REVIEW:
This has been a review a few weeks in the making (thanks life! You fucking Bitch!). 

I’m talking about the new album from South East London thrashers Halberd, ‘Chess With the Reaper’. The album very recently came out, and as of this writing, the album release show at The Black Heart in Camden Town (One of the many great areas to visit that surround London), will be happening on July 5th!

This album is raucous, loud, fast, and absolutely ridiculous. This is a great evolution from their previous album “Parasitic Humanity”, which is also fantastic and recommended. Personally I don’t find a bad track on this album. ‘South East Scum (S.E.S.)’ is a very standout track amongst the rest. The second half of the song just goes off the rails with the singer Casey just rambling off random ridiculous stories (you can hear more about that in our live interview we did not long ago with Casey and other members of Halberd here). 

I have nothing but praise for every track on this album. 

The lead single ‘Concussion’ is a raucous and serious track that gets into the stabbings that happen in London and surrounding areas. The harsh vocals are the perfect way to represent a topic like this, all you can do is shout in pure, unadulterated anger, as well as the burning riffs that will puncture your every living breath as you break your neck to this absolute banger.

Most of the other members of VIMH are fresh when it comes to the face-melting riffs and roaring vocals of Halberd. Let’s see what they had to say.

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Al B:
Now, myself being new to Halberd, I will give you my thoughts on the tracks that really stood out to me. And just to start off, I already love the album. It brought me back to the days when you waited in line for hours for tickets, just for the possibility of getting to see your favorite band.

Bitch and Serve, Obey, are pure adrenaline, built for circle pits and breakneck headbanging. Now, when I came across Word of the Worm, the intro was very Druidic and eerie. Then, falling into the march, the song develops into a hair raising twist and turn of pure power. 

The overall vibe from the new album: They have fused elements of thrash, death, and groove metal, Halberd doesn’t just make music—they declare war.

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Jen:
Wow! I actually like Halberd! Definitely an amazing mix of Thrash and Death core. Scream is on point and sounds bad ass. I could see this as a great live energetic show!

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Al’s words are far more elegant than mine, and Jen’s comment about it being an energetic live show isn’t lost on me!

Absolutely a fantastic and energetic live show is always had at a Halberd show. Check them out live wherever you can, but also make sure to attend their album release show!

I’m going to be bold, and give this 4.5/5 beards.

-Furious