Review THE HALO EFFECT “March of the Unheard”

T he Halo Effect delivered a stunning debut album back in 2022, and that quality is what we could expect is what a look at the line-up explains. The Halo Effect, that’s a group of veterans from the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene who have joined forces to forge a band that follows its own musical passion. Fun, beyond the limits of expectations and frameworks is what echoes in songs like “The Needless End”.

Now, two years later, The Halo Effect release their second album “March of the Unheard”. Compared to the debut, the band now has a certain level of awareness and everyone will compare the new album to the previous blast. One thing is already clear at this early stage, “March of the Unheard” can compete with the very successful debut.

With “Cruel Preception”, “Detonate” and the title track, three lead singles have already been released, giving a first positive impression of what to expect from “March of the Unheard”.

Like on their debut album, the band combines the aggressiveness of death metal with melodies that grab you right away. The title track is a perfect example. Dark and heavy, it is the well-executed melody that is the captivating factor. The same goes for “Cruel Perception”, which also introduces a half-acoustic moment before the song unfolds its power in the powerful chorus.

“Detonate”, on the other hand, refers more to the melodic Death Metal roots. Typical Gothenburg style metal is what bursts out of the speakers, connecting us with the late 90s. But even with all this heaviness, “Detonate” still has some melodic moments and a slice of traditional metal when it comes to some guitar lines.

Lyrically, the sophomore album follows in the footsteps of the debut. This time it is about the unlimited spirit and fearlessness of youth. Even if it means being an outcast, it is the excitement and commitment that helps move mountains. It’s about non-conformity and following your inner voice, which helps to shape an individual personality.

An interesting fact is that the work on the second album started before the first show. The Halo Effect was about the premiere live on the main stage of Sweden Rock, and since the album only had 41 minutes of songs, the set was extended with an acoustic intro, which a few years later served as the basis for “Coda”, the album’s closer. While listening to the song with its symphonic elements one can feel the process from intro to magic instrumental.

But before “Coda” heralds the end of “March of the Unheard”, there are a few more songs that deserve a closer look. There is the opener “Conspire to Deceive”, which is the perfect blend of melodic approach and unleashed heaviness. The Halo Effect leave nothing to chance and sound fresh at the same time. You can hear the fun the guys had while writing and recording each of the twelve songs.

“Our Channel to the Darkness” is a fast-paced track and one of the more straightforward blasts on the album, while “Cruel Perception”, an ode to rebels, shows the band’s versatility. Also worth mentioning is the atmospheric interlude “This Curse of Silence”, which is a well-placed break in the album and yet fits perfectly into the context of the other tracks.

“Forever Astray” is another blast from the north, where Mikael Stanne partly uses his perfectly executed clean vocals, which he already presented on the Cemetery Skyline debut. The same mix of growls and clean vocals makes “Between Directions” one of the strongest songs on the album, with the change of vocal styles emphasizing the message of the song.

“March of the Unheard” is the expected next highlight from the Gothenburg metal veterans. The five-piece pick up where they left off on their debut. With a little more pressure on their shoulders, the band managed to create a similar ease as on the debut album and the album contains everything that Swedish melodic death metal stands for. Great heaviness, catchy melodies and vocals that alternate between growls and clear voices make The Halo Effect’s sophomore album another treat for the ears.