Album Review: Moon Halo - Trichotomy (2025)
- Stuart Ball
- Apr 27
- 5 min read
Written: 27th April 2025
Known for their compelling brand of melodic progressive rock, Moon Halo is made up of members of Riversea and Mostly Autumn (past and present). Their debut album Chroma (2020) introduced a rich blend of soaring vocals, intricate guitar work, and cinematic keyboards, earning praise for its emotional depth and craftsmanship. They followed with Together Again (2022), expanding their sound with tighter songwriting and broader influences.
The origins of Trichotomy date back almost exactly three years when the first song for the album – Siren Song – was written, just a couple of months after the release of Together Again. It seems fitting that Siren Song became the opener on an album that has been a labour of love since it first saw the light of day. Beginning with reflective piano, the track eases us gently into the world that Moon Halo create. With an introduction building steadily over the first minute and a half, we expect the track to take off and indeed it does. Breezy, summery and upbeat, Moon Halo waste no time in showing us they know how to craft infectious melodies. Marc Atkinson’s voice is as smooth, emotive and compelling as it has ever been. With some mid-song prog influenced keyboards from Iain Jennings and a stirring guitar solo to end the song, Moon Halo meld their influences with ease. A strong opening track that will have you tapping your foot from the first listen.
Bleaker and more urgent from a lyrical standpoint, Empires Burning paints a picture of rising tensions, war and political failure, mourning senseless violence and how close humanity is to irreversible disaster. So with empires burning…wars are by design / It’s one minute to midnight… How do we turn back time? / ‘Cos the problems are mounting … And we’re over the line / It’s one minute to midnight. Beginning with eerie synths and harder-edged guitar chords, Moon Halo explore the darker reaches of their sound while maintaining a haunting, melodic atmosphere. Ending with a groove laden section with a gritty fast-paced guitar solo, Empires Burning sits in exciting contrast to the brighter aura of Siren Song.
Third track Punchline is an examination of regret, vulnerability and self-awareness - the protagonist hiding his pain behind laughter while yearning for sincerity. Where the did all the laughter go? / We don’t seem to talk about / Even when the lights are low / And all the crowd have long departed / Starlight doesn’t shine as bright tonight. Slower paced and more introspective that the two opening songs, it is a wonderful example of the brilliance of the instrumentation that Moon Halo are able to conjure, with both Jennings and guitarist Martin Ledger producing interesting solos. While the songs is no doubt reflective on the protagonist’s failings, there is a feeling of hope that another opportunity for redemption will arise.
Slowing down further still for The Things That I’ve Done, Moon Halo unveil a poignant ballad that feels like a soul-baring plea for forgiveness. Deliberately simpler lyrics are incredibly effective as the band masterfully builds the dynamics over the first three minutes, layering emotion and intensity with graceful, deliberate pacing. A beautiful central section with twin guitars and soul-stirring orchestrations leads us towards a melodic solo that hints at the protagonist becoming overwhelmed by his own feelings. Are You With Me? draws on pop sensibilities, celebrating the unifying power of love between members of humanity. It adds another aspect to the album and is the perfect song for the approaching summer while having a deeper meaning behind the dance like beats. Don’t Go Changing utilises similar melodic embellishments but also skips through shifting rhythms and some slower moments.
For the first few seconds, there is a hint of Deep Purple and The Doors to the keyboards during the introduction of You, Me and Everybody and it sets up the song in a slightly different way to anything we have heard thus far. Another interesting take on the plethora of dilemmas facing humanity, it features a throbbing, irresistible bass line from David Clements that drives the song forward. One of the strengths of Moon Halo is each member’s ability to play just what is needed for the good of the song and while each of them has the opportunity to shine during the track, it is with detailed consideration of what each other is doing. Drummer Alex Cromarty never overshadows the rest of the band, delivering a range of thoughtful and well chosen fills and rhythms.
Worlds Collided starts in more lamenting fashion with lyrics that echo with deep emotion. Once there was a boy who dreamt of going to the stars / For tales on Jupiter and Mars / In flights of fantasy / Once there was a man who stayed inside most of the time / All adventures in his mind / Of when he was a boy. Acoustic guitar then begins and a short motif – which crops up later in the track - brings the Eagles to mind as the track accelerates into another foot-tapping verse. It is one of the most varied tracks on the album and during the course of its six and half minutes, it goes through several multi-faceted sections including a prog inspired keyboard part, a tribal drum pattern, layers of harmonious voices and a Celtic infused guitar solo.
Unfolding over seven and a half minutes, Nobody Is Perfect is another contemplative, laid-back song that begins with Atkinson mainly accompanied just by melancholic piano, highlighting just what a wonderful singer he truly is. In his voice lies a quiet mastery, stirring unspoken feelings with a grace and regularity few can match. Lyrically, Nobody Is Perfect delves in the inevitability of human error and its repercussions despite our own self-awareness. We can’t escape the things we do / We hang around and follow you / The consequences of our actions / And cause another heart to break / But nobody is perfect.
Moon Halo have been sensible in the track listing of Trichotomy. If too many of the slower tracks had been back to back, it would have been easy for the album to have become bogged down. With them punctuated by tracks such as the faster paced Truth – complete with nostalgia inducing glossy synths and fiery guitar solos - this has been avoided. Trichotomy ends with the mid-paced Back To You and the longest song of the album, The Masterplan. The latter of these is the most prog fuelled song to be found here and it makes the most of its eight minute running time. Extended keyboard and guitar solos really give us the chance to enjoy the musicianship on show with Cromarty and Clements providing solid and engaging rhythmic support.
Trichotomy is an album that will resonate with listeners who appreciate touching melodies and reflective lyrics. With intricate progressive rock elements, dynamic tempo changes, and skilful solos, Moon Halo creates an engaging sound. The album's introspective themes of human imperfection, regret, and hope are paired with rich, poignant melodies and expressive vocals. Atkinson’s voice, with its depth and tone, beautifully complements the music, adding heartfelt weight. Fans of well structured compositions, emotional depth and a touch of prog, infused with whispers of more accessible, radio-friendly charm, will find Trichotomy an immersive and rewarding listening experience.
Trichotomy is released on 2nd May 2025
Moon Halo online
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