Emerging Artist Reviews

Album Review: A Million Little Fires - "Violent Halos"

by The Metalverse

Updated October 13, 2025

A Million Little Fires: "Violent Halos" Album Review | The Metalverse.net

Los Angeles rock act, A Million Little Fires, just released their newest album, Violent Halos, on October 10th.

The first track Make Them Listen starts with a distant echoing scream and hard-hitting classic heavy metal riffage, as booming drums introduce vocal screams and bouncing synth melodies. In a dynamic shift of energy, A Million Little Fires changes into a chorus with melodic singing vocals, which contrasts with heavier screaming verses excellently. In a unique bridge, Make Them Listen emphasizes electronic elements, taking a more EDM-influenced approach before introducing soft singing and an ambient soundscape before finishing off with the full band joining the fray again.

w.r.a.t.h. starts with faster pacing as rapid guitar tremolos and galloping drums create a thrashing tempo. In a sudden change, A Million Little Fires changes from aggressive vocals to a singing chorus that highlights occasional screams. Showcasing a modern metalcore sound with alternating heavy and melodic, pop-influenced elements, w.r.a.t.h balances metal destruction and infectious hooks while continuing electronic elements from the previous track.

K(no)w starts with building drums, distant lofi guitar, and soft singing, before kicking in fully with soaring vocals and high-octane instrumentals. Introducing even more dubstep influences, an aggressive pulsing synth creates a distinct sound behind the harsher hard rock instrumentals, blending multiple genres into a cohesive elctronic-rock sound. A breakdown with guitar chugs and hard-hitting synths really showcases the successful integration of EDM with heavier music genres, creating a memorable sound.

Next is sit still & wait, which launches right into fierce screams and slamming riffs before jumping into a singing chorus with raving dance synths piercing through the mix. Crushing verses alternate between lofi singing and full-force screams, creating an intensely heavy sound that stands out drastically from catchier sections, forming a striking balance of contrast.

Drown in her HEART bursts into action with melodic instrumentals and a softer sound as gentle synth keys fill in the background. Heavy guitars play catchy chord progressions as emotional vocals and electronic elements create a chorus that is both intense and anthemic. An ambient bridge builds back into action with pads, growing singing, and trap beats leading into a crushing breakdown before ending with a final chorus.

BROKEN pieces introduces classical elements as gentle piano plays melancholy chords while singing and electronic beats build a harmonic and slower-paced soundscape. A Million Little Fires takes a ballad songwriting style, focusing on lyrical delivery and building powerfully intricate atmospheres before launching into full band action as guitar leads join the mix. A Million Little Fires does an excellent job of using juxtaposition between sections that focus on piano and electronic melodies and harder-hitting sections when guitar and grooving drum beats are introduced, creating a more traditional rock/metal sound.

Track 7, Falling Back, brings back a heavier sound with chunky metal riffs that transform into screams and speeding blast beats before leading into a powerful singing chorus. After a brief electronic build-up, Falling Back jumps into a crushing breakdown filled with growls, down-tuned guitar destruction, and impactful drums before a final dynamic chorus.

cinema begins with lofi spoken vocals before introducing a choppy guitar riff filled with dramatic silences that creates a progressive and heavy sound. The atmosphere soon thins out as drum beats, gentle vocals, and distant pads are left alone, creating an almost gothic-reminiscent sound. In a huge shift, A Million Little Fires launches into a high-energy chorus filled with thumping bass, belting vocals, and bright keys.

Bury all my Sins starts with a heavy riff as screams are introduced alongside slamming drum grooves before launching into a singing metalcore chorus. A Million Little Fires builds anticipation excellently with a pre-chorus that features a dramatic pause before leading into the song's powerful chorus.

The final song of the album, Find Our Someday starts with an ambient, clean guitar intro that is soon joined by industrial drum beats and soft singing. The slower atmosphere lasts for about 1 minute before suddenly introducing full drums, faster pacing, and electric guitars. At just under 7 minutes, Find Our Someday is the longest track of the LP and fits in more influences into its runtime. Trap beats are introduced alongside singing and electronic atmospheres, creating a heavy contrast between full band sections that have a more upbeat sound. The song gets progressively heavier as it continues, growing into more metal influences later in the track before fading out with a trap beat.

Overall, A Million Little Fires has an impressive sound that is modern and incredibly well-produced. Taking a modern metalcore sound and building into other genres like EDM, classical music, extreme metal, pop, and more, A Million Little Fires delivers a refined and well-thought out sound.

You can stream Violent Halos out everywhere now: