ALL HALLOWS EVE
All Hallows Eve (Single)
All Hallows Eve is an open-minded goth coalition based in Cologne / Bochum (Germany). Since its inception in 2012, many artists from Germany, UK and over Europe, have been part of this collaborative project, being the repertoire imprinted by their distinctive talents and characters. Even though the founder core consisting of the guitarist and producer Tom O'Connell (Traumtaenzer/The House Of Usher) and bassist Lars Kappeler (Sweet Ermengarde/Violet), remains unchangeable. Later in the past year, Mike Shaw (ex-Leichenwetter) joined the permanent line-up on drums. Gifted vocalists such as Rachel Speight (Die Laughing), Marion Küchenmeister (Invisible Limits), Myk Jung (The Fair Sex), Bianca Stücker (The Violet Tribe), Jordan Reyne (The Eden House) and the ones featured in this debut release, has contributed to All Hallows Eve's sound till the date. Also renowned musicians like Ashley Dayour (The Whispers In The Shadow/Coma Divine) and Mike York (Kalt/Garden of Delight), among others, have been involved in this constantly evolving project. That diversity is what enables All Hallows Eve to offer an attractive mixture of styles, ranging from New Wave to Gothic Rock, but also including hints from Ambient and Folk. All Hallows Eve's self-titled single (available only as a download) provides an utterly polished mix of surrounding and catchy tunes, which sound nuances are as varied as the personalities of the collaborators are.
Coming through danceable machined beats and flanging chords, the single's opener "All Hallows Eve" (Album Mix) makes its appearence. Throbbing bass lines and pounding drums join the intense driving pace while sparkling guitar melodies in the like of The Mission UK twirls around it from time to time. The charming, elegantly hoarse vocals by Tim Chandler (Pretentious Moi?) shine above the clear backdrop. Overall, these elements make song a worthy challenger to the goth-hits podium. Following "All Hallows Eve" (Bathouse Club Mix) springs to mind the word anthem unavoidably. Lacking in the groovy electronics of the previous one, this version becomes darker and pure. In addition to the powerful rhythm section, the track incorporates aggresive riffs and a plenty of shimmery 12-string guitar layers what makes it further epic. The release also features a third vision of the title track which is the "2XT Mix" by the German DJ Thomas Thyssen. Subtly assembled from a modern perspective, the song sharps its dancefiller nature while achieving certain elegance and neatness. Closing the single, we find a cover version of "Morning Glory" (originally composed by John Foxx) featuring Jörg Kleudgen (The House Of Usher) on vocals. Radically slowing down the tempo, the track gives rise to a mournful (while placid) atmosphere. Giving prominence to the emotive, cunning voice by Jörg, some sinuous guitar and synth melodies surround it from the distance, providing an endless-evoking mood.
All Hallows Eve provides the opportunity for reliving the goth rock highlights, through a clever combination of atmospheric and addictive tunes, where each guest talent leaves its hallmark.
Review by Billyphobia
- 01. All Hallows Eve (feat. Tim Chandler) [Album Mix]
- 02. All Hallows Eve (feat. Tim Chandler) [Bathouse Club Mix]
- 03. All Hallows Eve (feat. Tim Chandler) [2xT Mix]
- 04. Morning Glory (feat. Jörg Kleudgen)