Echo Hollow was a California based Heavy Metal band that draws comparisons to the 90's Thrash band 'Tourniquet'. The reason behind the strong similarities, between the two bands, lies with the fact that Echo Hollow's founding members - Guy Ritter & Gary Lenaire were both former Tourniquet band members. Frontman-Guy Ritter performed on Tourniquet's first three albums including 1990-'Stop The Bleeding', 1991-'Psycho Surgery', & 1992-'Pathogenic Ocular Dissonance'. Ritter left Tourniquet back in 1993 not long after the band's third release. Gary Lenaire played guitar for the band on their first 3 albums, alongside Ritter, and even played on Tourniquet's 4th album 1994-'Vanishing Lessons' as well.
In 1996, just after having left Tourniquet, both Guy Ritter & Gary Lenaire decided to form a new band called Echo Hollow. Ritter contacted his friend bassist-Matthew Fallentine, who would later become Ritter's brother-in-law. It wasn't long before the band got in touch with drummer-Matt Rosenblum who promptly came on board to complete the band's roster.
In 1996, just after having left Tourniquet, both Guy Ritter & Gary Lenaire decided to form a new band called Echo Hollow. Ritter contacted his friend bassist-Matthew Fallentine, who would later become Ritter's brother-in-law. It wasn't long before the band got in touch with drummer-Matt Rosenblum who promptly came on board to complete the band's roster.
Echo Hollow has two studio albums to their credit with their first being released in 1998 titled 'Diet Of Worms'. Their debut was well received by fans even gracing the cover of HM Magazine in 1999. In 2004 Echo Hollow recorded their followup album titled 'Superficial Intelligence' on Geneva Records. Their 2004 release saw the addition of Rhythm Guitarist-Rafik Oganyan who was added to the original line-up. As of 2005, after the release of 'Superficial Intelligence', all band members have gone there separate ways with the band being on an indefinite hiatus.
"Echo Hollow was really an independent studio project. Touring was never considered.
EH may do something in the future but I have no current plans for that." ― Gary Lenaire
EH may do something in the future but I have no current plans for that." ― Gary Lenaire
In 1998 Echo Hollow released their debut full-length studio album titled 'Diet Of Worms' on Geneva Records. Echo Hollow's debut release finds the band combining Heavy Metal with a progressive attitude lightly seasoned with Doom elements. Some songs that stand out here include track-1 "Diet Of Worms", track-2 "Thursday", track-3 "Sad", track-4 "A Fool's Errand", and Track-7 "Through The Veil".
Track-5 "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and track-6 "Take My Shoes" really shouldn't have been placed on the album because they are not in keeping with the other tracks and just sound out of place. Track-5 is a cover of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" song from U2's 1983-'War' album. Even though Echo Hollow did a good job on the cover, I feel like the band's original tracks are much better. Guy Ritter does a good job vocally on track-6 "Take My Shoes" however, the tune is underwhelming with the repetition of the same lyrics and the lack of Metal music within the song's arrangements.
Track-5 "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and track-6 "Take My Shoes" really shouldn't have been placed on the album because they are not in keeping with the other tracks and just sound out of place. Track-5 is a cover of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" song from U2's 1983-'War' album. Even though Echo Hollow did a good job on the cover, I feel like the band's original tracks are much better. Guy Ritter does a good job vocally on track-6 "Take My Shoes" however, the tune is underwhelming with the repetition of the same lyrics and the lack of Metal music within the song's arrangements.
The album's title track 'Diet Of Worms' refers to and celebrates the story of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. As the story goes, Martin Luther was a monk that was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1507. Luther began to read the bible and soon became indignant over some of the Catholic Church's beliefs and practices especially in the area of Indulgences. These indulgences were certificates believed to reduce the temporal punishment for those who die and go to "Purgatory"(Purgatory is not mentioned in the bible) for sins committed either by the purchasers or their loved ones. In 1517 Martin Luther approaches the front door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg armed only with a hammer and nailed his 95 Theses to the door. Within his Theses, Luther wrote 95 revolutionary statements that would begin the Protestant Reformation. He condemns the excesses and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, especially the papal practice of demanding payment for “indulgences” for the forgiveness of sins. Luther claimed that the repentance required by Christ, in order for sins to be forgiven, involves inner spiritual repentance rather than merely external sacramental confession. He argued that indulgences led Christians to avoid true repentance and sorrow for sin, believing that they could forgo it by purchasing an indulgence.
In 1521 Luther was summoned to an assembly(Imperial Diet) of the Holy Roman Empire which is known as the Diet Of Worms because it was held in a German city called Worms. At this assembly, Luther was firmly told to recant statements made in his 95 Theses and to revoke the "heresies" of various books in his possession. Despite the agreement that he could return home safely, it was privately understood that Luther would soon be arrested and punished. To protect him from this fate, Prince Frederick seized him on his way home and hid him in Wartburg Castle. It was during his time in the Wartburg Castle that Luther began his German translation of the Bible which helped advance the protestant movement.
In 1521 Luther was summoned to an assembly(Imperial Diet) of the Holy Roman Empire which is known as the Diet Of Worms because it was held in a German city called Worms. At this assembly, Luther was firmly told to recant statements made in his 95 Theses and to revoke the "heresies" of various books in his possession. Despite the agreement that he could return home safely, it was privately understood that Luther would soon be arrested and punished. To protect him from this fate, Prince Frederick seized him on his way home and hid him in Wartburg Castle. It was during his time in the Wartburg Castle that Luther began his German translation of the Bible which helped advance the protestant movement.
Vocalist-Guy Ritter(Holy Danger, Tourniquet) sounds better than ever on this '98 release drawing immediate comparisons to his earlier Holy Danger & Tourniquet days. Guy Ritter has a unique vocal delivery making it difficult to draw comparisons between him and other vocalists of the same genre. If you are one of those who think that christian Metal bands are not original then you really need to check out some of the offerings Ritter has brought to the table.
