HALIPHRON
Anatomy Of Darkness

2024’s Bloodstock appearance was my first encounter with this fine Dutch-based band. A massive set impressed greatly on the day, and it was definitely one to get hold off to review. The excitement for this release was high, and thankfully, it’s lived up to the anticipation in every aspect.

Symphonic death metal may not be a genre that the purists of the two separate streams approve, but there’s something in the combination of soaring orchestral segments and lush keys (on this release provided by David Gutierrez Rojas) with ferocious guttural roars and pulsating riffs which enhances the brutality and provides a contrast to some of the more traditional bands.

Central to HALIPHRON is the vocal delivery of Marloes Voskuil, who stunned me with her range on the Sophie Lancaster stage in the summer. Whilst there is a burgeoning number of female singers who are providing this type of rasping rage, there are few who can sing with such blistering power. Voskuil can bring a sheen of pure evil to songs like “Feasting On Flesh” and “Black Star”. It’s more than just a snarling finish, there is a brooding malevolence that lurks deep within, and which can chill deep to the bone.

Keeping songs shorter, utilising guitar-based riffing and focusing on an intensity that draws the listener deep into each song, HALIPHRON’s combined performance makes “Anatomy Of Darkness” compelling. From the atmospheric “Opus Addicere” which introduces the album, the sinister “Buried Truth” with the soaring symphonic style enhanced by the keys and a mix of soaring operatic singing and demonic growling, through to the epic finale of the title track, you’ll be drawn into an album that draws on a central theme of people’s addictions. “Anatomy Of Darkness” examines serial killing, gambling, painkillers, self-mutilation and arson. The band ask the question: “how does one confront and manage their inner darkness?”

A brave and challenging concept but HALIPHRON deal with the subjects by weaving the subject matter into a highly entertaining 38-minutes which rips by. The lacerating guitar work of Ramon Ploeg and Jeroen Wechgelaer is underpinned by the sterling drumming of Paul Beltman and the thunderous bass of Jessica Otten. The tempo is relentless, yet the vocal diversity keeps the interest high, the variation from grunts through to clean singing ensuring every song contains surprises.

The striking cover artwork by Dimitris Tzortzis of Immensa Artis, Greece works well and engages the listener even before the first power thrusts have begun. A hooded figure standing in a wheat field, symbolising the personal battles we all face with our inner darkness.

And in a hugely brave and innovative move, the band’s final movement is the crushingly impressive six-and-a-half-minute instrumental title track which closes the album. It’s an epic piece of work, with some Eastern flourishes adding even more flavour. With a crisp yet not over polished production, thanks to the mixing and mastering genius of Andy Classen (Belphegor, Rotting Christ, Legion Of The Damned, etc.), “Anatomy Of Darkness” delivered everything I wanted and so much more.

Paul Hutchings