Label: Twilight Vertrieb
Release: 30-07-2010

By: Laetitia

When I hear the name Winterhorde, I think of a band from germany or far far north. But this band actually comes from Israel. The band formed in 1999 under the name Autumn Palace, but changed their name into Winterhorde later on. ‘Underwatermoon’ is a concept album. The lyrics of the songs are based on a story written by bassplayer and co-founder Celestial.

Listening to the album for the first time, I have to say that I didn’t really appreciate the album. It sounded messy in my ears, like this band could not decide what kind of style they want to play. For example: the intro ‘The Shell’ is a song you could put on any powermetal-ish album. The second song, ‘Wreckages Ghosts’ however is simply black/death metal.

Now, after hearing the album some more, I can only say that my opinion changed. Somewhere between listening to the album a second and a third time, I became pretty enthousiastic about the album.
Why? Well, the sound quality of the album is good. The songs are diverse and ‘metal’.
Winterhorde’s music is fast and technical, but not too technical: it’s melodic and in my opinion very headbangable, when you would see this band live.

As said before, the songs are diverse. Maybe there is even too much diversity.
They use a lot of different music styles, like in the last song ‘Farewell,’ you can even hear a little wave of Turisas-like folk metal. I can’t say that it bothers me though, it feels like a piece of the concept. They have different vocalists, a grunter, a clean singer and in some songs even a female vocalist. Which brings me to the next point. The clean vocals don’t contribute to the album in any way. The vocals don’t sound outstandingly well, and actually sound a little bit boring.

‘Underwatermoon’ is a pretty good album. Listening to the album, you feel like you are a part of a musical journey, which you really appreciate when you’re done listening. There are some elements that I dislike but that won’t stop me from listening to the album some more. As for you, dear reader: If you are a metal lover, who likes diversity, technical and the heavier styles in metal (meaning black/death.) you really need to listen to this album and decide for yourself.  For me it’s clear, Winterhorde has won me over.

Link
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Rating: 7,5/10
Tracklist:

1. The Shell
2. Wreckages Ghost
3. Underwatermoon
4. Hunting the Human
5. Execution
6. And Flames Wept to Heaven
7. The Curse of Gypsy
8. Delirium
9. Tenth Wave
10. Smoke Figures
11. The Martyr and Deliverance
12. Farewell