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HALCYON WAY
Conquer

Massacre (2014)
Rating: 8/10

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Halcyon Way is the sort of band that could effortlessly fit into any era when it comes to metal. While offering the much needed doses of weight, there is also an element of traditional metal here walking hand in hand with thrashy outbursts, power metal oomph and, dare I say it, even a mid of mid-90s oozing grunge.

Halycon Way are a band that is comfortable with melting styles, with the result at times being a bruising mix of, say, Sebastian Bach’s high melody and chugging menace coupled with more mystical nuances.

For the most part the vocals of Steve Braun are the perfect example of effortless, soaring power metal croons, but he’s also backed by lead guitarist Jon Bodan and bass guitarist Skyler Moore who both deliver a punchy death metal growl. Now for me this doesn’t always work, although there have been a few exceptions where I’ve enjoyed this partnership – one example being the Australian band Temtris – but there’s more to this album than the contrasting vocal injections.

This is certainly progressive metal and a force which has developed since its inception back in 2001, and so with that fusing of deathly weight and traditional metal prowess it makes for an intriguing listen. As one would expect, the leads are wonderfully showcased and the rhythm guitar of Max Eve enables the opus to flow exquisitely, even though much of it is by contemporary design.

Through its variation and complexity Conquer – the follow-up to 2011’s IndoctriNation – exists as a formidable beast, and some of the tracks are staggeringly heavy. For instance, check out the crunching riffage of ‘Conceived In Torment’; the track melts together technical thrash metal with soaring power metal grandiosity. Meanwhile, ‘Home’ expresses a hint of subtlety bringing with it a steady rhythm injected with ascending, soulful vocals and complex experimentation. The album most certainly is built upon the strong guitar chords, but one cannot ignore the weighty input of both Moore and drummer Ernie Topran who drive this metallic beast along almost without effort.

I’ve always liked albums that take me a while to get into suggesting a composition of many layers and Conquer is one of those records which offer up surprise after surprise. ‘Militant’ is a rattling metallic juggernaut which comes spliced with jarring technicality, while ‘The Poisoned Apple’ relies more on glimmering melody. My favourite track of all is the jolting and initially inaccessible ‘King Of Ruin’ though, with its intricate opening and slamming percussion.

Halcyon Way are one hell of a band to categorise, and if I had it my way I’d do away with the gruff vocal sneers, although as it stands it’s clearly something the band feels will give them an edge over the competition, but it also means that Conquer is a somewhat awkward opus mixing melodic death metal and progressive weight. To some, Halcyon Way may be an acquired taste, but nothing beats the feel of late 80s gloss tied in with contemporary sophistication and this album is full of it. Good stuff, so give it time to soak into the pores.

Neil Arnold

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