Reflections
Of The I
[The End Records]
"Reflections of the I," the first full-length release by the Norwegian band Winds, is indeed a unique sounding musical endeavor, one that may not necessarily appeal to fans of black metal but nonetheless bears many similarities to that genre. It is almost bizarre in its combination of technical mid-range guitar, scathing percussion, clean vocals, piano, and authentic string section, and is more frequently melodic and introspective than it is brutal or angry. But those fans of extreme music who are also fond of lighter styles, or simply anyone with an open mind, may find the music of Winds to be enjoyable and refreshing.
Winds features several musicians from other Norwegian bands, metal and otherwise. Probably the most well known member of the group is Jan Axel von Blomberg, also known as Hellhammer. Displaying a wider range of drumming than fans of Mayhem or Arcturus might have thought possible of him, von Blomberg is at times passive and passionate, and at other times heavy and vicious. Vocals and bass guitar are both covered by Lars Eric Si, whose voice is clear and nasal, but fitting to the scope of the music. Carl August Tidemann covers guitars, and Andy Winter piano and other keys.
In addition to the four "metal" musicians comprising Winds, "Reflections of the I" features a string quartet (violin, viola, cello, and bass viol), and additional deeper vocals provided by Drajevolitch. The presence of such a string section gives the album a strong chamber music feel at many times. "Reflections of the I" is often heavy, and at times resembles Arcturus or some other melodic black metal bands in this regard. But for the most part, the album comes across as being more a product of intellect or philosophy, than the zeal or aggression of black metal. There are no harsh vocals. No track is solely fast in tempo or unrelenting in sound. That is not to say that Winds is never brutal; "Passion's Quest" is one song that features the hyper fast percussion Hellhammer is most known for, and extreme guitar to match. But those expecting a constant onslaught of brutality will be disappointed.
The avant-garde nature of this music is not to be enjoyed by everyone. The passive nature of "Reflections of the I" may turn off those who prefer their music to be fast and furious. Conversely, fans of classical music or lighter rock may find parts of this album to be too heavy. But music lovers who enjoy both sides of the spectrum will most likely enjoy "Reflections of the I." Lars Eric Si's voice is on the nasal side and is even a little whiney at times, a characteristic that some people may not be able to stand. And despite the variety of musicians on this album, many songs sound alike. Sonically and emotionally, "Reflections of the I" ends at about the same place it began, another aspect of the music to be interpreted according to the individual tastes of the listener.
The End Records' CD release of "Reflections of the I" also includes "Of Entity and Mind," Winds' 2001 MCD debut. These five songs follow the eleven tracks of the album proper, and sound like the rest of Winds' music, minus the string quartet but with far better bass guitar (played by Paul S.). Given that both "Of Entity and Mind" and "Reflections of the I" are conceptual, and that the latter is something of a sequel or follow-up to the former, it is somewhat disconcerting to have the earlier release come after the newer album on the CD.
It seems that more and more bands are experimenting within the field of extreme metal, injecting life into genres deemed dead by naysayers and showing that the musics of death and black metal are far from being fully explored. Winds' "Reflections of the I" cannot honestly be referred to as black metal, but there is enough similarity to be considered a spin off or branching out from that genre into uncharted musical waters. If the band continues with the same line-up, their next album (due to be completed by the autumn of 2003, as of this review) is bound to be even better. Anyone enjoying eclectic music, or simply looking for something new, should consider picking up Winds' "Reflections of the I."
[The End Records]
"Reflections of the I," the first full-length release by the Norwegian band Winds, is indeed a unique sounding musical endeavor, one that may not necessarily appeal to fans of black metal but nonetheless bears many similarities to that genre. It is almost bizarre in its combination of technical mid-range guitar, scathing percussion, clean vocals, piano, and authentic string section, and is more frequently melodic and introspective than it is brutal or angry. But those fans of extreme music who are also fond of lighter styles, or simply anyone with an open mind, may find the music of Winds to be enjoyable and refreshing.
Winds features several musicians from other Norwegian bands, metal and otherwise. Probably the most well known member of the group is Jan Axel von Blomberg, also known as Hellhammer. Displaying a wider range of drumming than fans of Mayhem or Arcturus might have thought possible of him, von Blomberg is at times passive and passionate, and at other times heavy and vicious. Vocals and bass guitar are both covered by Lars Eric Si, whose voice is clear and nasal, but fitting to the scope of the music. Carl August Tidemann covers guitars, and Andy Winter piano and other keys.
In addition to the four "metal" musicians comprising Winds, "Reflections of the I" features a string quartet (violin, viola, cello, and bass viol), and additional deeper vocals provided by Drajevolitch. The presence of such a string section gives the album a strong chamber music feel at many times. "Reflections of the I" is often heavy, and at times resembles Arcturus or some other melodic black metal bands in this regard. But for the most part, the album comes across as being more a product of intellect or philosophy, than the zeal or aggression of black metal. There are no harsh vocals. No track is solely fast in tempo or unrelenting in sound. That is not to say that Winds is never brutal; "Passion's Quest" is one song that features the hyper fast percussion Hellhammer is most known for, and extreme guitar to match. But those expecting a constant onslaught of brutality will be disappointed.
The avant-garde nature of this music is not to be enjoyed by everyone. The passive nature of "Reflections of the I" may turn off those who prefer their music to be fast and furious. Conversely, fans of classical music or lighter rock may find parts of this album to be too heavy. But music lovers who enjoy both sides of the spectrum will most likely enjoy "Reflections of the I." Lars Eric Si's voice is on the nasal side and is even a little whiney at times, a characteristic that some people may not be able to stand. And despite the variety of musicians on this album, many songs sound alike. Sonically and emotionally, "Reflections of the I" ends at about the same place it began, another aspect of the music to be interpreted according to the individual tastes of the listener.
The End Records' CD release of "Reflections of the I" also includes "Of Entity and Mind," Winds' 2001 MCD debut. These five songs follow the eleven tracks of the album proper, and sound like the rest of Winds' music, minus the string quartet but with far better bass guitar (played by Paul S.). Given that both "Of Entity and Mind" and "Reflections of the I" are conceptual, and that the latter is something of a sequel or follow-up to the former, it is somewhat disconcerting to have the earlier release come after the newer album on the CD.
It seems that more and more bands are experimenting within the field of extreme metal, injecting life into genres deemed dead by naysayers and showing that the musics of death and black metal are far from being fully explored. Winds' "Reflections of the I" cannot honestly be referred to as black metal, but there is enough similarity to be considered a spin off or branching out from that genre into uncharted musical waters. If the band continues with the same line-up, their next album (due to be completed by the autumn of 2003, as of this review) is bound to be even better. Anyone enjoying eclectic music, or simply looking for something new, should consider picking up Winds' "Reflections of the I."
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| Tracklist: 01. Clarity 02. Realization 03. Of Divine Nature 04. Transition 05. Passion's Quest 06. Reason's Desire 07. Premonition 08. Remnants of Beauty 09. Existence 10. Continuance 11. Predominance 12. Inception Perspective * 13. In All Reflections * 14. Bloodstained and Sworn * 15. Mirrored in Time * 16. An Eternity of Dreams * * Taken from "Of Entity and Mind" |
| Rating: 8/10 |
| Release Date: 2002 |
| Length: 60:25 |
| Review By: F. Justin Ossmann |
| Total Reviews: (1) |
| Bands Website: Go Here |
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