#25 - Top of 2012

Wintersun - Time I (Nuclear Blast Records)

Wintersun was initially a side project of Ensiferum's vocalist, Jari Mäenpää who recorded the first album of the band along with Kai Hahto (drums). "Time I" is the second album of the symphonic/ melodic band from Finland who has since gained new members; Teemu Mäntysaari (in guitars and backing vocals) and Jukka Koskinen (bass and backing vocals). The record is full with amazing orchestrations and choruses which make the songs sound epic, and although there are few songs in the album each stands out for a different reason. Starting with the instrumental songs " When Time Fades Away", moving to the powerful "Sons of Winter and Stars"(which spans over 13 minutes!), the amazing "Land of Snow and Sorrow", back to another unique instrumental song "Darkness and Frost" and finally wrapping up with the amazing " Time" (which gave its name to the album), this is an amazing 40 minute journey. Though some might call it "not metal enough", I think that the listener cannot deny the captivating atmosphere that fills this ambitious album making it deservedly one of the more intriguing albums of 2012.


93/100

Below is a video with a live performance of the song "Time".