The Halo Effect – March of the Unheard

 

The Halo Effect returns with their second album, “March of the Unheard”, released on January 10, 2025. This Swedish supergroup, featuring members with histories in bands like Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, and CyHra, once again delivers a pure Melodic Death Metal experience. It’s hard to believe that it has already been three years since their debut,Days of the Lost”, but the band proves with this record that they are here to stay.

Clocking in at just under 45 minutes, “March of the Unheard” consists of 12 tracks that seamlessly blend aggressive melodies, tight instrumentation, and Mikael Stanne’s signature vocal delivery. The album kicks off with a powerful one-two punch: “Conspire to Deceive” and “Detonate”. Both tracks boast soaring melodic guitar riffs, intricate solos, and Stanne’s passionate harsh vocals, which remain as compelling as ever. The influence of In Flames is still noticeable in the songwriting and guitar work, yet The Halo Effect manages to infuse these elements with their distinct touch, making it unmistakably their own.

Midway through the record, we encounter “This Curse of Silence,” an instrumental interlude that serves as a prelude to the title track, “March of the Unheard.” While this atmospheric piece could have been better placed at the beginning of the album, it nonetheless sets the stage for what follows. The title track itself is an undeniable highlight, featuring an infectious guitar riff and impressively tight drumming. At just under three minutes, it is a brief but explosive moment of brilliance that leaves the listener wanting more.

Two standout tracks on the album are “Forever Astray” and “Between Directions.” The former, a mid-tempo piece, marks the first instance on the album where we hear Stanne’s clean vocals, adding a fresh dynamic to the sound. Meanwhile, “Between Directions” slows things down significantly and introduces a surprising but effective string arrangement, bringing a new depth to The Halo Effect’s sonic palette.

The album closes with “Coda,” an instrumental track that allows the listener to reflect and take a breath after the relentless energy of the preceding songs. While “March of the Unheard” does not reinvent the genre, it stands as a testament to the band’s mastery of Melodic Death Metal. With its blend of heavy riffs, commanding drum work, dynamic pacing, and a mix of clean and harsh vocals, this album is a strong and worthy addition to The Halo Effect’s growing legacy.

Score: 8 / 10
Release date: 10th of January 2025
Label: Nuclear Blast

Reviewed by: Michael

Tracklist:


01. Conspire To Deceive
02. Detonate
03. Our Channel To The Darkness
04. Cruel Perception
05. What We Become
06. This Curse Of Silence
07. March Of The Unheard
08. Forever Astray
09. Between Directions
10. A Death That Becomes Us
11. The Burning Point
12. Coda

 

Michael

Hi, my name is Michael, I'm from The Netherlands and next to writing here, I love writing about games, nature and art. My love for metal started around the age of sixteen, when the more mainstream bands like Evanescence, Within Temptation and Linkin Park were more of a thing and actually on the radio. Later on, my taste in music broadened and nowadays I listen to a lot of subgenres. From Power Metal like Sonata Arctica, symphonic like Ayreon, Doom like Draconian and more, I don’t think it would be easy to pin-point any specific sub-genre that would be my favorite. Lately my playlist consisted of Epica, Heilung, Katatonia, Dark Tranquillity, Nightwish, Kamelot and more, it all depends on my mood. But I think a lot of us feel the same way. Metal-Exposure for me is a group of same-minded individuals that through music have found a connection which makes us friends.

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