🎵 Tracklist:
Track 1: Watch the Midnight Unveil
Track 2: Northern Starfall
Track 3: Of Night and Ice
Track 4: In the Heart of the Storm
Track 5: The Eternal, the Dead, the Arcane
Track 6: To the Moonlight
Track 7: Snow Swarm
🎸 Album Review:
Album Review: ‘Stormheart’ by Old Wainds
Old Wainds, the esteemed black metal band hailing from Russia, has returned with their latest offering, ‘Stormheart’. This seven-track album is a haunting journey through icy landscapes and relentless storms, encapsulating the essence of the band’s signature sound while exploring new depths of darkness and despair.
From the opening track, “Watch the Midnight Unveil,” listeners are immediately transported into the chilling world of Old Wainds. The relentless blast beats, razor-sharp guitar riffs, and tormented vocals create an atmosphere of chaos and desolation. The production on this album is raw and unpolished, perfectly capturing the raw energy and intensity of the band’s performance.
Thematically, ‘Stormheart’ delves into the harsh realities of nature’s fury and the human struggle against overwhelming forces. Tracks like “Of Night and Ice” and “Snow Swarm” paint vivid landscapes of snow-covered forests and howling winds, while “The Eternal, the Dead, the Arcane” delves into the mysteries of ancient rituals and arcane knowledge. The album’s title track, “In the Heart of the Storm,” is a relentless assault of aggression and despair, perfectly encapsulating the tumultuous emotions at the core of Old Wainds’ music.
Standout tracks on ‘Stormheart’ include “Northern Starfall” and “To the Moonlight.” “Northern Starfall” is a mid-paced epic that showcases the band’s ability to create atmospheric tension and release it in a cathartic explosion of sound. The haunting melodies and hypnotic rhythms of this track make it a standout moment on the album, drawing listeners deeper into Old Wainds’ dark and twisted world. “To the Moonlight,” on the other hand, is a more introspective and melancholic track, featuring haunting clean vocals and atmospheric guitar work that add a new dimension to the band’s sound.
In comparison to Old Wainds’ previous albums, ‘Stormheart’ represents a progression in both songwriting and production. While the band’s early works were characterized by raw aggression and lo-fi production, this album showcases a more refined and mature approach to their craft. The songs on ‘Stormheart’ are more dynamic and diverse, with a greater emphasis on atmosphere and melody without sacrificing any of the band’s trademark intensity.
Overall, ‘Stormheart’ is a powerful and immersive listening experience that will captivate fans of black metal and dark ambient music alike. Old Wainds have once again proven themselves to be masters of their craft, delivering an album that is both uncompromisingly brutal and hauntingly beautiful. From the frostbitten landscapes of “Snow Swarm” to the cosmic grandeur of “To the Moonlight,” each track on this album offers a unique glimpse into the twisted minds of these Russian black metal veterans.
In conclusion, ‘Stormheart’ is a triumph for Old Wainds, showcasing their evolution as musicians and their unwavering commitment to darkness and despair. This album is a must-listen for any fan of extreme metal music, offering a harrowing journey through the storm-lashed landscapes of the human soul. Old Wainds have once again proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of black metal, and ‘Stormheart’ stands as a testament to their enduring legacy of darkness and defiance.