01. End of the Age
02. The Challenge
03. The Chosen One
04. Jesus Christ
05. New Millenium
Line Up:
Michael Majalahati - Vocals
Samuel Hoisko - Guitar
Mikko Tuliniemi - Guitar
Jami Pohjoismaki - Bass
Markus Ketonen - Keyboards
Timo Peltokangas - Drums
Hallowed is a Finish band that look like some Disney pretty boy band (ie. N'Sync/Backstreet Crap). Short, stylish haircuts with the exception of vocalist Michale Majalahti, who has shoulder length hair. So, he must be the rebel of the band. Ah, but let us not judge by appearances for the music contained herein is pure heavy metal. The band has some obvious musical influences in Blind Guardian and especially in Stratovarious. Lyrically the band espouses their Christian beliefs, but without coming of as corny. (i.e. There are not references to "rocking for the Rock.") This being their first EP, I am anxious to hear what else they come up with because this is a spectacular start.
Originally forming in Finland in 1997 under the name Valo (Finnish for light), the melodic metal band Hallowed placed two tracks on the From Kaamos To Midnight compilation before finalizing its line up with the addition of vocalist Michael Majalahti in 1999. Releasing its five song debut EP End Of The Age a year later, Hallowed goes after an energetic eighties influenced melodic metal sound with power metal tendencies. Majalahti, of all things, used to be a professional wrestler. (Any of you wrestling fans out there remember Michael Wildside?) But unlike Hulk Hogan, this guy can actually sing- and quite well at that! Majalahti - who lists Vince Neil as a musical influence and takes his wrestling moniker from the title of a Motley Crue song - brings a very fine mid-octave ranged voice to the project. Samuel Hoisko does an impressive job contributing the albums lead guitar work and forms a solid guitar team with rhythm guitarist Mikko Tuliniemi. Drummer Timo Peltangas and bassist Jami Pohjoismaki round out the rhythm section, while Markus Ketonen effectively accentuates the bands sound on keyboards.