Craft Recordings Celebrates 10th Anniversary Of Blessthefall’s “Hollow Bodies” With Vinyl Reissue

One of the most respected frontrunners in the metalcore community, Blessthefall was formed in 2004 by a group of high school friends in Phoenix, AZ. Within three years, the band signed their first label deal, released a bestselling debut, His Last Walk, and established a loyal fanbase. Meanwhile, the band embarked on a nationwide run with the 2007 Warped Tour and played supporting slots for acts like All That Remains, From First to Last and Alesana. In 2009, Blessthefall signed to Fearless Records, where they continued to build upon their foundation, thanks to acclaimed albums like Witness (2010) and Awakening (2011), both of which performed well on the Billboard 200 and landed in the Top 10 of the US Hard Rock and Independent Album charts.

By 2012, the band had solidified to include vocalist/bassist Jared Warth and clean vocalist/keyboardist Beau Bokan, as well as Eric Lambert (lead guitar, backing vocals), Elliot Gruenberg (rhythm guitar) and Matt Traynor (drums) when they entered the studio to begin work on their eagerly anticipated fourth album. Produced by Joey Sturgis (The Devil Wears Prada, Asking Alexandria, Of Mice & Men), Hollow Bodies would find the band experimenting with a heavier, darker sound, while still retaining their unique blend of symphonic instrumentals with rapid-fire riffs and beats.  

Setting the tone for the album is the dramatic opening track, “Exodus,” which transitions seamlessly between ethereal melodies and ferocious breakdowns, as Warth’s growls contrast with Bokan’s emotive vocals. Equally as cathartic are the breakneck singles “You Wear a Crown But You’re No King” (which the band premiered at Warped Tour 2013) and “Déjà Vu.” On the other end of the sonic spectrum is the heartbreaking, synth-driven ballad “Buried In These Walls,” and an emotive duet with the Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Lights, “Open Water.” The band also sought out several other collaborators on the album, including Pierce the Veil’s Vic Fuentes, who co-wrote the hook-filled “See You on the Outside,” and Stick to Your Guns frontman Jesse Barnett, who lends his vocals to “Youngbloods.” The anthemic “Carry On,” meanwhile, features August Burns Red singer Jake Luhrs.

Released in August 2013, Hollow Bodies was met with broad critical acclaim, as journalists and fans alike embraced the band’s heavier sound. Alternative Press praised Hollow Bodies as “an ambitious, impressive album,” while Rock Sound declared, “This is the album that will define their career.” Outburn noted that Hollow Bodies “carries on their tradition of putting out exciting albums that are worthy of praise and recommendation,” while HM Magazine wrote, “This album is a blistering example of why many have come to love Blessthefall. . . . This group is still the undisputed ruler of the post-hardcore scene.” Hollow Bodies also marked the band’s most commercially successful record to date, debuting at No.15 on the Billboard 200, topping the Hard Rock chart, and peaking in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Alternative Albums, Independent Albums and Rock Albums charts.

Reflecting on the LP, as well as the band’s return to the road, Beau Bokan says, “Hollow Bodies was the album that took our band to the next level and for that, we are forever grateful. Being able to do a 10th anniversary tour and play the record in its entirety is going to be incredibly special. It’s been four years since we played a live show and want to pick up right where we left off. We can’t wait to see your sweaty faces in the crowd!” 

In the decade following Hollow Bodies, Blessthefall has released two more bestselling albums, including To Those Left Behind (2015) and Hard Feelings (2018), both of which landed in the Top 5 of Billboard’s Alternative and Independent charts, as well as the Top 10 of the US Hard Rock and Rock charts. Most recently, the band (which currently includes Warth, Bokan, Lambert and Gruenberg) released the single “Wake the Dead,” which marks their first new music in five years.

Click here to pre-order Hollow Bodies

Source: thoughtswordsaction.com