Well, it’s about damn time, isn’t it? After a staggering 12 years since “Time I”, Finnish symphonic metal masters Wintersun have finally delivered “Time II”, and it’s every bit as epic, intricate, and majestic as fans could have hoped for. And yes, it was worth the wait. The album is a masterclass in progressive, cinematic metal that showcases Jari Mäenpää and his bandmates at the height of their musical powers.
Wintersun has always been a band with a flair for the dramatic, both in their music and in their release schedules. The journey to “Time II” has been fraught with delays, crowdfunding campaigns, and more than a few sauna jokes along the way. But now that it’s finally here, we can move beyond the noise and focus on what really matters; the music.
Opening with the atmospheric “Fields of Snow,” “Time II” sets the tone for what’s to come: epic soundscapes, intricate layers of orchestration, and a cinematic approach to metal that blurs the lines between symphonic, progressive, and melodeath. The melodies shift between folk and classical, with flashes of power metal grandeur, all wrapped up in a bombastic, over-the-top production that Wintersun has become known for.
“The Way of the Fire” is the album’s first major statement, a track that has already become a live staple. It explodes with blast beats and triumphant tremolo-picked melodies, calling to mind the best of Ensiferum and early Wintersun. The guitar work here is immaculate, with solos that are as indulgent as they are directionally sound, taking listeners on a journey within the song’s grand narrative.
As the album progresses, it becomes clear that Jari Mäenpää’s decision to focus more on vocals in live performances was a wise one. His fretboard skills are on full display here, but the real star of the show is the music’s orchestration. Tracks like “Storm” offer a melodeath counterpart to “The Way of the Fire,” conjuring vivid imagery of their namesake through cinematic flourishes and neoclassical melodies. It’s an immediate standout and arguably one of the strongest compositions Wintersun has ever produced.
However, “Time II” doesn’t just rely on speed and bombast. The album’s closer, “Silver Leaves,” is a 13-minute epic that slows things down and leans into the band’s Japanese music influences, featuring instruments like the erhu and koto. It’s a more introspective track that ponders the time and struggle involved in creating art, offering a bittersweet conclusion to the “Time” saga.
That said, there are moments where the album’s sheer density can feel overwhelming. The production is meticulous, and while it’s better mixed than “Time I”, there are times when the layers of synths and orchestration risk drowning out the core metal elements. Longtime fans will likely revel in the complexity, but for some, it might feel a little bloated.
In conclusion, “Time II” is a triumph in almost every way. It’s the album Wintersun fans have been waiting for; grand, sweeping, and emotionally rich. The only downside? It took 12 years to get here. As much as I love this album, I sincerely hope we don’t have to wait another decade for the next one. Jari, you’ve succeeded, but please, let’s not do this again. I’m giving “Time II” a 9 out of 10.
Rating: 9/10
Release Date: 30th August 2024
Label: Nuclear Blast
Writer: Andy Baqone
Track list:
- Fields Of Snow
- The Way Of The Fire
- One With The Shadows
- Ominous Clouds
- Storm
- Silver Leaves
