Album review: THE SIXXIS – Hollow Shrine

The Sixxis - Hollow Shrine

Glassville Records  [Release date – 12.09.14]

It’s not often that a new album has me reaching for the ‘repeat’ button after listening to just one track but that was the case with ‘Hollow Shrine’. The opening track of the album, ‘Dreamers’, is one of the best tracks I have heard in a long time.

It starts off in normal 4/4 time and you can tap your foot along nicely, then the chorus arrives and all hell breaks loose. I am still trying to work out what time signature the guys launch into but the fact that they go off at a tangent and then reel things back in so seamlessly is a mark of the abundance of talent within the group.

The Sixxis were formed back in 2006 by vocalist Vladdy Iskhakov and all players have degrees in their chosen instruments. With influences ranging from Rush to System Of A Down things were never going to be simple and whilst there are prog overtones the music remains accessible and melodic.

The band has recently been supporting The Winery Dogs in Europe and the USA which must have been quite a double bill and they will soon be supporting Spocks Beard, again a good pairing.

As well as ‘Dreamers’ the album has many other highlights including ‘Nowhere Close’ which has a great chorus. The musicianship on show across the album is never less than stunning, especially the dual guitar work of Paul Sorah and Cameron Allen. ‘Forgotten Son’ is another track of note and one which has been gaining airplay on Get Ready To Rock Radio. It’s a slow burner of a track but highly effective.

‘Waste Of Time’ sounds like it should be the best ever Eurovision Song Contest entry from one of the numerous Balkan countries, I mean that as a compliment! The track twists and turns around a complex melody which has an Eastern European feel with a bit of gypsy violin thrown in for good measure.

Lead track from the album ‘Out Alive’ is the longest track featured and contains a solid riff which then gives way to a quieter mid-section before finishing on a high with an excellent guitar solo.

The Sixxis have been gathering fans across the globe on the back of their recent high profile support tours and with ‘Hollow Shrine’ they have a record to back up the live performances which can only lead to bigger things.  ****

Review by David Wilson


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