Is it too early to start discussing “Album of the Year”? I’ll stick my neck out and say that even though it’s only just February, I’m confident ‘Halo’ will feature in many of these lists, and may well sit at the top of mine. Anyway, I’m sure most people visiting Ave Noctum are familiar with the Finnish Stalwarts Amorphis who have been carving their own niche in the metal landscape for over thirty years. During this time they have evolved from a death metal outfit to one that now incorporates progressive and folk influences, and have evolved their own signature style juxtaposing harsh vocals with soaring, epic melody and vocal lines. ’Halo’ is no exception.

Opening track ‘Northwards’ gets straight into it with a galloping introduction before the familiar gruff vocals kick in over a rumbling bass line. This soon breaks into soaring melodies and clean vocals, before dipping back to the harsher vocals. There is then a progressive, almost jazz infused passage. As the track progresses, a short burst of a choir adds depth and variety, and through it all, are Amorphis’ trademark melodies which are continued during the galloping ‘On The Dark Waters’.

The pace slows a little during the beginning of ‘The Moon’ with a more introspective feel before it bursts into life with glorious melodies building to an epic classic. The pace is kept up with ‘Windmane’ which is perhaps a little more aggressive with rampaging vocals and an outstanding instrumental section including keys which sits nicely alongside the more prog elements of the track. It goes without saying that the trademark back and forth between the gruff and clean vocals remain the foundation of these tracks. ‘A New Land’ has a subtle Eastern feel and one section where Tomi’s vocals are harmonised with female vocals to great effect, whereas ‘When the Gods Came’ brings a memorable sign along chorus making this track destined to become a live favourite. ‘Seven Roads Come Together’ brings a little more urgency while retaining epic melodies and it builds into another truly memorable track. A little more emotion is added during ‘War’ and this is emphasised with the use of a choir, giving it a distinctive edge.

Up to this point, things have followed a familiar formula but as we get to the back end of the album, things take a bit of a change in direction. The title track explodes into life after an electronic soundscape intro. It has a poppier feel, and at times reminded me of mid era Paradise Lost. The track is unusual as it only uses clean vocals but this adds to the effect and the track soon gathers momentum. There is a sudden drop in pace as sublime, almost ethereal female vocals add atmosphere, before the track builds back to its previous rhythm. This is one that gets into your head and you find yourself humming it for days after.

Penultimate number ‘The Wolf’ has a galloping bass line as its focal point, alongside the usual gruff and clean vocal combinations. Once more, great dynamics keep variety in the song and a rich instrumental adds depth before the appearance of an orchestra changes the atmosphere but works really well. The album is brought to a close by the ballad ‘My Name is Night’ with guest vocals from Petronella Nettermalm of Swedish rock outfit Paatos. Her melancholic, yet soothing vocals augment Tomi’s clean yet more robust delivery as the track builds a proggy, emotional feel. It is an interesting decision to close the album with this and in some ways it feels like a cool down after the rampaging complexities and dynamics of the rest of the album, and in this respect it works very well.

This album had a lot to live up to given the calibre of the Amorphis back catalogue, but it more than stands its ground, effectively blending aggression and heavy passages with more uplifting, glorious melodies and vocal dynamics. At times it is epic and bombastic, at others more lugubrious but throughout it is completely engaging and with each listen new subtleties are revealed. This really is a fantastic album and well worth your ear and hard-earned pennies.

(9.5/10 Andy Pountney)

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