This 6 song EP marks the return of Dutch heavy rockers THE HOLLOW MEN. Although musical diversity and genre defiance is implied by the band's website, this disc seems much more formulaic than their 2004 self-titled demo (which delivered elements of power pop along with the grunge and post-grunge).

"Mourning" starts things off with a straightforward, mid-tempo rocker in the vein of early FOO FIGHTERS or QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. Although "Dollhouse" includes a raucous-good time rhythm shift a la SLADE at about the three-minute mark, and "Down By the River" (not the NEIL YOUNG song!) includes some interesting cowbell, vocalist Remco employs a Layne Staley vocal approach that blankets both tracks with a simple grunge sound. "Sleep With Angels" starts off swimmingly with an abstract CULT-like sleaze vibe before advancing into a PANTERA/HELMET riff at the outro. The real standout track is "Forget About It", which recalls some of the good-time rock 'n roll and catchy choruses of the original demo.

Overall, THE HOLLOW MEN are a very solid band with good songwriting skills and talent galore. But they seem just a nudge away from blending in with many other stoner rock bands emulating artists from the Man's Ruin and Amphetamine Reptile catalogs. If they can find a way to shake off the shackles of their 90s heroes and incorporate more distinctive elements in their music, they'll be an unstoppable standout.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: myspace.com/hollowmentheband

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Mourning

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