After four more than solid Power Metal albums, Germany’s Winterstorm have finally attracted the attention of a label worthy of their talents. In their new home at AFM the band are sounding more concise, more mature, more diverse and more focused on their latest offering “Everfrost” than ever before. The band has actually been relatively quiet since their previous album back in 2016 so I feared they were no more, but they’ve used that hiatus wisely and with the introduction of a new second guitarist, and are thankfully back even stronger.
Winterstorm’s take on Symphonic Power Metal is that they deliver it with a hint of Nordic folk in the melodies and approach, which gives their songs a natural uplifting, positive vibe – even if the lyrical content of “Everfrost” does deal with the end of civilization as we know it. Comparison-wise, if pushed maybe Winterstorm have a passing resemblance to label-mates Orden Ogan in approach and delivery, but really Winterstorm do things their own way, so that’s just a guide for the uninitiated.
Musically, heaviness and power are the root of the tracks on this album, intelligently striding forth with dexterity and force, but also grabbing the attention with hook-laden anthemic choruses/vocal lines, delivered in a precise, powerful mid-range that suits the music perfectly (though if the song demands it, vocalist Alexander Schirmer can effortlessly dip into a higher register if needed). There’s an interesting progressive edge to the song arrangements that keep the listener even further entertained and add another dimension to the band’s overall sound. It’s possible that the folkier side to the band has been pushed a little to one side as Winterstorm’s sound continues to evolve, but they were only ever ‘Power Metal with Folk elements’ really, and there’s still plenty within their sound as I said earlier in the feel and make-up of the individual tracks.
The joyous Melodic Power Metal onslaught thankfully thunders throughout “Everfrost”, occasional respite coming by means of a subtle mood change instigated within a specific song rather than feeling the need to shoe-horn in a ballad, so therefore giving the album great continuity and cohesion. There’s a couple of noteworthy guest vocalists too courtesy of Leaves’ Eyes Elina Siirala (on ‘The Phoenix Died’) and a whiff of harsh vocals from ex-Equilibrium man Robse Martin Dahne (on ‘Final Journey’), but other than that, the whole the album is five talented Power Metallers delivering performances that showcase excellently their band’s finest album to date. Welcome back Winterstorm, better than ever.
(8.5/10 Andy Barker)
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