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Gone are the days of raw and fresh split projects, but yet you can count on SharpTone and Greyscale Records to orchestrate a team-up like no other in 2022. Assembling two of the brightest acts from the Anglo-speaking world, British gents Holding Absence and Aussie heavyhitters Alpha Wolf, they deliver a collaboration that is easily the most surprising and original EP of the year. Bold in approach, challenging in production and modern in execution, The Lost & The Longing is the contemporary scene at its finest.
Let me start by saying that both acts are great on their own and more than deserve the spotlight, carving their names in the current heavy world in a spectacular fashion. Deservesly regarded as two of the most promising bands in their countries, they are still fairly early on their path to global recognition and such ambitious project is exactly what was needed to push them even further. And the result is monumental.
All due respect to Holding Absence and Alpha Wolf, and fully appraciating what they do on their own (as differwnt as it is), I do feel they both needed a little spark to take them out of their comfort zone. Blending the both of best worlds, the EP gives Holding Absence the charge to make their music a little edgier, whilst balancing Alpha Wolf's relentless hardcore stampede. A "beauty and the beast" approach executed to perfection.
The Lost & The Longing presents four tracks, with a classic split of two individual offerings and two team-ups, giving each band the chance to shine on their own turf and rotating the guest roles between Lochie Keogh and Lucas Woodland. Impossible to pin down to a single genre, we are presented with Holding Absence's alternative spin and aethereal melodies, held against the ruthless and raging core output as frequently delivered by Alfa Wolf.
Swinging between the fantastic solo efforts in 'Coffin' and 'Hotel Underground', the EP's strongest sides are naturally the teamups for 'Aching Longing' and '60cm of steel'. British sensibility and vision meet Aussie energy and cheek for a truly memorable clash of young titans. Sharptone Records are known to nurture fresh talent from a wide genre pallette and while The Lost & The Longing cannot be more conflicting in nature, it works flawlessly.
The Lost & The Longing could have easily been two standalone featurings, potentially destined to be forgotten. Instead, SharpTone and Greyscale played a wildcard that will be remembered as one of the greatest moves of the year. An exemplary split EP, Alpha Wolf nad Holding Absence present us with a brillian effort, a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of the modern metal worldwide.
Alpha Wolf / Holding Absence - The Lost & The Longing
Country: Australia / UK
Released: 15 August 2022
Label: SharpTone Records / Greyscale Records
Tracklisting:
1. '60cm of Steel' – Alpha Wolf ft. Holding Absence
2. 'Hotel Underground' – Alpha Wolf
3. 'Aching Longing' – Holding Absence ft. Alpha Wolf
4. 'Coffin' – Holding Absence
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