TNL Onstage winners (2007), Hollow, has gone to become one of the most recognised and powerful heavy metal acts in this country with a very loyal fan base which continuous to grow. With their daring and aggressive image, Hollow is definitely not a force to be messed with. For the past two years Steven Shera, Khazim Miskin, Aki Peiris, Kasun Nawarathne and Dr. Gayan Danthanarayana have been going strong with a very solid line-up. Sadly, Steven, front man of the band, had to go overseas to pursue his working career. Stepping up and filling that position is Sohan Ratnaike from Fallen Grace. Sohan is infamous for his amazing voice and audacious energy he brings to the stage. On more sad news, after a couple of weeks, Khazim would be leaving the country as well, and Mosh Scream Rock 5 in March was Hollow’s last gig for the year. Aki, Khazim and Sohan met up with the Sunday Leader to talk about their amazing journey so far.
What’s the story behind Hollow? How did it all start? What did you want to achieve?
Aki: Hollow started off with Izzy (Fallen Grace, Cold Fusion etc.) and Steven and I knew him from working with Sword of the Spirit and he wanted to start a new band. Initially, Tony was the original guitarist in Hollow before we played any gigs and later he went on to play with Sword of the Spirit and then Mass Damnation. Izzy knew Khazim from school and he was brought in for guitars in Hollow. It was just a band we formed with no objective, just to make good music. We were into more acoustic / metalcore music at the time. Back in 2007 our first gig was at a Chokolaate magazine launch, where we played as Dead Rose Winter alongside Karmic Sulphur. Later we decided to play at TNL Onstage and changed our band name to “Hollow”. Hollow must have had the biggest line-up changes in Sri Lankan metal history (Laughs). After TNL Onstage, Izzy and Dilshan left the band and I took a break for a year or so. Steven and Khazim kept going with many replacements for each gig. It was not until about 2 years ago that we had a solid line up which was Steven, Khazim, Kasun, Gayan and I.Khazim: When it was all starting, I was the last member to be recruited into the band. Met some guys I never knew and just clicked. We didn’t talk much; just came to play some music. We did have a lot of line-up changes. Even my brother Zia took over bass for two years. What a bassist! One gig we played with three different drummers too somewhere in 2008 or 9(Laughs). 2009 was a year full of session musicians with Dumindu and Niroshan from ‘Merlock’ , Rizan and Naushan from ‘Karmic Sulphur’. My first original we got Kassa to play guitars with Nirodha on drums. Sohan: Well, my affiliation with Hollow began in 2007 after they won TNL Onstage finals. I was obviously with Fallen Grace at the time and I think a year later or so we began playing gigs together. For me they were very impressive, for the simple reason that they always looked to execute songs and structures beyond their means and were always challenging themselves. Even after so many years they’re relentless in the studio and this was what I wanted to experience coming off a hiatus with Grace.
Steven was a very prominent frontman with energy and an attitude that is hard to replicate. How is it having Sohan filling the position and what does he bring into the band? And Sohan, how is it being a part of Hollow?
Khazim: Each musician has his/her own unique sound. Steven leaving was devastating in a way that cannot be explained. Hollow’s first ever vocal change being a highlighting sound and the personality of the music we created… Sohan was the obvious recruit to the little platoon (Laughs). With a striking energy that came with his years of experience, domination, determination onstage…. with him as a frontman, we had no second thoughts. Sohan brought in just the right amount of forceful attitude just when we needed it the most. The smoothest transition I’ve had with the countless line-up changes. I am grateful and honoured to have him on-board.
Sohan: Steven and I are two different individuals with two contrasting styles of singing and energy. I don’t try to replicate Steven, because if I were to do so, I would be letting myself and the band down in the process. I believe that the band looked to me due to a certain singularity that only I can bring, so I look to honour that. It truly has been quite a journey for Hollow with astonishing gigs and powerful music.Tell us a few moments in your journey that made it all worth it and the impact being in the band had on you.
Aki: I would have to write an entire book if I was to tell all the stories we have gone through as a band, but if I had to select a few, some of my most memorable moments were when we formed the band. We had nowhere to practice, so we went to Khazim’s old house, soundproofed a room with whatever we could find and got out the instruments with no ventilation or a fan in there. We would sweat enough to fill a pool and practice for hours every day. Obviously the moment when they announced us as the winner of TNL Onstage 2007; we honestly did not expect it as there were such great bands like Wagon Park, Grey Mind Domain and Merlock playing with us that day. It came as a shock and it took a few days for it to actually sink in that we won. To add to that endless list of gigs where we just went all out and wild with the crowd, Colombo Open Air, Thrash the House Down, Mosh Scream Rock etc. Too many to name, but we have had some amazing times at so many shows and the crowd response has been amazing.Sohan: The first time Hollow really blew me away was back in 2012 at Colombo Open Air organised by Skzin. Normally, when the band before me is on I try to have some time to myself to prepare. That day, I remember I was right in front watching these guys belting out their tunes, especially Gayan shredding that hapless guitar to pieces and thinking that this is truly something else! But on a more personal note, the entire experience of working with Hollow is unforgettable, because they’re not afraid to push you to the brink. Also, getting to work with two pioneering bands in Sri Lankan metal is something I’m really proud of.
