HOLOSOIL brings a breath of fresh air to the progressive scene. The band is set to release its debut EP, LOOK UP, on April 17 via the prestigious InsideOut label. This very young, cosmopolitan group carries on the legacy of the Franco-German band R3VO. Originally composed ofJan Kurfürst (guitar), Victor Nissim (bass), and Altaïr Chagué (drums)—enriching their diverse backgrounds with the addition of Finnish vocalist Emelie Sederholm (aka “Venior”), who ushered in a new artistic phase for the group and led to the name change to HOLOSOIL.
LOOK UP: “Their sound is multifaceted and draws on elements from numerous genres”
The band’s line-up has thus brought together two scenes from the underground music scenes of Helsinki and Berlin. Indeed, by giving HOLOSOIL an eclectic and internationally inspired sound. Their sound is multifaceted and draws on elements from numerous genres (with hints of Muse, touches of Radiohead and Mars Volta, as well as the eclectic prog of Rush), expanding on these stylistic elements with imagination and creativity.
LOOK UP: “An unusual, layered blend of sharp sounds”
The listener is drawn into this unusual, layered blend of sharp sounds that define the album’s five tracks, perfectly orchestrated into a compelling cohesion of diverse elements such as vintage metal, electronic music, and modern sounds. A fertile ground for Emelie Sederholm’s vocal peculiarities, as she demonstrates a versatile timbre thanks to her background, which adds R&B and Scandinavian folk sensibilities to an already substantial musical exploration.
The balancing act in LOOK UP
Her singing is a balancing act that ranges across multiple dynamics, adapting each time to the soundscape created by the instrumental section, driven by the rhythm of the excellent Chagué and Nissim, and refined by Kurfürst’s guitar work, rich in groove and synthetic sounds.
Reconnecting with Mother Nature
The magnetic title track Look Up, the first single released, is perhaps the most concrete expression of the HOLOSOIL sound, with its pulsating riffs ready to awaken consciences lulled into a stupor by a world in ruins at our own hands. A society deaf to nature’s call seems to see before it only prospects of profit at the expense of the beauty that has sustained and protected us for millennia.
Reconnecting with Mother Nature [part 2]
It is time to reconnect with the creative and instinctive energy that has sustained Mother Earth for so long, to return to our origins, instead of seeking a new home to destroy through exorbitantly expensive interstellar voyages.
It is precisely in this spirit that the hypnotic Spiral fits in, emerging from a base with hints of Arabic influences before expanding into an intriguing ride. An almost ironic reflection on how the frantic pursuit of progress is leading us to reconsider the ancient essence of nature,
Cracks is the most experimental of the tracks
Cracks is perhaps the most experimental of the tracks, with its wall of sound steeped in electronics and guitar riffs evoking chaos and aggression, finding an intriguing counterpoint in Emelie’s interpretation, whose airy tone transports the listener to luminous spaces. Crystal-clear tones shape the score of Freakshow, before the track list perhaps presents us with its emotional climax in Animal, an adrenaline-fuelled track that aims to resonate both in the minds of prog enthusiasts and those who appreciate metal and alternative music. Connect with your animal instinct, with the wild form that makes you move.
Look Up is a helping hand extended to those seeking self-awareness
Look Up is a helping hand extended to those seeking self-awareness, so that the spirit may rediscover its instinctive nature and “the creature within us may make us feel free to run with the wind.”
The new HOLOSOIL universe is more determined than ever to continue to amaze and leave its mark. Skilled, imaginative, and brilliant, the four musicians fearlessly delve into unconventional sounds and lyrics. To find out if this burst of creative energy will be confirmed in the future, we’ll have to wait for their next full-length album, but given the promise hinted at in this work, we’re pretty sure we’ll be hearing more from these guys.
Track list
- …Look Up
- Cracks
- Spirals
- Freakshow
- Animal
Line Up
- Emelie Sederholm – Vocals
- Altaïr Chagué – Drums/Percussions
- Victor Nissim – Bass
- Jan Kurfürst – Guitars