Marching in Melody
A New Era in Melodic Death Metal
There is perhaps no bigger name in melodic death metal than In Flames, who have gone stratospheric by tweaking their sound to suit a more mainstream audience. Seeking to return to the famed “Gothenburg sound” of the early 90s that put Sweden on the metal map, five former members of In Flames got together to form The Halo Effect in 2019.
The Birth of Melodic Death Metal
Splicing together a then-unique buzzsaw guitar tone, courtesy of overdriving the Boss Heavy Metal 2 pedals, with melodic tendencies spawned an entire sub-genre — melodic death metal. Alongside Dismember, Unleashed, and the mighty Entombed, In Flames are considered among the big four of Swedish melodic death metal.
The Halo Effect
Comprising Niclas Engelin (guitars), Peter Iwers (bass), Mikael Stanne (vocals), Jesper Strömblad (guitars), and Daniel Svensson (drums), the band is geared towards delivering highly infectious and hook-laden melodic death metal, with the odd bit of clean singing to add color to proceedings.
March of the Unheard
March of the Unheard is one of the year’s most highly anticipated releases, and the band does not disappoint. Hitting its stride from the very first track, Conspire to Deceive, it hooks listeners in with an almost Europe-like synth line. Not quite Final Countdown, but you get the picture.
A Masterclass in Melodic Death Metal
As expected, the production is clean and well-mixed to ensure that every instrument has space to breathe. That is crucial as the bombast of many of the tunes can seem overwhelming if the mix was muddy, but here they are masterfully delivered. This album is meant to be played loud for maximum effect, as one catchy riff after another spills out of the speakers or earbuds.
A Return to the Roots
This is expertly constructed melodic death metal by veteran musicians who know precisely which buttons to hit. While the entire sound is geared towards the roots of the scene, they have the necessary hooks to get the mosh pits swirling at larger live festivals.
A Bright Future Ahead
Will The Halo Effect go mainstream, reaching a mass audience like Gojira? On the strength of March of the Unheard, it is a very strong possibility. Definitely a stand-out release that should comfortably make any metalhead’s Top Ten list for album of the year.
Conclusion
The Halo Effect’s March of the Unheard is a triumphant return to the roots of melodic death metal, with a modern twist. With its infectious hooks and masterful production, this album is sure to delight fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a new band to follow, The Halo Effect is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
FAQs
* What is melodic death metal?
Melodic death metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that combines elements of death metal with melodic elements, such as clean vocals and harmonies.
* Who are the big four of Swedish melodic death metal?
The big four of Swedish melodic death metal are In Flames, Dismember, Unleashed, and Entombed.
* What is the “Gothenburg sound”?
The “Gothenburg sound” refers to the distinctive sound of melodic death metal that emerged in the 1990s in Gothenburg, Sweden, characterized by its use of fast-paced rhythms, heavy distorted guitar riffs, and melodic vocals.