Hallowed Hearts
Masquerade
Diffusion Records
Both Alex Virlios and Andrew Sega were mostly well-known for work in the world of synthpop before founding their Hallowed Hearts project; the former for his work with Provision, and the latter for doing the heavy lifting in Iris for most of that band’s existence. That the duo would turn to what is essentially goth rock for the sound of Hallowed Hearts was unexpected, but speaks to both of their artistic strengths, with Virlios’ vocal charisma and Sega’s skill as an arranger and instrumentalist really standing out on their new LP Masquerade.
There’s a pleasingly unreconstructed sound to the Hallowed Hearts material, which in turn gives it a timeless feel. Take for example the title track, which is driven by a simple kick-snare drum pattern and a nice combination of sharper riffing and spidery arpeggios on the verses, and big washy guitars on the verse, recalling any number of second wave goth rock classics of the 90s. The production is clean and modern, with the electronics mixed to allow the guitars to lead the way. To that point, Sega does a bang-up job of strumming, soloing and playing minor key hooks across the entirety of the record. He’s a tasteful player who knows when to play a support role (doubling bass and providing rhythm on “Dreams”) and letting it all hang out (check the shimmery delay on the chorus of closer “Waiting”).
Virlios has a voice built for this style of music and projects the right mix of gravitas and yearning. He makes space for himself in busier numbers like the chugging “Open Your Eyes”, and keeping sparser songs like the moody “Last Chance” lively thanks to some expert phrasing that plays well against the programmed drums and bass. The record’s best cut “Breathe” really gives him an opportunity to shine, singing in a higher register that plays off the chorus’ guitar attack, and leaning in on the the whoa-ohs that give the song its anthemic power.
With those strengths in mind, Masquerade is very much the kind of record that lives and dies by its songs, an area where it handily acquits itself. Numbers are built around getting their hooks and choruses over from the ground up, and make the most of breakdowns and changeups between sections to keep the momentum fast and fluid. Hallowed Hearts are obviously students of how to put a song together, and their expertise in doing so makes the full LP an easy, varied listen from front to back.
