THE HALO EFFECT releases music video for new single “March Of The Unheard”

THE HALO EFFECTthe project with five former members of the Swedish metal band ON FLAMES — Jesper Stromblad (Guitar), Daniel Svensson (drums), Peter Iwers (Bass), Niclas Engelin (guitar) and Mikael Stanne (vocals) – will release his second album, “March of the Unheard”on January 10, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records.

After the great success of THE HALO EFFECTis the critically acclaimed debut “Days of the Lost”, “March of the Unheard” delivers a triumphant continuation of the band's signature sound. Packed with infectious melodies and electrifying energy, the new LP promises to exceed fans' expectations.

The official music video for the album's second single, the “March of the Unheard” The title track can be seen below. The visually stunning video matches the song's intensity by combining dark, atmospheric imagery with explosive performance footage, delivering a cinematic experience that complements the band's signature sound.

Angel Comments: “This song is based on the melody theme for the intro to all of our ninety-six shows. I just came up with the idea of ​​starting the whole album with that theme and building a full song around it.” Michael took the entire song to another level with its lyrics that highlight our society’s need to hear the voices of the unheard – the powerless.”

He continues: “We all like melancholic melodies in an uptempo beat and when you add some harmonies to that, you get a beautiful song.” HALO Song. Collaboration with the mighty Gothenburg brass bandGöta Lejon' simply blew us away both in the studio and live… Damn, they're powerful!”

“March of the Unheard” is made available in the following formats:

– CD case
– CD Digi, including three bonus tracks, 24-page booklet, UV spot varnish and parchment paper **
– 1 LP Crystal Clear (retail)
– 1 LP Curacao/Ocean Blue/White Splatter (NB Shop)
– 1 LP Curacao (band shop)
– 1 LP Yellow (Sweden Rock) + 1 bonus track *
– 1 LP light green (Nordics)

All vinyls come with a 24-page booklet, UV spot varnish and parchment paper

“March of the Unheard” Track list:

01. Conspire to deceive
02. Detonate
03. Our channel to 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 suits us
11. The focal point
12. Koda

Bonus tracks:

* “Not broken yet”
** “Path of bitter resistance”
** “The Defiant One”
** “Become Devoted”

Shortly thereafter “March of the Unheard”'s release, THE HALO EFFECT will begin his first-ever headlining tour in Europe. Industrial outfit and label mates PAIN will be special guests on this tour and to round off this great package, Melo Death shooting stars from Finland BLOOD RED HOURGLASS will join as support.

In a recent interview with the Finnish Chaoszine said Stanne on “March Of The Unheard”: “It’s been around for a while. Yeah, I think that's the hardest part for our labels, to fit things in and have enough room to promote it and make sure everyone knows about it.” So we pushed the release back to early next year… But it's really cool , I'm incredibly proud of it. Nicholas And Jesper I've written some incredible songs that convey a whole different level of confidence, I think. Because with the first album we were just like, “Yeah, let’s see what can happen.” It feels like a more confident band. Everyone knows exactly what to do now, that's why the album sounds great.

Stanne was also asked whether Strömbladwho has battled addiction for more than a decade will be there THE HALO EFFECT's lineup when he and his bandmates go back on tour or when THE FILLED'S Patrick Jensen will continue to represent him. Michael said: “Most likely (Jensen will continue to tour with us). Whenever Jesper wants, we want it, so we are always ready. If he is able, he will join us. But it's always up to him. And we always said, “Yes, we’re here.” Jensenwill always be there. If Jesper 'want to play, then we're here.' So that’s kind of the deal we made early on.”

In an interview with A Swedish Fika With asked about the musical direction of the new one THE HALO EFFECT songs, Peter said: “I think it's definitely the same type of music, but of course as an artist you don't want to repeat yourself. But I think what we did with the first one, we just went in and took the ideas and what was written and turned it into songs without thinking about it: “It's going to sound like this or that.” And now know we what it will sound like. But I think we still did it that way. So there is no real change THE HALO EFFECT. It won't be a big change in a different direction. We will continue to try to do what we started.

In August 2024, Peter Australia told “Always Black” Podcast about THE HALO EFFECT“What we did with this one and the last one was basically we just went into the studio with a few ideas.” Nicholas had lots and lots of ideas, some finished songs, and then he invited us, everyone else, into the songwriting process. So we went in not having a clear plan of what it was going to sound like, but obviously it's in the fingers and it's in there Michael's voice. Whatever comes out is what it sounds like now. So the next album is: Of course you always want to evolve, but it's no different; It's definitely the same type of genre. And like I said, we went in and played whatever we wanted. And Nicholas had written one bunch of songs along with Jesperand we went into the studio for this one and just did our thing.”

He continued: “Some bands are often constantly evolving and it's always different from record (to record). But I think we feel more comfortable than before. We had no pressure when we did (the first one). THE HALO EFFECT Album) “Days of the Lost”and we had no pressure (on the follow-up album). But at the same time, after playing we are even stronger together than before. So it's definitely the same kind of music. But it's – I don't know; it's hard to describe.

Also in August 2023, Stanne told Finland's Chaoszine about it THE HALO EFFECT's upcoming LP: “It's finished and it sounds great. But yeah, we were (originally) supposed to do an EP (instead of a full-length album) – we had that plan – but then we realized, “Ah, maybe not.”… So it was – not stressful, but we have done it a lot I think it's been fantastic in a short space of time, just because it's become a much more confident album. It's very focused and you can probably tell – at least from the people I've played it to – that the first time around it was like, “Hey, let's figure out what we want to do,” whereas this is the case something like, 'This is exactly what we want to do.'” He added, “So it's going to be interesting. I can’t wait for people to hear it because I’m incredibly proud of it.”

Asked if the second THE HALO EFFECT Album is a “sequel” to “Days of the Lost”which came out in 2022, Stanne said: “Yes, I think so. I think.” Nicholas And Jesper were more confident in their songwriting where it's like, “Yeah, this is going to work.” And there's some cool experiments on the album too, but some of the songs are just direct, like there's no questions. It's just so simple and so to the point, you know? So it's kind of fun when I get the demo version of a song and start thinking about lyrics and vocals, then it just makes sense. I just know this by heart. It's that simple. That said – it's weird, but it just speaks to me in a way that makes me say, “Okay, I know exactly what I need to do and I can finish it in a few days.” That's how it feels sometimes. You just hear a song and think, “Yeah, I know that.” I know exactly what to do. And it will be great.

In February 2024, THE HALO EFFECT released the official music video for the song “Become Devoted”. The track that was an integral part of THE HALO EFFECT's live shows for some time, will not appear on the band's upcoming second album.

THE HALO EFFECT debuted “Become Devoted”which was recorded at the same time “Days of the Lost”during his Sweden tour in February 2023.

In May 2023, THE HALO EFFECT released a visualizer for the song “Path of bitter resistance”. The title previously released exclusively in Japan “Days of the Lost”has finally been made available to the rest of the world.

“Days of the Lost” entered the official charts in Sweden at number 1 in the summer of 2022. This was believed to be the first time that a debut LP by a metal act topped the charts in its first week of release in Sweden. “Days of the Lost” also landed at number 6 in Germany.

Photo credit: Linda Florin