Album Review: Half Me – Soma (Arising Empire)

German metal quintet Half Me will release their debut album ‘Soma’ on the 17th of February 2023 via Arising Empire.

There’s a lot of great, modern metal bands coming out of Germany these days and Half Me join the ranks aiming to make an impact on the wider world. Something that is infinitely possible thanks to the hyperactive blast of heaviness that is this debut album. Twelve tracks, twelve bangers, and twelve reasons to pay attention to Half Me.

Strong elements of metalcore, post-hardcore, and crossover alternative metal make up the sound of Soma. Sometimes an extremely abrasive experience, almost always bruising, and completely thrilling from the beginning to the end. The intensity of opener Wraith, with its impressive anthemic chorus, is the bar-setter but just one piece of this impressive puzzle.

What follows happens to slot into place perfectly; Trauma Culture’s coarse instrumentation and body-twitching electronica, Distort’s ear-blasting and eye-watering aggression, and Magma Hour’s manic groove. The first third of this record is Half Me showcasing just how strong their sound is. Capable songwriters, turning heavy speed into accessible anthems, and exposing the nerve-endings through their rougher edge.

Their also not afraid to experiment a little too as Ex Negativo (feat. Marcus Lundqvist of thrown) sees the group really push themselves to the limits when it comes to blending viciousness and melody. This here is the track of the album, and the latter portion breakdown is devastating.

Zenit then offers a ‘take a breath’ moment, being 42 seconds of dystopian sounding electronica. Before the pairing of Proxy and Outbreak offer up varied and smooth contrasts and transitions through frenzied metal heaviness, uncanny ambience, and fascinating effects. Two of the more ‘out there’ offerings that show Half Me aren’t a ‘one-note’ band.

Something that continues heavily into the latter third of the album with the heart racing and spine-tingling Blacklight. A track with some of the most intense vocals on the album, regardless of style. Although, with I Am but A Guest in Exile, Half Me certainly don’t scale anything back. While the mind might have adjusted to their coarse approach, the band are still capable of making the mind feel like it’s being rubbed down with sandpaper.

Finally, it’s self-titled track to break a few more bones before Half Me step back from the beating temporarily. Although, at first, they offer up a short and touching piece of melodious atmosphere with Mitternacht. This track’s prettiness is the perfect accompaniment to the explosive epic that closes the album out.

Soma is how you get attention. Soma is how you make people notice you. What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in brilliance. Soma isn’t going to change the world but it might very well make it spin that little bit faster.

Half Me – Soma Track Listing:

1. Wraith
2. Trauma Culture
3. Distort
4. Magma Hour
5. Ex Negativo
6. Zenit
7. Proxy
8. Outbreak
9. Blacklight
10. I Am But A Guest In Exile
11. Mitternacht
12. Half Me

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