“Face of an angel with the Devil’s blood,” the chorus of the album’s first single, kept echoing in my mind even hours after listening to it for the first time. This simple phrase encapsulates the essence of “Panorama,” a resonance that navigates between heaven and hell. HÄLLAS hails from Sweden, and as a relatively young band, they have garnered significant attention for their cinematic lyrics, colorful dress code, and gentle sound. All this caught my attention when I saw them in concert recently, as not every day do you stumble upon a band with a “flower power” vibe, truly a breath of fresh air in a sea of somber-colored t-shirts.
HÄLLAS’ lyrics center on Hällas “the Knight,” a fictional character meant for a religious war, who instead detours to find the Star Rider in another reality. They draw on diverse musical influences and do not even classify themselves as a metal act; while one could say they are progressive metal, they also show influences of hard rock, heavy metal, and even rhythm and blues. Genuinely self-described as Adventure Rock, HÄLLAS’ music is the closest you will get to a funky play of medieval battlefields in the outer-space, or at least their latest album gave me that picture. This quintet just released “Panorama” via Äventyr Records on January 30th, 2026.
When I received the album’s promo audio, I initially thought it was an EP with only 5 songs. Little did I know the band aimed to create a layered soundscape across a few pieces. They accomplished this just right, yet one must walk through “Panorama” with patience. Everything kicks off with “Above the Continuum,” which lasts a very humble 22 minutes. Quite a devil-may-care approach to a first track, if you ask me. “Above the Continuum” opens candidly, with keyboard notes guiding us as voices fade beneath electronic sounds, making me feel as if I were at a DAFT PUNK-type futuristic concert. “Above the Continuum” eventually delivers the typical HÄLLAS prog vibe, moving toward its next magnificent stage. Later, a choir joins the band, raising the intensity until a brief silence. During this pause, a male voice releases a prayer-like speech amidst a melancholic, windy background. As we draw near the end, aggressive drumbeats and dramatic vocals emerge, the tempo accelerates, and the piece blends prog metal with symphonic elements, making the conclusion feel like an opera colliding with a Disney movie. Comparisons aren’t always okay, but to illustrate the elements better, “Above the Continuum” is a mix of NIGHTWISH, an electronic rave, SÓLSTAFIR, and a catchy rock entry from the Eurovision. Yes, it’s really that bizarre, but I guess HÄLLAS simply wanted listeners to feel like they were on a cosmic journey.
The next song, “Face of an Angel,” serves as the album’s friendly face. It is catchy, upbeat, and essentially an earworm, making it an excellent choice as a first single. Compared to the opener, “Face of an Angel” is only 5 minutes long, providing a breather amongst the various aural experiences so far. It showcases a playful chorus and prominent glam-rock-inspired guitar riffs, while preserving the band’s atmospheric essence. Moving on, “The Emissary” begins with stormy sounds, then moves quickly with energetic tempos and sing-along lyrics. If “Face of an Angel” is the pretty face of the album, “The Emissary” is the daring one, marked by Alexandersson’s commanding vocals and bold guitar lines.
So far, each song in “Panorama” feels distinct in personality, as they do not sound similar to one another. Each one varies in rhythm pace but remains connected to its underlying story. While the earlier tracks kept me in a hallucinogenic loop with constant pulsing changes, the next one, “Bestiaus,” brought me a sense of peace. This track is a ballad guided by a sweet piano melody in the background, with Alexandersson’s voice evoking a gloomy scene that suits the winter blues. “Bestiaus” shows that metal bands can produce world-class ballads.
“Panorama” concludes with “At the Summit,” a track that embodies both peace and intensity. True to HÄLLAS style, it opens with atmospheric storm sounds and a slow rhythm, gradually leading into the vocals. This calm introduction prepares the listener for an energetic explosion. Throughout its 6-minute span, “At the Summit” shifts from a rapid prog soundscape to a horror-movie scene with aggressive guitars and somber vocals. The song softly concludes as instruments and voices fade out, returning us to Earth after a voyage through five pieces of adventure and sorrow.
The cover artwork, designed by visual artist Marta Maldonado through Branca Studio, features a minimalist yet eye-catching design with a bluish background, a Gothic-style frame, and a staircase leading to a gate that resembles the entrance to another realm. Given that the album’s title suggested a landscape or similar scene, this unconventional artwork appears deliberately crafted to challenge perceptions associated with the term “panorama.”
HÄLLAS have never sounded as self-confident as they do in this album. Although using only 5 pieces is a risky way to attract new fans, “Panorama” is their most interesting release yet. While previous works employ the psychedelic signature they are known for, this one takes their sonic game to a new level, including longer songs, symphonic touches, melancholic lyrics, and throaty voices that almost reach a screaming level.
If you ask me whether to recommend this album, I say yes and no. Music aficionados seeking adventure will find “Panorama” an exciting prog-metal ride. Those who prefer short songs and traditional prog might find it too experimental. No matter which of those two you are, I would still suggest experiencing this band in concert, because their adventure rock will take you to the moon and back like no one else can. Who knows? Maybe you will find Hällas “the Knight” on the route.
Written by Hector Sanchez
TRACKLIST
1. Above the Continuum
2. Face of an Angel
3. The Emissary
4. Bestiaus
5. At the Summit
LINEUP
Tommy Alexandersson | Bass, lead vocals
Rickard Swahn | Guitar
Marcus Petersson | Guitar
Nicklas Malmqvist | Keyboards
Kasper Eriksson | Drums
LABEL
Äventyr Records
LINKS
