Gig review: The Mariana Hollow at the Fiddler's Elbow
Last night, Camden’s Fiddler’s Elbow played host to The Mariana Hollow in their first headlining show with support from fellow London-based metallers SOLSIKK.
In the spirit of the modern music industry, The Mariana Hollow had organised the event themselves. Several bands had dropped out of the original line up, which meant an extended set from The Mariana Hollow – and this can only be a good thing.
However, The Mariana Hollow’s set started inauspiciously with rhythm guitarist Richie Walden somehow snapping his low E string with his first strum. Just a few songs later and his replacement guitar’s high E string was dangling from the fretboard, but this time he carried on. “He doesn’t need that one obviously”, quipped someone in the crowd.
All these string snapping shenanigans merely demonstrates the level of energy that The Mariana Hollow put into their music and they powered through tunes from both their debut release Coma Heart and forthcoming follow up Velvet Black Sky. Satisfyingly, this new material intertwined seamlessly with the old. Drummer Adam Stanley noted that it felt good to be able say “this is a song from our first album”.
He joined frontwoman Rebecca Spinks for some attractive vocal harmonies on the first song of the night Halo off Velvet Black Sky for which the band will shortly start work on a video. This is to take place in a barn it was announced, with Walden adding dryly that “we aren’t metal enough for a warehouse”.
In truth, The Mariana Hollow are good enough to play anywhere and certainly on a far bigger stage and to a much bigger crowd than the Fiddler’s Elbow could provide. Perhaps The Roundhouse down the road would do nicely.
In my opinion, it is the singer that makes or breaks a band and, in Spinks, The Mariana Hollow have something of a gem. As good live as on record, she exhibits the phrasing intricacies of Brandon Boyd, the quirkiness of Kate Bush and the power of Skin. Forthcoming acoustic sets in Guildford and London should provide a wonderful canvas to showcase her vocal dexterity.
When you back this up with Mr Tasteful, Danny Russell, on guitar with his beautifully crafted melodies and clever use of effects, aforementioned powerhouse Walden and the click-track cohesion of Scott Chesworth and Stanley in the rhythm section you have something quite special.
Tonight’s performance was classy, professional, energetic and importantly, full of simply quality tunes. The Mariana Hollow might be the lowest point in the world’s oceans, but these guys are surely destined to the hit the heights – the very top.
The Mariana Hollow reviewed for 11 is louder than 10 by Rich Ward
www.11islouderthan10.tumblr.com/post/8013678675/gig-review-the-mariana-hollow-at-the-fiddlers-elbow
