It’s hard to believe that it’s already been two years since the release of Hallas’ epic 2nd album, Conundrum. 2020 was the first time I was introduced to Hallas, and from the moment I heard “Carry On,” I knew I was hearing yet another new favorite band. Conundrum was a mainstay player and made my top albums list of 2020. Hallas has returned with Isle of Wisdom two years later, the final part of their epic adventure sci-fi space trilogy.
Isle of Wisdom opens “Birth/Into Darkness.” The “Birth” section sounds like the music you would hear as you watch a scrolling description of the storyline on a movie screen. This song sets the tone for the adventure that lies ahead as “Into Darkness” eases in with a groove that is impossible to feel and move your head to.
This is where I am just going to have to stop trying to talk about each song individually. Trying to put these songs to words does them no justice at all. As a whole, Isle of Wisdom is an album that should be experienced from start to finish. There is no point while listening to this album that I felt like there was a weak track or a track that needed to be skipped. Instead, Isle of Wisdom grabbed me, captivated me, and commanded 100% of my attention.
There are very few albums that have left me speechless and unable to pin mere descriptions on. Isle of Wisdom is a bit of everything I love about music. With a unique mix of progressive epic rock and touches of Deep Purple and Iron Maiden thrown in for good measure, Hallas refers to their music as “adventure rock.” Yes, I rolled my eyes also, but one listen, and I swear that it will make sense to you, and you will agree that there is no better way to describe them.
Isle of Wisdom is sci-fi, fantasy, and total escapism. In a time where the world is such a dark, unpleasant place to be, escaping the reality of it all, even if just for an hour, is something that is very welcomed and needed by us all. Hallas has created the perfect soundtrack for a journey away from reality and into a world where guns are replaced by lasers and sabers and heartbreak and war are replaced by a cosmic trip into a realm that exists only in our dreams. Hallas is the gatekeeper to this realm, and Isle of Wisdom is the key. So take hold of the key and brace yourself for an adventure like no other.
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