EP REVIEW: Vol. I: A Profound And Nameless Fear – The Holy Nothing

Formed in Fort Wayne, Indiana as recently as 2022, THE HOLY NOTHING set out their wares on this, their debut EP. They’re aiming for a fusion of the ‘holy trinity of rocks’ (stoner, desert and grunge) and hoping to be able to provide the perfect soundtrack for your end of the world party. How well have they pulled if off? Let’s have a look shall we?

Opening track Bathe Me serves up real garage rock vibes from the off, with a rough-around-the-edges production that suits the song perfectly. Particularly effective is the combination of vocal styles, the reverb-heavy harmonies and use of layering recalling early QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, particularly in the Nick Olivieri-esque chorus screams. 

Follow-up Bliss Trench continues in a similar vein, discordant, stabbing guitars punching through the sludgy mix, the desperate vocals of the verses followed by the Homme-like croon in the choruses adding a sinister, creepy edge before descending into a slowed down, doom-tinged coda that really hits home. In fact, this creepiness comes through in many of the songs here, perhaps not a surprise as the band are self-confessed fans of horror movies and their soundtracks.

At slightly over three minutes each, these two songs provide a great introduction to the energy of the band and something about their frantic, slightly unhinged nature even recalls bits of AT THE DRIVE-IN or FUGAZI. These are heavy, energetic, punky pieces that really highlight the vocals of Joey Kaufman and Dan Kinnaley well.

Track three, Unending Death, adds more of a classic doom metal approach to things, without just resorting to a pure SABBATH tribute, with a slow, building crescendo of an intro before it all absolutely goes off on one with a big meaty verse (is it a verse?) riff. The unconventional structure on this song means it stands out as something unique, although the more shrill melodic vocals in the chorus might be a little too at odds with everything else for some listeners.   

Mondegreen brings the metal even more, a darker, chuggier riff and gothic, almost CRAMPS-style vocal again emphasising the band’s horror influences and their desire to create an atmosphere of existential dread with their music.

This heady mix of horror-punk energy and stoner rock cool makes for something exciting and, while some listeners may be put off by the more chaotic nature of some of these songs, those who enjoy their music dirty, swaggering and volatile will find plenty to love with THE HOLY NOTHING‘s debut offering. If this is anything to go by, their first full-length album is something to really look forward to.

Rating: 7/10

Vol. I: A Profound And Nameless Fear is set for release on November 17th via self-release.

Follow THE HOLY NOTHING on Bandcamp.