Prey
Review Score: 8
Reviewed by: Blake Mossey
The band states ‘Prey’ is all about being a hunter – or from another perspective – the one that is being hunted. You can either be the prey, or be the one that is on the search for their next victim / prey. The album artwork is inspired on a mythological creature from the darkest depths of the ocean “
HALIPHRON hails from the Netherlands. Formed in 2021 featuring former members from bands God Dethroned, Izegrim and Bleeding Gods. Their debut album PREY is out now on Listenable Records.
6 piece Symphonic Metal band featuring the female vocals of Marloes Voskull. On my first few listens I hear a mixture of Arch Enemy (more for the vocals) and Cradle of Filth for the symphonic and extreme metal song structures.
After a instrumental leads things off and kicks in with the thunderous THE KILLING SPREE which is a good lead off track to showcase what is to come. Almost 7 minute opener showing off Marloes extreme growling vocals and the haunting melodies of guitars and keys and thunderous drums/bass to fill it out. Next track MOTHER OF ALL EVIL hits all the extreme symphonic metal moments. One of my fav tracks on this album. This track really gives you that COF feel. Many tempo changes from ominous and slow, to the fast and aggressive death style. Slows down to a lot of soft spoken breaks then just rips back into the metal mayhem. Keyboards really add to the atmospheric feel throughout. You feel the wide range of emotions in their song structures and they don’t stick to a simple song structure which keeps it interesting. THE RESISTANCE is another stand out cut for me with heavy symphonic opening and little slower then most of the album, but still keeping the heaviness and some great heavy riffing midway through the song. Also lots of progressive moments with many songs almost hitting the 7 minute mark like awesome closer UNIDENTIFIED MASS.
Probably goes without saying but the lyrics are dark and delve into loss and suffering. So in summary if your a fan of symphonic, extreme melodic death metal you will love this debut from Haliphron.
- Marloes Voskuil – Vocals
- Ramon Ploeg – Guitars
- Jessica Otten – Bass
- Jeroen Wechgelaer – Guitars
- David Gutierrez Rojas – Keys & Choirs
- Frank Schilperoort – Drums