By: AvNatten

Posted: Aug 31, 2006

Halo Of Shadows is a fairly new band that was formed early last year and hail from Finland. "Manifesto" is their debut album and already they are being compared to several leading bands including Death, King Diamond, and Symphony X. Yes, the influence of these bands can definitely be heard in Halo Of Shadows music but by no means can they be called a rip off. The band consists of Antti Matilainenon vocals, Teemu Hanninen on guitars and bass, Teemu Anttila provides the keyboards, and drums are added by Jari Huttunen.

The album kicks off with 'Trapped In Infinity' a cool song title and the music itself is on the symphonic metal side but with death metal inspired vocals. 'Whore' is also in the melo-death style, it and the aforementioned 'Trapped In Infinity' have some decent keyboard passages that work with the music without going overboard. 'Buried In Depths' and 'Manifesto' are probably the most chaotic tracks on the album, the musicians are skilled enough to carry the speed and provide some intricate riffing to top it all off. The most interesting tracks on the album for me is 'Drowned In Ashes' which has an atmospheric intro complete with falling rain. When the drums start to kick in the atmosphere swells and erupts in a chugging guitar riff. The black metal inspired vocals have clean backing vocals that add a bit of depth. As the song progresses there is a very melodic breakdown that has a nice prog feeling. The other track being 'Ravenous Heart' which has a catchy mid paced beat with the vocals being spit forth in an equally ravenous growl, the solos that erupt around the 2:25 mark are also very fine. The production quality is good and is provided by Arttu Sarvanne with the mixing being done by Hanninen. All instruments can be heard which lets you hear just how skilled the band members are.

Each track on "Manifesto" is different, which works in their favor since it makes you wonder what direction they will head in next. It may get a bit too much at times though from going to a death metal track to one that's more symphonic black metal inspired and the alternating of prog and classic heavy metal style riffing. Over time as the band progresses and develops their own sound as their influences merge together some excellent tracks should emerge.

Rating: 8/10

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