#34 - Top of 2017

Wintersun - The forest seasons (Nuclear Blast)

Wintersun, the melodic death band led by Jari Mäenpää (known from Ensiferum) are back with a great melodic concept album, following the amazing "Time I". The four songs of the record, drawing inspiration from Vivaldi's four seasons, change their tone and imagery according to the depicted season and its weather. The first song "Awaken from the Dark Slumber (Spring)" is a great starting point for the album with great orchestration and brutal vocals without missing on the clean vocals and epicness. "The Forest that Weeps (Summer)" is based on amazing guitar riffs, starting soft before going to the heavy side, with the help of an impressive instrumental section. "Eternal Darkness (Autumn)" starts with the sound of a storm brewing in the background before going into full growls and intense drumming. The record wraps up with "Loneliness (Winter)", combining a more lyrical approach with a sorrowful chorus, appropriate for the representing season. Overall, a great example of melodic death metal record with an underlying  conceptual theme, showing that even though Wintersun started as a side project it still graced us with another engaging and thought-provoking release!

92/100


Below is the official lyric videos for the 4 seasons.