Haal Å Khul by Soul Decoder: A Raw Punch of Melodic Fury
If you’re into rock with teeth, Haal Å Khul by Czech Republic’s Soul Decoder is gonna grab your soul and shake it hard. Released back in 2018 under the Not On Label banner, this melodic death metal beast doesn’t mess around. It’s heavy as hell but still has those soaring melodies that stick to your brain like gum on a hot day.
Let me tell ya, the album kicks off strong, but two tracks really stood out for me—“Empty Inside” and “Salt In Wounds.” They’re not just songs; they feel like experiences. Like punches to the gut followed by someone handing you a beer afterward.
“Empty Inside” hits different. The opening riff crawls right into your chest and sits there like an uninvited guest who refuses to leave. And man, when the vocals kick in—clean one second, growling the next—it’s like being pulled between worlds. You can almost feel the weight of emptiness pressing down on you. It's haunting but also kinda beautiful? Like staring at storm clouds while listening to thunder crack above.
Then there’s “Salt In Wounds,” which feels like pouring gasoline on anger and lighting it up. This track rips through you without mercy. The guitar work here is wild—shredding solos mixed with slower, grinding parts that make you wanna scream along even if you don’t know all the words. There’s something cathartic about how pissed-off yet melodic it sounds. By the end, I was sweating, yelling nonsense lyrics no one else could understand (probably cuz I made ‘em up).
The other tracks ain’t slouches either—“Fatalism” brings the doom-laden vibes, and “Atonement” feels like redemption wrapped in steel wool. But damn, those two tracks stuck with me like glue. Maybe because they mirror emotions we try to bury deep inside. Or maybe cuz they just plain rip.
What strikes me most about Haal Å Khul is its raw honesty. It doesn’t feel polished or overproduced—it’s gritty, real, and human. Almost like these guys weren’t trying too hard to impress anyone. Just making music straight from their guts. Isn’t that what good art’s supposed to do anyway?
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this album makes me wonder if Soul Decoder knew they were creating something bigger than themselves. Or maybe they didn’t care. Either way, Haal Å Khul isn’t just another rock record—it’s a punchy reminder that sometimes pain and beauty live side by side. Now excuse me while I go blast “Salt In Wounds” again and pretend my neighbors enjoy loud music too.
