Year: 2025
Total Time: 44:12
Label: Nuclear Blast
Following the success of their debut album, THE HALO EFFECT return with a new record, fueled by the creative spark of Michael Stanne. Stanne seems to have made the studio his second home, following his continuous work with GRAND CADAVER, DARK TRANQUILLITY, and CEMETARY SKYLINE.
For those unfamiliar, THE HALO EFFECT is the brainchild of Niclas Engelin (GARDENIAN, IN FLAMES) and Michael Stanne. The line-up is rounded out by Jesper Stromblad, Peter Iwers, and Daniel Svensson – former members of IN FLAMES during their peak years. Naturally, the band’s sound is inspired by the melodic death metal of the late 2000s, blending the essence of that era’s IN FLAMES with the more modern stylings of DARK TRANQUILLITY.
The album opens with “Conspire To Deceive”, a dynamic, up-tempo track that embodies the Swedish style we came to know in “Days Of The Lost”. Dominated by lead guitar melodies and melodic riffs, it sets a powerful tone. Following this, “Detonate” kicks things up a notch, strongly reminiscent of “Pinball Map” with its sharp riffs and high-energy intensity. “Our Channel to Darkness” stands out as one of the album’s best compositions. It begins with a beautiful acoustic intro before transitioning into a fast, thrashy tempo with old-school riffing. The chorus slows things down, with lead melodies and subtle keyboards evoking a DARK TRANQUILLITY vibe. “Cruel Reception” is another up-tempo piece with an outstanding lead melody. Its verses calm down with clean guitars, reminiscent of “Square Nothing” from “Clayman”, before returning to an impressive chorus. “What We Become” starts slowly, gradually building to an explosive climax with riffs that seem to incorporate synth effects. The overall use of keyboards adds a touch of atmosphere, reminiscent of Stanne’s main band’s more atmospheric compositions. “Curse Of Silence” serves as an intro to the title track, evoking nostalgic memories of the magical instrumentals from IN FLAMES’ 1990s era. In “March of the Unheard”, another infectious guitar melody drives the track, though its short duration leaves you wanting more. The standout section in the middle, which recalls Colony-era brilliance, earns it extra points. “Forever Astray” takes the listener back to the “The Jester Race” with its fast, old-school rhythms. While the clean vocals in the chorus add a modern twist, a fully old-school approach might have been more fitting. Clean vocals also feature in “Between Directions”, a mid-tempo track with rich orchestration that leans towards contemporary DARK TRANQUILLITY. Though beautiful, it’s not one of the album’s strongest moments. “Death Becomes Us” is reminiscent of “Shadowminds” from “Days Of The Lost”, with similar lead melodies and heavy rhythm guitars. Although well-crafted, it doesn’t particularly stand out.In contrast, “The Burning Point” raises the bar with excellent melodies, riffs, fast tempos, and a powerful chorus. The fast sections are especially impressive, though unfortunately short-lived. The album closes with “Coda”, a mesmerizing track featuring acoustic guitars and strings, creating a melancholic and nostalgic atmosphere.
The new THE HALO EFFECT album is a strong follow-up to their debut. It delivers everything fans loved in the first record: melodies inspired by classic IN FLAMES, old-school elements, and Stanne’s passionate vocals. However, for those familiar with “Colony” and “Clayman”, some ideas may feel recycled. Additionally, the modern, “pop” approach to the Melodeath sound – an influence IN FLAMES introduced around that time – diminishes some of the rawness that once defined the genre. Despite these critiques, this is a solid album with a beloved sound that many fans have missed. It’s also delightful to see Jesper Stromblad active again, bringing his iconic guitar work back into the spotlight!
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Dimitris Benetatos
Related Link: THE HALO EFFECT – Official Page