Halo
Amorphis · 2022
116 min · 22 tracks · progressive metal
A sweeping blend of melodic death metal and progressive elements, infused with Finnish folklore and atmospheric depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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Northwards Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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On the Dark Waters — This track brilliantly showcases Amorphis' ability to weave haunting melodies with aggressive instrumentation, epitomizing their signature sound.
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Halo — The title track stands out with its captivating chorus and lyrical exploration of existential themes, reflecting the band's evolution over the years.
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When the Gods Came — This song encapsulates the album's mythological inspiration, featuring both melodic and heavier sections that underline Amorphis' dynamic range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Amorphis blends melodic death metal with folk elements, showcasing strong craftsmanship but with some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate traditional Finnish instruments, adding an authentic folk texture to the metal foundation.
- The album's lyrical themes are heavily influenced by Finnish mythology, creating a narrative thread that runs through multiple songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in their sound and themes.
- Career context
- Released on February 11, 2022, Halo marks Amorphis' thirteenth studio album, following their acclaimed 2018 release, Queen of Time. By this point in their career, the band solidified their status as pioneers in the melodic death metal genre while continuing to explore intricate soundscapes influenced by Finnish mythology.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Opeth· Insomnium· Swallow the Sun
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Northwards Start here 5:30
- 2 On the Dark Waters 4:47
- 3 The Moon 5:57
- 4 Windmane 4:49
- 5 A New Land 4:36
- 6 When the Gods Came 4:56
- 7 Seven Roads Come Together 5:38
- 8 War 5:24
- 9 Halo 4:40
- 10 The Wolf 4:36
- 11 My Name Is Night 4:43
- 12 The River Song 4:29
Disc 2
- 1 Death of a King 6:42
- 2 Sacrifice 4:07
- 3 Amongst Stars 4:59
- 4 Sky Is Mine 4:37
- 5 Message in the Amber 6:48
- 6 Her Alone 6:54
- 7 The Castaway 5:57
- 8 Grain of Sand 4:59
- 9 Hopeless Days 5:46
- 10 We Accursed 5:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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