Human history is a chronicle of the eternal struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, justice and injustice, the sun and the moon. This confrontation, since ancient times, has served as symbols to delineate the opposing forces inherent in our world and our inner consciousness. Simon Talbot, a musician, songwriter, and frontman of the band H A L O, inspired by these unusual stories, brings them to life in the album “Darkness & Light.”

The realization of this complex idea began in 2016. Despite numerous pauses and stops, the team, consisting of Simon Talbot (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Christian Merrick (bass guitar), Steve Francis (drums, percussion), and Antoine Hussenot (lead guitar), successfully completed “Darkness & Light,” which will officially be released on June 22. All songs were written by Simon Talbot and recorded from January 2017 to March 2024 at Halo Studios and Rogue Studios.

Each of the 14 tracks on the album carries the unique soul of its creators, expressing the multifaceted nature of their views and feelings. “Darkness & Light” combines elements of rather dark rock with heavy guitar riffs, vibrant drum parts, and lyrical texts, complemented by the gentle sound of keyboards.

H A L O has always been known for its thoughtful approach to music, choosing as its themes the eternal questions, mysteries of history, and secrets of the human soul. Their work is imbued with a desire to create music that carries a message to the world. I particularly appreciate that each album contains a rich layer of meanings, prompting reflection on aspects of life that often go unnoticed. This is why H A L O’s music borders on the dark mysteries of life, struggle, and opens new worlds where every sound and every word is filled with deep meaning. The darkness, often inherent in their tracks, serves as a means to achieve aesthetic richness and metaphorical expressiveness. This is exactly how “Darkness & Light” sounds, which I had the opportunity to listen to before its release, and I have something to say about it.

What is immediately felt is the masterfully created, signature sound of H A L O, audible from the first measures of the track “Requiem.” The musicians immediately paint a picture of a dark world with a tense intro and monologue. The polished sound of the guitar, clean chords, and Simon Talbot’s unique vocals – all this is what we like about the band’s sound. Always minor, always distinctly familiar, yet always a ray of light illuminates the dark world. You will be able to feel this when you hear tracks like “Music from an Unsound Mind” and “The Things You Wanna See.” I am completely enchanted by the complex harmonies, unexpected textures, and the multifaceted sound. H A L O are masters of sensing the mysterious atmosphere, and with the help of hard riffs, new harmonies, and a slightly swaying sound, the musicians create an occasionally unsettling sensation.

“Surrounded” epitomizes a struggle, balancing between the urge to break free and a languishing desire to linger in the shadows. The impeccable guitar solo, a rocking atmosphere, the deep sound of the bass guitar, and Talbot’s vocals, acting as a conduit, highlight the album’s duality. The battle between light and darkness intensifies midway through the album and bursts into consciousness with the track “You Always Wanted More.” But once again, light keys and vocals defuse the tense atmosphere.

It is essential to mention the track “All You Ever Say.” The light duet between Simon Talbot and JJ Lovegrove, serving as a diversion from the ongoing intensity, sounds effortless and assuring. I am immensely fond of the atmosphere in this track, it feels like a corner of tenderness, where no trouble can reach. Here, Simon Talbot’s voice takes on a new sound and shade, indicating that the musician masters various styles of performance. I appreciate how the atmosphere once again plunges into the deep paths of the heavy low sound in “When the Sun Hits the Moon.” The vocals echo, the guitars touch the lowest tones, and only the light keys shine like a beacon of hope. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes dark, almost gothic tones in music.

The new album by H A L O, “Darkness & Light,” marks a new era in the band’s style, featuring a heavier sound than their previous works. The band is currently in intense rehearsals, preparing for their album launch event, which will take place at the impressive Temple of Art and Music in Elephant & Castle on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

H A L O is making a compelling comeback with this release, adding another meaningful and conceptually rich album to their discography. It’s definitely worth a listen!

Find more information on https://www.halo-band-london.com/