Over the years, Guitarist-Gary Lenaire(Holy Danger, Tourniquet) has released 12 records and was nominated for six GMA Dove Awards. In Addition, he received HM Magazine's "Guitarist of the Year" award from 1994-1996 and has published over 90 songs world wide.
From track to track the lyrics take on some heavy subject matter including Martin Luther & the Reformation, the existence of God, depression, suicide, loneliness, and salvation.
Lyrics are thought provoking and Christ centered as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Diet Of Worms"
Luther, (Luther)
A monk whose conscience wouldn’t bow to the will of a man,
The bible that he read didn’t jive with the Catholic brand,
And the foolish empire told him to shut it down,
They said, “How can faith alone save your soul?”...
Unless I am shown by scripture and reason, my faith isn’t found in man’s old tradition,
And I won’t recant of my faith in God’s word,
Treason of conscience is not safe nor right.
It’s time to show the world that Christians live a real religion,
Beware, reform the church and do away with dead indulgence,
We show a dying world that Jesus lives today, forever,
We know the Lord is seen though our faith to love another.
Luther, (Luther)
A monk whose conscience wouldn’t bow to the will of a man,
The bible that he read didn’t jive with the Catholic brand,
And the foolish empire told him to shut it down,
They said, “How can faith alone save your soul?”...
Unless I am shown by scripture and reason, my faith isn’t found in man’s old tradition,
And I won’t recant of my faith in God’s word,
Treason of conscience is not safe nor right.
It’s time to show the world that Christians live a real religion,
Beware, reform the church and do away with dead indulgence,
We show a dying world that Jesus lives today, forever,
We know the Lord is seen though our faith to love another.
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" (U2 Cover)
The real battle yet began (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
To claim the victory Jesus won (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
The real battle yet began (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
To claim the victory Jesus won (Sunday, Bloody Sunday)
"Thursday"
Jesus, please God
Without you, I am nothing
If I can see the Way tomorrow brings another day
For God has proved to me He's someone real
I hurt so bad inside I almost gave it up and died
Thursday's a chance
It's not the last
Thursday's the past
Jesus, please God
Without you, I am nothing
If I can see the Way tomorrow brings another day
For God has proved to me He's someone real
I hurt so bad inside I almost gave it up and died
Thursday's a chance
It's not the last
Thursday's the past
"Sad"
When I'm alone in my car I keep falling apart,
My troubles start to kick in; my wounds are bleeding again,
Things no one would know, but in my car they explode,
Consumed by my memory, sometimes my worst enemy.
I'm wounded, withdrawn,
Worried, the unknown,
Discouraged, used, (can you take the pain away?)
Depression, alone. (can you take my pain away?)
I'm sad,
I'm feeling like I never have,
Can you help me?
When I'm alone in my car I keep falling apart,
My troubles start to kick in; my wounds are bleeding again,
Things no one would know, but in my car they explode,
Consumed by my memory, sometimes my worst enemy.
I'm wounded, withdrawn,
Worried, the unknown,
Discouraged, used, (can you take the pain away?)
Depression, alone. (can you take my pain away?)
I'm sad,
I'm feeling like I never have,
Can you help me?
"A Fools Errand"
Feels like I'm losing my mind and I've lost control,
Feels like I'm losing you now and I've lost my soul,
Feels like I'm losing my mind and I've lost control,
Trying to find my way,
You are my only hope.
Jacob saw the angels going up and down,
We will see them just the same upon the Lord,
Heaven sent a highway full of grace and truth.
Joining God...
Joining God...
Joining God and man forevermore.
You know, there were times in my single life when I felt like giving up, but God had a plan. God always has a plan if could only hear his voice. We can hear his voice is we listen.
Feels like I'm losing my mind and I've lost control,
Feels like I'm losing you now and I've lost my soul,
Feels like I'm losing my mind and I've lost control,
Trying to find my way,
You are my only hope.
Jacob saw the angels going up and down,
We will see them just the same upon the Lord,
Heaven sent a highway full of grace and truth.
Joining God...
Joining God...
Joining God and man forevermore.
You know, there were times in my single life when I felt like giving up, but God had a plan. God always has a plan if could only hear his voice. We can hear his voice is we listen.
"Through The Veil"
Rejected by the builders then became He the cornerstone,
Beautiful savior, the grave couldn't hold you down.
Torn now is the veil,
And now you call to me, to come to you,
Your body torn for me,
Your blood was shed for me, and now I know the way is through the veil.
The debt of the sinner can only be paid with blood,
Holy wrath and anger; forgiven through Christ alone.
Rejected by the builders then became He the cornerstone,
Beautiful savior, the grave couldn't hold you down.
Torn now is the veil,
And now you call to me, to come to you,
Your body torn for me,
Your blood was shed for me, and now I know the way is through the veil.
The debt of the sinner can only be paid with blood,
Holy wrath and anger; forgiven through Christ alone.
Echo Hollow's 'Diet Of Worms' recording is a rare and hard to find release which desperately needs to be republished. The band comes highly recommended for fans of the 90's Thrash Metal band Tourniquet.
Purchases can be made at any of the following links:
Musicians:
Guy Ritter(Holy Danger, Tourniquet) - Lead Vocals
Gary Lenaire(Holy Danger, Tourniquet) - Guitars & Vocals
Matthew Fallentine - Bass
Matt Rosenblum - Drums
Guy Ritter(Holy Danger, Tourniquet) - Lead Vocals
Gary Lenaire(Holy Danger, Tourniquet) - Guitars & Vocals
Matthew Fallentine - Bass
Matt Rosenblum - Drums