Review: Hallatar — No Stars Upon the Bridge (2017)
A profound, monumental, and melancholic work at the intersection of death-doom metal, born as a tribute to the memory of the late poet Aleah Stanbridge
The story behind the formation of Hallatar can truly be called sad and tragic, as the reason for its founding was death.
In 2016, Aleah Stanbridge passed away—the vocalist of the doom metal band Trees of Eternity, which she had founded together with her partner Juha Raivio, the leader of the renowned Finnish metal band Swallow the Sun. After her death, she left behind her poetry, demo recordings featuring her voice, unfinished material for the Trees of Eternity album, and Juha Raivio's broken heart. His first step was to release their joint band's debut record.
Juha wrote that time had forever frozen in Aleah's music and poetry, and they were more alive than ever, vowing to keep her flame burning.
However, he did not stop there and continued to write songs on his own, without Aleah. This is how the material that ultimately served as the foundation for Hallatar was born. The memorial work of this band was built upon poems, lyrics, and several demo recordings by Aleah.
In 2016, Aleah Stanbridge passed away—the vocalist of the doom metal band Trees of Eternity, which she had founded together with her partner Juha Raivio, the leader of the renowned Finnish metal band Swallow the Sun. After her death, she left behind her poetry, demo recordings featuring her voice, unfinished material for the Trees of Eternity album, and Juha Raivio's broken heart. His first step was to release their joint band's debut record.
Juha wrote that time had forever frozen in Aleah's music and poetry, and they were more alive than ever, vowing to keep her flame burning.
However, he did not stop there and continued to write songs on his own, without Aleah. This is how the material that ultimately served as the foundation for Hallatar was born. The memorial work of this band was built upon poems, lyrics, and several demo recordings by Aleah.
The lineup also included Amorphis vocalist Tomi Joutsen, former HIM drummer Gas Lipstick, while additional female vocal parts were performed by Heike Langhans, the vocalist of Draconian. Jaani Peuhu also joined the team of musicians, handling the arrangements for all the songs on the album. According to Juha himself, the material for the debut album was written in just one week, in a single burst of inspiration, and he made a vow to himself not to change a single note afterwards, leaving everything in its original form.
The name Hallatar, according to Juha Raivio, is an old poetic Finnish word that can be translated as “Queen of Frost”; for him, it also served as an equivalent to the word “death”.
In 2017, the album No Stars Upon the Bridge was released. The title also became symbolic, as Aleah's name was sometimes written as “Aleah Starbridge” (“star” + “bridge”). Essentially, the album title can be translated as “The stars above the bridge have gone out.” The entire album is a collection of stirring and sometimes terrifyingly realistic depictions of hopeless sorrow, blind despair, and powerless rage, all within a mournful atmosphere. At the same time, the refined guitar melodies harmoniously complement the heavy and oppressive riffs, steady drums, and the ethereal veil of keyboards, “cathedral-like” passages, and tolling bells. Tomi Joutsen's voice ranges from powerful, vicious growling and harsh screaming to expressive, almost agonizing recitative and poetic clean vocals.
Juha later wrote about the album, acknowledging that this music and these albums were not for everyone, as it was far easier to look away than to meet eyes that mirrored pain. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who understood the music and the lyrics, took them to heart, and discovered their true meaning. He also recalled Aleah's words, which always urged one to look darkness straight in the eyes and dive fearlessly into the abyss.
One of the most stirring tracks is “Dreams Burn Down,” in which Aleah's voice can be heard.
The name Hallatar, according to Juha Raivio, is an old poetic Finnish word that can be translated as “Queen of Frost”; for him, it also served as an equivalent to the word “death”.
In 2017, the album No Stars Upon the Bridge was released. The title also became symbolic, as Aleah's name was sometimes written as “Aleah Starbridge” (“star” + “bridge”). Essentially, the album title can be translated as “The stars above the bridge have gone out.” The entire album is a collection of stirring and sometimes terrifyingly realistic depictions of hopeless sorrow, blind despair, and powerless rage, all within a mournful atmosphere. At the same time, the refined guitar melodies harmoniously complement the heavy and oppressive riffs, steady drums, and the ethereal veil of keyboards, “cathedral-like” passages, and tolling bells. Tomi Joutsen's voice ranges from powerful, vicious growling and harsh screaming to expressive, almost agonizing recitative and poetic clean vocals.
Juha later wrote about the album, acknowledging that this music and these albums were not for everyone, as it was far easier to look away than to meet eyes that mirrored pain. He expressed deep gratitude to everyone who understood the music and the lyrics, took them to heart, and discovered their true meaning. He also recalled Aleah's words, which always urged one to look darkness straight in the eyes and dive fearlessly into the abyss.
One of the most stirring tracks is “Dreams Burn Down,” in which Aleah's voice can be heard.
Rating: 10/10
- Tuuli TalvinenFounder & Editor-in-ChiefInterviewer