album that
takes you to Horror in your mind rather than directly in your face.
This is where I struggled with this at first. I thought too
much about horrorcore. Thinking more of Necro, from the US, and a type of
Horror and Gore vibe! But, your Hip Hop Horror here is definitely more inspired.
Well at least that is what I get with it. I was expecting stories crafted
around blood, guts and visceral violence.
What you get with this album is a lyrical Stephen King style
vibe of creep up on you and then fuck you up. While musically you hit with Hip
Hop beats with a dark edge that puts you in mind of John Carpenter movies but,
without the electronic edge to the music.
The other interesting thing about listening to this album is
you don’t realise that Hollow Jack hails from Sweden. But, you definitely get his love for horror
movies.
This is an impressive debut solo album. One that is
definitely growing on me the more I listen to it! Ok, so it didn’t fire me up
as much as I thought it might but, it’s still one you should have in your
collection, especially as Jack might well sign it for you (You too could look
as happy as my Bro, see below pic).
Check the link below to get your copy and support Hollow
Jack. Remember, underground artists do it for the love of it and not for the
money and the fame.
I’m Out!
Peace
Steve – Infinite Sounds UK
Check here for Hollow Jack info and to get a copy of the CD:
Hollow Jack on YouTube:
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