Black Metalists, HALPHAS, have been at their dark craft for a decade now. On Leap Day 2024, the German quintet released their third full length album, “Sermons of the Black Flame,” via the formidable Folter Records. Standing at 43 minutes, the eight track LP completes an unholy trifecta which began with “Dawn of a Crimson Empire” (2017) and continued with “The Infernal Path to Oblivion” (2019).

While HALPHAS remains consistent in their execution—primal, melodic, complex—there has been one change in their lineup since their previous release with Berith (TIMOR ET TREMOR) replacing Legatus on vocals. This might also explain the five-year gap—but then again there was also ‘the year of our plague’ followed but ‘the year the earth stood still’ which had a dampening effect on the productivity of most bands. With that said, sonically and lyrically “Sermons of the Black Flame” doesn’t seem watered down at all. If anything, post-covid HALPHAS sounds even more determined to breach the barrier to the void than ever.    

“Sermons of the Black Flame” is a very even-keeled album. HALPHAS is at that point in their career where they are too good to produce a clunker but also so good that all their compositions stand shoulder to shoulder. With that said my list of standout tracks include the following: “Wolves of the Void,” an Atmospheric and Melodic piece that crests into a satisfying resolve; “At the Diamond Gates,” a stampede of hellspawn spurred on by the relentless tempo of Tempestas (drums) and tremolo riffs of Thurstan and Avnas and capped off by a haunting solo; and the final track, “Into the Fires of the Black Flame,” which encapsulates some of the heaviest moments on the album. I also love that we finally get to hear Forcas on this track! (To be fair, he is everywhere across the album but on this track the separation seems more distinct).

It has been half a decade since we have heard from HALPHAS, but they have lost no momentum or vehemence. With “Sermons of the Black Flame,” HALPHAS sets their banner firmly in the corpse of their enemy and unfurls their profane Black Metal standard. Behold and bask.