A strong, dynamic metalcore debut
On February 17, Hamburg-based metalcore outfit Half Me released their debut LP Soma via Arising Empire Records. Having established themselves already as strong songwriters and performers in the metalcore genre with their four self-released singles (“Livebait” and “Mantis” in 2020, “Snakeoil” and “Exitwound” in 2021) the band hoped to use their first album release as an opportunity to create something more nuanced and dynamic, using the expanded scope of an album as a space to explore the different directions they could take their sound in. With Soma, this exploration resulted in a cutting edge release that deserves the attention of metalcore fans everywhere.
Soma sits at a brisk 35 minutes, spread across twelve tracks. Throughout the album, vocalist Chris Zühlke sings and screams heart-rending lyrics based on mental illness which go hand in hand with the aggressive production and songwriting. The album holds a remarkable level of tension, urgency and dynamism at every moment. Half Me owe part of their power in this record to the genres and groups they have drawn from to craft their sound: the band exhibits influence from fellow metalcore acts like Void of Vision and Northlane, deathcore groups such as Alpha Wolf, 90s nu metal a la Korn and Slipknot and even some modern hardcore. What really makes them stand out, however, is their ability to push their songs in unexpected directions while keeping them exciting and satisfying. In Soma, each track has a distinct feel while also clicking with the rest of the record.
Half Me set the tone for Soma clearly from the first track, “Wraith,” which employs blast beats, too many groovy riffs to count, a crushing breakdown and gripping clean choruses in such a way that keeps the listener on their toes throughout. The next two tracks introduce even more dynamism, as “Trauma Culture” oozes neck-liberating hardcore energy reminiscent of Knocked Loose, and “Distort” breaks up its thunderous metalcore riffing with abrasive synth passages in the style of recent Northlane. “Magma Hour,” the aptly-named fourth song on Soma, has perhaps both the most interesting song-writing on the entire album as well as the catchiest chorus (“One final step into the gates of heeeeeellll”), though it might be challenged in that regard by the closing track, “Half Me,” which absolutely bleeds grief-stricken alt metal melodicism (“A ghost condemned to give in, I feel a part of me is missing”).
Taken as a whole album, Soma is a cohesive listen, balanced expertly between spacious, powerful melodies and brutal dissonant sections, and with plenty of songwriting curveballs that come back as highlights of the album in later listens. Zühlke’s vocal delivery, whether sung or screamed, is always suited to the grueling emotions of the lyrics he has written, and never becomes stale, while Hesse and fellow guitarist Julius Jansen are experts at satisfying yet unpredictable guitar work. Drummer Maximilian Eisersdorff and bassist Tobias Sajons deserve a mention too for their ability to keep the songs as tight and groovy as they are. The band is firing on all cylinders, and their performance allows the music to shine.
Soma is a strong debut from Half Me that exceeds expectations for today’s metalcore scene. It makes for a whirlwind of a first listen, and only becomes more enjoyable when replayed. It is sure to excite even the most jaded of metalcore enjoyers.
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