Nordicwinter - Threnody CD

Dark, atmospheric, simple and intense black metal from VINLAND ! Today, it's not unusual to see some bands labelled as "summer" Black Metal. The banner-bearer of the style would be DRUDKH, a band that added a new bliss to BM with their stunning music, heavy, eternally repeating and original riffs and an atmosphere that sounds much closer to blooming joy than depression (at least with their first two albums). In my opinion, the Ukranians are just the best active Black Metal band, but there are some other great acts performing that new "genre". Two of them are WOODS OF YPRES and WINTER SILENCE. NORDICWINTER would certainly fall into that category. Their Black Metal is not cold or raw at all, and it encloses a melodic, embracing density with well-placed riffs, repetitive, hypnotic drumming and an ethereal voice that seems to melt with the guitars by times. The rhythm is mid-paced to slow, but "Threnody" is a rather heavy album and also very corrosive with its texture. Although they try to emulate the whole "winter" imaginery with their lyrics and aesthetics, in their music you can feel a smooth, warm embrace. The problem with these Canadians is that they don't really dare beyond. They simply repeat a formula and the result is enjoyable at first, but after a few songs you realize that NORDICWINTER are too middle-of-the-road. All songs are not challenging, and if you're reading, studying or writing with "Threnody" as background you won't even note the music... there's not any difference between the quality of the tracks, and although for that reason the album doesn't have bad moments, "Threnody" is just forgettable. Simply as that. 1. Crimson Moon 05:28 2. Enshrined in Ice 03:13 3. Unto Dark Winds 04:48 4. Ancient Prophecies 03:29 5. Echoes of Solitude 04:31 6. A Winter’s Veil 03:53 7. Legions 04:45 8. Of Mist and Shadows 04:02 9. A Blissful Twilight Death 06:53 Spielzeit 41:07 Minuten