With two albums, an EP and demo already out this New Zealand act has been picked by Osmose for this EP of incendiary blackened malice that begins with ‘Mass Graves’. Capturing the essence of old school blackness the guitar sound is scathingly effective as the riffs are hurled from the opener with acidic glee impaling the listener with a frenetic assault. Slightly calmer, though no less caustic, ‘Cold War’ continues with a melodic riff stature that is punctuated with sporadic speed incursions that aren’t quite blasted but pretty close.

Slowing down, ‘What We Leave Behind’ has a gentle fade in with ominous guitar work before a gelid riff ensues with a slight double kick influx. There is a Marduk like feel to the structuring as the song gradually strengthens and accelerates towards the blasting forays. With an inauspicious beginning ‘Architects Of Extinction’ has a rumbling slow opening before an explosion of riffing shards pierce the mix with a maniacal glint, but like the other tracks this one is tempered with slower excerpts that enhance the power as an anarchic disposition is felt when the song hits the blast phases.

Closing this EP is ‘Within The Remnants Of Humanity’ where the pace opens with a dirge like slowness and high end lead break. The quick installation of speed rockets the song to a pandemonium like style where the riffing adopts a black thrash poise that enables the song to become far more intense. Like the other songs the veering tempo changes are executed abruptly but effectively producing an urgency and impetus that leaves you breathless.

Winter Deluge may not offer anything that could be considered novel but what they have recorded is an EP that delivers everything you could desire from black metal where scything riffs are hooked into enraged vocals and a glacial annihilation.

(8.5/10 Martin Harris)

https://www.facebook.com/WINTERDELUGE

https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/degradation-renewal