Havok - Imago - Album Review - Progressive Metal from Sweden
Today, we turn our attention to the captivating world of Havok, a promising progressive death metal band hailing from Sweden. In this review, we delve into their powerful latest EP album, "Imago," exploring its character, style, story, potential, and more.
Havok came across my radar about a month ago with their latest release, "Imago," which unleashed their potential, ideas, and understanding of music. As you read this article, I encourage you to immerse yourself in the album and experience its compelling intensity.
Progressive metal holds a special place in my heart, and I've always admired artists who bring originality and innovation to their craft. Havok, although not to be confused with the other Havok, has been making official releases since 2009. Their discography, starting with "Being and Nothingness" in 2009 and "Statues of Sisyphus" in 2013, showcases a band that commands respect. Now, with their new EP, they continue to solidify their status in the genre.
Imago resonated with me on multiple levels. It leaves a lingering taste in your memory and stirs a mysterious vibe within your heart. While I would have loved to hear a few more songs in this particular genre, I am thoroughly satisfied. The standout element for me was the vocalist's attitude, especially when the music takes on a death metal edge. His style, power, technique, and attitude immediately brought to mind Jens Kidman of Meshuggah. This impactful presence is particularly evident in the album's closing track, "The Star of Tabetha Boyajian," which happens to be my personal favorite. Its main guitar riff could start a war!
Instrumentation throughout the album varies, showcasing Havok's ability to seamlessly incorporate tight Meshuggah-esque sections alongside melodic elements. Imago represents a fantastic combination of modern progressive djent, deathcore, death metal, and melodic metal. They excel particularly in their death metal moments, where their heaviness and intensity send chills down your spine. While I don't discredit their melodic side, it's the sheer ferocity that truly captivates.
Technically, "Imago" is a masterpiece. The album's sound possesses exceptional dynamics and depth, enveloping listeners in its mysterious and dark world. This is a crucial aspect of any album, and Havok has executed it flawlessly. My congratulations go out to the musicians, producer, and all those involved in creating this phenomenal record. Havok has proven their potential to surprise the world with their unique understanding of music. Imago marks another significant step forward in their career.
Taking all these elements into account, I am genuinely impressed by Havok. As a die-hard metalhead and progressive metal enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album. "The Star of Tabetha Boyajian," with its monumental riff at 06:20, stands as my personal highlight.
My rating for "Imago" is 8.5/10.
"The Star of Tabetha Boyajian" has earned its place on our TOP METAL SONGS playlist on Spotify. I encourage you to explore the links below to discover more about Havok, follow them on social media, and subscribe to their channels to show your support and stay updated on their upcoming releases.
In conclusion, on behalf of the Metalhead Community Team, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Havok for their exceptional leap forward in their careers with "Imago." We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Thank you for reading.
HAVOK on the WEB
Spotify
Bandcamp
Instagram
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