“My stories burn to cinder.”
When Amorphis released Queen of Time in 2018, it was the epitome the band had reached in their career spanning three decades. With Halo, the band go on to prove that it is possible to reach even higher heights. A soothing blend of melodic death metal peppered with folky oriental melodies and orchestral arrangements. It manages to be accessible to new listeners while also providing depth once you dig through the various layers mixed into a satisfying package that is Halo.
Album opener, “Northwards”, gives a tiny glimpse of what the album encompasses with what feels like the band holding back the ever-apparent effects that are present on their vast majority of songs. “On The Dark Waters” possesses qualities of the melodic songs, something that would fit right in on the band’s older albums but presented with a modern touch to it. “The Moon” provides some respite from the hard hitting aggression of the first two songs to deliver a slower moody melody, one that is further accentuated with female vocals in duality with the harsh vocals of Tomi Joutson.
There has never been doubt in regards to the bands’ artistic vision, and “A New Land” cements that. Featuring a sitar solo in between the aggression of the guitars, Amorphis’ ability to mix up different elements has created a niche and unique sound that no other band has been able to brush close to. Another track that stands out from the standard but great fare is title track “Halo”. A song comprising entirely of clean vocals, both male and female in symbiosis, the melody buries itself in your mind.
Some of the songs such as “Windmane” and “War” feel unnecessary owing to them offering nothing grandiose as compared to some of the other tracks on the record. Nonetheless, they still are stellar and work well while looking at the bigger picture that is Halo. “The Wolf” is the heaviest and most fast paced song on the album packed with a haunting bridge. It is the perfect song to precede the closer, “My Name Is Night”. It might just be one of the best songs Amorphis have written to date. Long time readers would know that I’m not a fan of ballads, especially as closers, but this is one of those few that works. With a slow haunting piano melody accompanied by male and female vocals, it serves as the perfect closure to Halo.
The lyricism, vocal delivery, and range are something to write home about, in addition to the plethora of instrumental variety on the album. It is rare that a band does not fall off so long into their career, and for Amorphis, this has been due to constant experimentation and incorporation of different sounds, atmospheres, and rhythm changes throughout almost every song. Managing to be catchy and easily digestible, there is a lot to uncover on Halo once you invest yourself into the album.
8/10
For streaming, and purchasing Halo by Amorphis click here.