Power of Metal.dk Review

Winterfylleth
The Divination of Antiquity
Rating
Style: Black Metal
Release date: 6 October, 2014
Playing time: 67:38
 


Winterfylleth is a band I've heard a lot about, but had not gotten around to actually listening to until this album. My own taste in black metal is in the vein of Enslaved or Agalloch, but I do like deafheaven as well. Winterfylleth has some similarities with Agalloch on "The Divinition of Antiquity" in that they are atmospheric and even have some elements of folk, though not nearly as much as Agalloch.

Winterfylleth is great with melody, which in black metal shows up in guitar riffs. The title track has a riff running through it that holds the song together quite well; it's very memorable. They never try to lose you along the way, but they don't blungeon you to death either. Of course, blast beats are everywhere and drummer Simon Lucas is great at them, but he knows when to dial it down and let the song breathe.

Another favorite track of mine is "A Caveworn Heart." It's one of the songs I'd hear and check to see which track was playing, and it was always this one! It starts with almost chant-like vocals, which yields to an almost “Opethian” wide-open-sounding verse with a nice guitar riff under it. There are also many melodic dual guitar lines throughout the song -- just a great track. "Over The Borderlines" is another standout track with black metal blast beats. It  settles into a solid groove and another sweet guitar line. “Forsaken In Stone” starts with a nice acoustic/electric intro and feels very Agalloch-esque. It is a very epic-sounding track overall, slightly slower at times and doomy, and the chant vocals return.

As a whole, "The Divination of Antiquity" is a hefty, epic album that works best when listened to in one intense hour-plus sitting. Fans of the band will be pleased that they have retained their sound, but hopefully other fans of the genre will discover this very talented band.


Tracklist
01. The Divination of Antiquity
02.
Whisper of the Elements
03.
Warrior Herd
04.
A Careworn Heart
05.
Foundations of Ash
06.
The World Ahead
07.
Over Borderlands
08.
Forsaken in Stone
Label: Candlelight Records
Distribution: Plastic Head Music
Artwork rating: 88/100
Reviewed by: Rob Pociluk
Date: 5 October, 2014
Website: www.winterfylleth.co.uk