We Speak Music

Hollow Stare Redefines Metal with ‘Diary Of A Madman’

Published

2 years ago

August 31, 2024

Hollow Stare has officially unleashed their highly anticipated album, Diary Of A Madman, a bold and masterful exploration of progressive metal and deathcore that promises to reshape the boundaries of the genre. Following the success of their debut single “Sleep,” the duo has elevated their sound with this full-length release, diving deep into the emotional and sonic landscapes that define their musical vision.

A Sonic Journey Through Madness

Diary Of A Madman is not just an album; it’s a journey. From start to finish, the record pulls listeners through a compelling narrative filled with epic, angry, and melancholic themes. Hollow Stare has crafted a unique blend of brutal riffs and beautifully melodic passages, creating a sound that is as emotionally resonant as it is sonically intense.

One of the standout tracks on the album is “I’m Barely Alive,” a song that exemplifies the depth and complexity of Hollow Stare’s music. This track, born from vocalist and drummer Ben Fleming’s desire to convey profound heartbreak, begins with an orchestral intro composed by multi-instrumentalist Daniel Friedman-Posner. The orchestration, performed by the London BBC Symphony, sets a dramatic tone that is both cinematic and overproduced in the best way possible. The integration of instruments like the .strandberg* Boden 8 Prog and the Dingwall NG3 bass creates a rich, full-bodied sound that underscores the song’s intense emotionality.

Evolution and Mastery

Hollow Stare’s journey from a promising new act to a powerful force in the metal scene is palpable in Diary Of A Madman. Formed in 2023 by Daniel Friedman-Posner and Ben Fleming, the duo has a long history of collaboration, which shines through in their seamless fusion of progressive metal and deathcore. Their sound is influenced by heavyweights like Periphery, Nine Inch Nails, and Lorna Shore, but they have managed to carve out a unique identity that is unmistakably their own.

Daniel’s expertise in production and Ben’s raw vocal power combine to create a sound that is both hard-hitting and sophisticated. Their debut single “Sleep” garnered significant attention, including top-chart placements and playlist features, which set the stage for the album’s release. However, Diary Of A Madman takes their artistry to new heights, showcasing their evolution as musicians and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what metal can be.

Discovering a Unique Sound

For Daniel and Ben, Diary Of A Madman represents a pivotal moment in their creative journey. “’I’m Barely Alive’ is a song that defines the sound Ben and I have in our heads,” says Daniel about the lead track. “With our previous releases, we were setting the stage, but with this track, we feel we’ve truly discovered our unique sound and direction.” This sentiment echoes throughout the album, as each track builds on the last, leading listeners through a labyrinth of sound that is as complex as it is cohesive.

The Road Ahead

Hollow Stare’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Their debut single “Sleep” achieved notable success, including a top 5 spot on the charts in Dallas, TX, and widespread playlist placements. As their fanbase continues to grow, so does their potential to make a significant impact on the metal scene. Diary Of A Madman is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a declaration of intent from a band that is poised to redefine what it means to be a metal act in the modern age.

With Diary Of A Madman, Hollow Stare has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with. This album is a must-listen for fans of progressive metal and deathcore, as it offers a fresh and innovative take on the genres while staying true to the raw emotional core that defines their music. As they continue to evolve and push the boundaries of their sound, Hollow Stare is undoubtedly a band to watch in the years to come.

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We Speak Music

Michele Ducci teases new album with uplifting indie single ‘Woman Like You’

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2026

Don Reed

Michele Ducci has unveiled the second single, ‘Woman Like You’, from his forthcoming album and animated film ‘Snail in the Clouds’.

‘Woman Like You’ pairs bright distorted electric guitar with an electronic drumbeat, adding in Ducci’s soulful vocals and a catchy uplifting chorus with Letizia Mandoleisi’s sweet vocal harmonies. A vintage organ pedalboard operated by Ducci simultaneously generates chords, bass and rhythm, like a one-man band. Shane Kennedy (Girl in the Year Above) joins in on guitar. Simon Milner (Is Tropical, Ysing) recorded and produced the track at his 4am Studios in London.

The album and film tell the story of a planet called ‘Snail’, inhabited by hybrids – primarily a mixture between scorpions, snails and humans – who lead a life according to the style of Pythagoras, devoted to music. There is also a cloud man named Agostos, a writer of musical operettas, who together with a talking smoke machine called Doctor Subtilis, begins to kill all hybrids, targeting in particular the hybrid musician Diodoros and his band, in an effort to steal the ark of melodies, an ancient ship that allows the whole planet to survive with music and joy.

The video for the single, created and animated by Ducci and Mandoleisi, delves further into the realm of planet ‘Snail’:

Says Ducci, “The ark of melodies, after various attempts, finally starts to work and fly in the planet Snail, while the shady Doc. Sub. and Agostos, with their platoon of soldiers made of foggy smoke, spy the miracle, planning to steal the ark for their evil and tyrannical purposes.”

About the track, Michele says, “I wrote this song for my love Letizia. Love seen from the mind is the sound we make. Sound is the love of matter.

We used a Technics synthesizer organ from a flea market. I tried to find a mood that was right for the song and I started using the bass of the pedal board together with the synth and the drums, and it was magical to hear the song reveal itself all coming from a single instrument. Leti was singing with me and we recorded everything live in one shot. Then we made Shane do the guitar flight, as if he came out of the window. The idea was to maintain disproportions, guitar thrust and synth drum thinness a la Haroumi Hosono, so as to create an estrangement, but naturally: it’s about how I listen, with close up something that captures me in its nuance as element of a larger orchestra somewhere. I’m glad we decided in the studio with Simon to use the layers of arrangement as the close-ups in the cinema; they look like strange enlargements that perch on parts of a mutated orchestra. I’m happy to come back with this love song at a time when everything seems to opt, even my labor in managing the flows of selfishness that have poured out on me while doing this album, for the sound of war. I’m here happy to be able to say that the sound of love always wins as did for me. Snail in the clouds is one of the most important works in my life and I am glad to start from pure love for this album that is my son.”

The album and full-length film will be released on the 5^th of June on Monotreme Records.

Michele and Letizia’s previous musical short film, ‘The Great Book of Nature’, is an official selection for the 2026 Venice Shorts Film Festival.