Halphas

Part of the corpse paint-forward second wave of black metal, Germany's Halphas combine epic melodies, caustic riffage, and hopelessly dark atmospherics into a noxious stew of sonic and lyrical punishment. Formed in 2014 around the talents of drummer Tempestas, guitarist Thurstan, bassist Forcas, and vocalist Legatas, the band issued a demo in 2016, which led to the creation of their debut full-length outing, Dawn of a Crimson Empire. The LP, which was issued via Folter Records, arrived in December 2017. ~ James Christopher Monger