HALIPHRON hailing from The Netherlands were formed in 2021. The symphonic Black/Death Metal outfit release their sophomore album “Anatomy Of Darkness”, which has been mixed and mastered by Andy Classen (BELPHEGOR; HOLY MOSES; KRISIUN) at Stage One Studio. It has a length of about 48 minutes. The album was released via French Black, Death, and Thrash Metal specialists Listenable Records. The album starts with the short and grim intro “Opus Addicere”, transitioning into “Silent Escape”. The track has a powerful and epic start with the orchestrations and the guitar riffing. The track switches then to an aggressive fast part led by the relentless double-bass drumming and the flesh-ripping guitar riffs. The vocals are growls, and they vary between the medium and higher end of the guttural range. The orchestrations are not overly prominent as the track is very much driven by the guitars, drums, and the vocals. The tempo is changing throughout the track and includes fast and mid-tempo parts. The break leads into a contributing lead guitar solo, which has a few oriental vibes. “Silent Escape” is the official video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Feasting On Flesh” starts with thunderous riffing, the strings, and the double-bass thunderstorm. It is a fast song, with the vocals mainly utilizing higher pitched growls. The orchestral arrangements are driven by the strings, and they are, despite being more in the background, acting as a counter point for the majority of the track. The break delivers once again a very contributing and extended lead guitar solo. “Feasting On Flesh” is one of the album highlights.

“Black Star” develops, after a pacey start, into a head-banger at mid-tempo. The riffing is tight and aggressive and so are the growls. The orchestrations are prominent and driven by the strings and the brass. The vocals are versatile and utilize higher as well as deeper growls, and they drive the track forward. “Buried Truth” starts with a short cinematic intro, leading into a track at a measured tempo. Besides the tight guitar riffing and the strings, the permanent double-bass attack is the most prominent feature of the track. The melodic framework is spine-chilling, and it is intensified by the orchestrations. The vocals have clean female vocal support throughout the track with the highlight being both vocalists performing together. “Buried Truth” has some complexity in the song structure however, the riffing and the melodies also deliver a certain catchiness, and the track is one of the best album songs. “Double Or Nothing” has a fast and aggressive start, and from then onwards, the track switches between fast pace and mid-tempo. It is again a very aggressive track thanks to the vocals and the guitar riffs. The orchestral arrangements are notable but not too prominent, yet the strings give the track an extra dimension. The break offers a bit more complexity at a measured tempo, with the piano and the female vocals joining in alongside the double-bass drumming.  

“Epitome Of Perfection” starts with the drums and crunching basslines leading into a mixture of fast verse parts and mid-tempo chorus parts. The riffing is crushing, and the vocals offer a variety of deeper and higher aggressive growls. The orchestral arrangements are pre-dominantly the strings and they are prominent at times, but mostly operate in the background and give the track the melodic backbone. “Art Of The Blade” is a mid-tempo track with tight and punishing riffs accompanied by the strings. Both together deliver a freezing atmosphere. The orchestral arrangements get more prominent during the middle part of the track. “Art Of The Blade” is one of the more complex tracks and I got lost occasionally a bit during listening. The album finishes with the title track, and it offers a tension-building start provided by the guitars leading into thunderous riffing with orientally inspired melodies at mid-tempo. The orchestrations contribute very well to the dark melodic framework of the track. Most of the title track is an instrumental with a few spoken words delivered during the middle part. It is with more than six minutes, one of the longest album tracks.

HALIPHRON release a very good second album. “Anatomy Of Darkness” is a well-composed symphonic Death Metal album with Black Metal twists. The album is a crushing and aggressive delivery, led by punishing guitar riffing, relentless double-bass drumming, and versatile growls. It is a dark album, and darkness is intensified by the orchestral arrangements that give the album an extra layer. The album is well produced. “Anatomy Of Darkness” will establish the very own style of HALIPHRON further and will also help them to become a serious force on the symphonic Death and Black Metal market.