When it comes to Finnish metal, one of the first names that (should) come to mind is Amorphis. With a steady course since 1990 and many diamonds in their discography, they return with their fourteenth full-length album four years after “Queen Of Time”.
“Halo” is in a unique way heavier but also more melodic/atmospheric than their recent works. How this is done? Well, ask them yourselves, since it is remarkable that after so many years on the scene they still have great inspiration and create such good works with their own character.
The two main components of “Halo” are melodic death and atmospheric metal. In its more aggressive moments we hear beautiful heavy guitars and the excellent Tomi Joutsen with his death growls. On the contrary, in their most atmospheric moments, we hear the well-known sound of the band with Joutsen giving us very beautiful melodic vocal performance.
Of course, they do not just stay there as various elements enrich their sound. Like the folk influences or prog character that never left their DNA, since you will hear songs with parts and alternations that you do not expect. Or touches like the guitar sounding like a sitar in “On The Dark Waters”, symphonic elements that make even greater songs like “The Moon” and “Seven Roads Come Together” or the wonderful key solo in “Windmane” to name a few.
Several guests also contribute to this effort. In the orchestrations for the second consecutive album the Italian Francesco Ferrini (Fleshgod Apocalypse) as well as for the first time the American Jesse Bartholomew Zuretti (Binary Code). Joutsen is also accompanied by Israeli Noa Gruman (Scardust) and Sweden’s Petronella Nettermalm (Paatos) with second vocals. Participations that give something more and help the final result.
And because we are talking about Amorphis and not some random guys, all of the above have blended in such a way that “Halo” retains their familiar style and does not sound out of place or alter the character of the band. After all, we are not used of getting disappointed by them. An album with aggressive but also very melodic moments that every fan of atmospheric metal sound should listen to.
