Swedish metal powerhouse THE HALO EFFECT return with their electrifying new single – a blistering take on WASP‘s 1984 anthem “I Wanna Be Somebody.” The track, handpicked by guitar hero Jesper Strömblad, marks the band’s third cover version and continues their celebration of iconic heavy metal influences.
Alongside the single, the band proudly announce that these reinterpretations will culminate in a brand-new EP, “We Are Shadows,” set for release on November 21. The new single is accompanied by a striking visualizer, further amplifying the raw energy of the track.
Jesper Strömblad reflects on the choice of song: “WASP’s aggressive sound and eccentric stage presence have always been fun. The shock of songs like ‘I Fuck Like a Beast’ and fun anthems like ‘I Wanna Be Somebody,’ and ‘L.O.V.E. Machine’ are powerful and heavy. Extreme and dramatic, controversial and fun, WASP’s ‘I Wanna Be Somebody’, off their debut album, was my first introduction into the band”
With “I Wanna Be Somebody,” THE HALO EFFECT once again channel their roots while shaping their own sonic path—setting the stage for “We Are Shadows” this fall.
Pre-order the EP “We Are Shadows”: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/waslp
The EP will be released digitally and on a limited vinyl version.
The track list is as follows:
1. How The Gods Kill
2. If You Were Here
3. I Wanna Be Somebody
4. Dance With The Devil
5. Shoreline
THE HALO EFFECT will join German metal outfit HEAVEN SHALL BURN, along with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and FROZEN SOUL, on tour early next year. Check out the dates
- 27.02.2026 DE Hamburg – Inselpark Arena
- 28.02.2026 DE Köln – Palladium
- 01.03.2026 NL Tilburg – Poppodium 013
- 03.03.2026 FR Villeurbanne – Le Transbordeur
- 04.03.2026 FR Paris – Élysée Montmartre
- 05.03.2026 BE Bruxelles – Ancienne Belgique
- 06.03.2026 DE Stuttgart – Porsche-Arena
- 07.03.2026 DE Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
- 08.03.2026 CH Zürich – Halle 622
- 10.03.2026 IT Trezzo sull’Adda – Live Club
- 11.03.2026 LU Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal Main Hall
- 13.03.2026 DE Berlin – Columbiahalle
- 14.03.2026 DE Jena – Sparkassen-Arena
- 15.03.2026 CZ Brno – Sono Centrum
- 17.03.2026 HU Budapest – Barba Negra Csepel
- 18.03.2026 PL Kraków – Klub Studio
- 19.03.2026 AT Vienna – Gasometer Raiffeisen Halle
- 20.03.2026 DE Dresden – Messe Halle 1
- 21.03.2026 DE München – Zenith
THE HALO EFFECT is:
Niclas Engelin | guitar
Jesper Strömblad | guitar
Mikael Stanne | vocals
Peter Iwers | bass
Daniel Svensson | drums
