Reviews

Album Review: Cnngs - "Hollow"

by The Metalverse

Updated February 19, 2025

Cnngs releases new album "Hollow" | The Metalverse

Tracklist:

The Stock
Maniac
Turbulent Personality
Frustration
Charon
Styx
Writhing Chaos
Voracious
Wonder
Dread (My Own Grave)
Huggin & Munnin

Review

Cnngs, a duo project between musicians Charles Nicol and Nicholas Gotts just released their latest album "Hollow". Hailing from Ohio and Florida, respectively, the two-piece is a recording only act as of right now. Nicol and Gotts have also worked together for 17+ years in previous projects like Generation Gap.

The album starts off with "The Stock" a groovy rock track that quickly showcases a nostalgic classic rock sound that still sounds sharp and modern. Emphasized vocal melodies quickly bring melody as distorted guitar riffs and impactful drum beats fill in the background. Huge soaring choruses quickly build an attractive and dynamic rock sound that draws in listeners with a powerfully energetic musical style.

"Maniac" takes a more upbeat tempo and builds up with funky bass lines and hard-hitting guitar, expertly balancing verses with intentional emptiness to contrast anthemic choruses where full band instrumentation kicks in alongside fierce vocal hooks. Cnngs utilizes a unique lofi, "old radio" effect on the vocals at points, adding more elements of juxtaposition to keep things interesting and fresh throughout.

"Frustration" starts with a punk rock-esque drum beat while drawn-out vocals race alongside thrash-style guitar riffage. Cnngs takes listeners back to a nostalgic classic heavy metal and power metal sound with "Frustration" showcasing levels to the band's sound and a fearless sense of switching between musical styles. An ambient bridge features distant ominous laughter and screams, creating a dark and eerie soundscape before an electrifying guitar solo.

Track 5, "Charon" starts with panning phaser lead guitar and thumping bass lines that build up anticipation as grooving drum beats grow in dynamics. "Charon" acts as a sort of interlude with a full focus on intense instrumentals as the track features no vocals and leads into the next track in just under 3 minutes.

"Styx" slows things down with bright guitar chords and booming bass before introducing gentle, highly melodic singing. We really enjoy how Cnngs uses a wide array of musical influences that span multiple genres, leading to a unique sound from track to track that keeps things interesting.

"Writhing Chaos" debuts one of the heaviest sounds of the album so far–dark, fuzzy guitar riffs create a sludgy, doom metal sound before dramatic low singing joins the fray. Cnngs balances melody with catchy vocals while keeping a destructively heavy guitar tone for brutal chugs. At just under 5 minutes, "Writhing Chaos" takes the listener on a journey through a classic metal sound that reminds of acts like Black Sabbath while influences from doom, sludge, thrash, and power metal all bare their teeth.

Next comes "Voracious" a track that throws things back to a rock direction with a shredding blues-funk sound. Instrumentals follow descending/ascending scales as held chords create a powerful backbone for gliding harmonic signing. Cnngs shows off impressive musicianship and instrumentalism with more technical leads in "Voracious" while still keeping their sound fresh.

"Wonder" starts with lightly distorted acoustic guitar before jumping into a more heavily distorted sound with upbeat drums and soft clean vocals. Cnngs showcases a more melancholy sound with "Wonder" creating a thought-provoking, emotional rock anthem. The difference in sound between a track like "Writhing Chaos" and "Wonder" really showcases Cnngs versatility and musical arsenal.

"Dread (My Own Grave)" picks up the pace and reintroduces more metal instrumentals and groove-heavy drum beats to create an intricate soundscape. After a building intro "Dread (My Own Grave)" catapults into speeding tempos, thrashing riffs, and rapid singing. The longest song of the album at just over 6 minutes, listeners are taking on a sonic escapade through instrumental solos, addictive melodies, lighting-pacing, and dynamic melodies.

The final track of the album, "Huggin & Munnin" keeps the upbeat pacing of the last song, as blues/jazzy leads are brought back into the mix. Thudding blast beats are layered behind bright guitar in instrumental interludes before blasting into a final catchy chorus that finalizes the album on a high note.

Overall "Hollow" is an impressive showcase of what Cnngs has to offer and sets them aside from many other acts as the act showcases their bold genre-hopping influences from classic rock to metal, to blues and jazz, and even some extreme metal. You can stream "Hollow" out everywhere now!