Artist: Vinterriket
Country: Germany
Label: Ketzer Records
Formats: CD
Year: 2003
Does a band like Vinterriket still need a introduction? I guess not, the people who are into Dark Ambient and Blackmetal are already familiar with this band. One of the most productive people in the scene, with the only bandmember being one of the most dedicated people in the metal/ambient scene. Vinterriket stands for atmospherical blackmetal with great ambient soundscapes. This is one of those “love or hate” bands.
The CD starts off with a little intro, and then bursting out in a raw blackmetal song, but this is alternated with some great keyboard parts and ambient sounds. This song is sang with one of the most creepy and haunting vocals I ever heard in my life. It gives me the creeps, it sounds like some kind of forsaken spirit in the snow that yearns and screams to be saved. You should definitely check this out. The next track is some more symphonic but still blackmetal at it’s best. And again the vocals are so unbelievable haunting. The only difference is the keyboards that are more on the foreground. Then a change appears in the CD, the music moves from haunting blackmetal into great atmospheric dark ambient. This is the music we know from the many split 7″-es Vinterriket put out with bands like Manifesto, Fjelltrone and Veilled Allusions, dark and amazingly dreamy. Again, the word ‘haunting’ popped up in my mind. I think Vinterriket is just pure art, musical art. I can’t really write about this part of the album, you have to experience it. Words are not really needed…
Dim the lights and experience the pure power of darkness and nothingness…
