Hollowpath by Sleepwalkers: A Heavy Trip Worth Taking
Alright, so let’s talk about Hollowpath by Sleepwalkers. This doom-and-death metal beast came out in 2016 under Transcending Records, and man, it’s one of those albums that just grabs you by the throat (in a good way). Hailing from the US, these guys bring some serious weight with their mix of crushing riffs and haunting vibes. If you’re into stuff like old-school death metal but also dig when bands throw in some gloomy, atmospheric touches, this is gonna be right up your alley.
First off, I gotta shout out "Netherworld." It’s the opening track, and holy crap does it set the tone. From the first few seconds, you’re hit with this wall of sound—slow, heavy, and kinda feels like being buried alive in the best possible way. The vocals are guttural but not overdone, leaving space for the instruments to really shine. What sticks with me is how it builds tension without rushing. You know how some songs just blast you with noise and call it a day? Not here. This thing takes its time dragging you down into whatever dark pit they’re conjuring. By the end, you feel like you’ve been through something… significant.
Then there’s "The Burning Oracle," which might be my favorite cut on the album. Something about the pacing kills me—it’s faster than “Netherworld” but still super deliberate, like every note has a purpose. There’s this one riff midway through that honestly gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. Like, whoa, where did THAT come from? And the drumming? Insane. Super tight, almost tribal at points, which adds this ritualistic vibe to the whole thing. Honestly, if someone asked me what doom/death metal should sound like, I’d point ‘em straight to this track.
Now, minor gripe—I noticed "Sliver Of Salvation" shows up twice on the tracklist. Maybe it’s intentional or maybe it’s a typo, but hey, if you love a song enough to repeat it, why not? Either way, it’s solid too, though it doesn’t hit quite as hard as the other two bangers I mentioned.
What’s wild about Hollowpath is how cohesive it feels despite being packed with variety. Every song flows into the next like chapters in a twisted book. One minute you’re trudging through sludge-like riffs, the next you’re getting blindsided by blast beats. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but not in a cheesy pop-punk kind of way. More like… imagine staring into an abyss while headbanging furiously.
In the end, Hollowpath isn’t perfect, but damn if it doesn’t leave a mark. Listening to it feels like taking a journey somewhere grim yet beautiful. Oh, and fun fact—if you ever find yourself zoning out during a long drive late at night, throw this on. Trust me, it’ll make everything ten times creepier. Just don’t blame me if you start seeing shadows moving in your rearview mirror.
