The self-titled
Winterlong
is the third release from this group of twenty-something headbangers from Europe. Guitarist/multi-instrumentalist
Lars Thorbjoern Englund
again writes all the tunes and has a hand in the arrangements on the 44-minute-and-24-second onslaught of sound, an 11-song collection that has its pluses and minuses. It appears from
Englund
's own website (www.thorbjornenglund.com) that
presents a somewhat revamped ensemble -- essentially "
Thobbe
" (
) and vocalist
Mikael Holm
generating new sounds with bass supplied by
Erik Tornberg
. The music crunches at a fast pace on a composition like
"Ragnaroek,"
which follows the light and very satisfying instrumental
"A Vision of the Wolf."
This is a small but very musical crew, and if they integrate more of their rather technically proficient sounds with the head-knocking on future releases,
may evolve into an international contender. As complex and riveting as
"Bloodshred"
is, there is only so much
speed metal
one can take in a sitting. When a
ballad
like
"Demise"
follows, it truly shows the unit's strengths. A runaway rocker like
"Oblivion"
has that symphonic guitar style the group
Boston
perfected, only it comes at you at 90 miles per hour with consequences. The assault can be a bit much, and limiting.
"The End of the Longest Winter"
concludes the album, an excellent and moody moment which, at one minute and four seconds, is much too brief. ~ Joe Viglione