Khazim: I’ve been with Hollow from the inception of the band…the first gig and the first critics. Every bad time was a good time. With each gig, practice and year we grew in mind and soul. Our second school of thought and lessons, first being home, came from the band, music we played and listened to, the diverse religions and races. We could only complete one original a year with constant line-up changes and crazy personalities (Laughs). Life is amazing. Oh man the people, how can I forget. Some of the loveliest people in this world with so much heart and so much soul. Makes you think about life differently, enhances thought patterns and values. Wow. I am sincerely grateful to all the people, even to a few poser(Laughs). Patience, tolerance, sympathy, empathy…endless lessons. The 7 years in the band is the most memorable incident in my life.
Hollow has very powerful lyrics and there’s a difference in your music from ‘Sweet Betrayal’, ‘Metal Train’, ‘Liberate Terminate’ to ‘Freedom Fighter’. What do these really mean to you?
Aki: In general our lyrics are based on our everyday struggles and certain things everyone goes through. We base our music on world events, corruption, injustice so on and so forth. We believe that our music is a form of stress relief for people who have the same view as us.
Khazim: Corruption, frustration, anger, suffering, sadness, murder, oppression, aggression, a will to oppose the control of freedom of speech, freedom of thought and ideas. This is when we first really understood the impact we can make with music, a creative medium of conveying messages to the blinded. From playing rock ballads to some aggressive stuff, we found people…real men and women who connected with our music even though it was a handful. To this day we have friends that grew with the band and understood us completely.
With Khazim going abroad, the band is taking a break until he returns. What will happen during this period?
Aki: Since this was quite unexpected, it’s still not decided exactly what’s going to happen, but we will release our album somehow and we might take steps to find a way to record even with Khazim and Steven abroad. However, one thing for sure we are not going to stop this band for good. Metal is in our blood and soul, and each person in this band struggled to keep it alive just because we love to do it. Hollow will be back when everything falls into place again.Khazim: This period will be another learning curve. More time to spend on my guitar skills, when I leave…hopefully I pray. Sort out ways to fuel my passion for life and original music. We have 5 to 6 songs completed; sadly they’re mostly just dummies. We were so close to doing an EP, thinking about the minor details, not that it was impossible, but man it needs commitment. I always push for excellence and the best for my mates. There is no stopping me if I see value and talent. About new material, I’m not sure…a band is a combination of flavours. So my ideal situation would be creating music with every member contributing to the final product. Five flavours are better than one in my opinion. So we will see how things have developed when the time comes.
What do you guys think is the most significant barrier in Sri Lanka to make it in the metal industry?
Aki: Mainstream music is the biggest barrier in Sri Lanka, don’t get me wrong, there are so many amazing mainstream artists here but the majority of people do not appreciate live music. It’s not only metal , since we are in a more electronic age now… people would rather go to a club or a party than come watch some live music. It’s a matter of taste but metal music is not big in Sri Lanka and it’s a fact. People are just too close minded to understand metal music. All they would hear is noise and they don’t understand an instrument because what they know is electronic music. Again, don’t get me wrong I think most dj’s need to have a lot of talent to mix music, but people do not respect other forms of music styles like metal just because they can’t dance to it or it’s not “happy” enough. Either way metal will survive even if our concerts don’t draw more than 200 people, because the point of metal is not to make money. Heavy metal is a lifestyle and people who listen to it and support it truly believe in it. Hopefully things would get better in the future!
Sohan: For the moment, a lack of production outlets is what I see as our greatest barrier. I also think that bands should concentrate on getting their music recorded rather than doing bootlegs and merchandise.
Khazim: I don’t think metal has grown enough to be called an ‘industry’ in this country. There is a metal ‘scene’ here though. So many…lack of inspiration, ego, selfishness, aimless pride and conflict of interests maybe. Some demand respect, some recognition, some find value in fans and women. Finding the right balance is essential. I’d say concentrate on improving ones personality first; being true to ourselves is important in playing music. Your personality is portrayed through your music. Secondly, musical skills; there is no end to that. Master it to a level where you can transfer the thought/sound in your mind through your instrument; make it a part of you – a limb, an organ, a sixth sense. Lastly, creativity. Music is a 24 hour skill; there is no set time and place for creativity. Listen and work on it at all times. Every moment in your life involves music. You will succeed and grow in mind, soul, musically, socially and most of all in life, as a human being.
Who are your top five favourite artists?
Aki: Opeth, Porcupine Tree (Steven Wilson), Death, Tool and Pantera I suppose I’m more into Progressive bands. I like lots of jazz influenced bands and some old school death metal. Opeth has been the biggest influence for me personally and in my point of view Opeth has elements of almost all metal subgenres even rock and roll and 70’s psychedelic rock influences.
Sohan: Motorhead, Slayer, AC/DC, Celtic Frost, Hendrix
Khazim: Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Opeth, Pantera, Death
Top albums?
Aki: Death – Sounds of Perseverance/Symbolic. Opeth – All their albums Metallica – Kill ‘Em All/Ride the Lightning Pantera – Far Beyond Driven Porcupine Tree – Deadwing/In Absentia/Anesthetize
Sohan: I won’t say I have exactly the same preferences in music as the rest of the guys. They’re really big into their prog./thrash as opposed to me(Laughs), but for me, right now I’d say: Ghost – Opus Eponymous Emperor – Into the Infinity of Thoughts Slayer – Haunting the Chapel Deafheaven – Sunbather Darkside – Psychic
Khazim: Megadeth – Rust in Peace Slayer – Reign in Blood Pantera – Cowboys from Hell
Common Grounds of Uncommon People 