The obstacle is crystal clear. English language is the 'mother tongue' of (in general) Rock music and, when not, shit can come out of nowhere while trying to listen, gather info and - eventually - review an album. On the other hand, the 'normal' way bands like WINTERDOME and albums like Weltendammerung would definitely not be of the same taste. And this is a good thing to happen, since - to tell the truth - Weltendammerung caught me by sweet surprise, regarding a Metal sub-genre I'm neither 'interested in' nor 'deep into' in a high level.
The fabulous album cover, the band's lineup number and the instrumentalists' occupation put me in the picture by instinct. Whoever can recall the personal aura of IN EXTREMO/HAGGARD plus the delicate conception of MY DYING BRIDE can easily keep on reading. Hannover-based WINTERDOME was born ten years ago and - not aware of or interested in any other works they 've so far made - Weltendammerung presents a fine 'medieval' dark/folk Metal blend of nine musical creations plus the relative narrative go-betweens. This must be a concept album - I wish I could understand German - and it's obvious the album is suitable for some rainy/foggy evening in the woods (IN THE WOODS...hmmm...).
The singing parts feature both brutal vocals and clear male singing, while beautiful female singing dresses the atmospheric 'bridge' parts. Emotional piano, possessing violin and ample guitar leads guide the coherent continuance the concept (again, I assume) story commands to. The interlude narrations feature the fitting operation between the songs, bringing on some fuzzy yet stable 'theatrical' participation wish from the listener's side.
I'm not into this kind of Metal music. Still, this status can give a more objective point of view. WINTERDOME and Weltendammerung definitely won my ears. It's great the whole thing rolled in the band's native language; else it would not this 'true'. Let aside the fact I like to read lyrics like Mit Flammentanz in den Augen - Dornen Am Herz - Zu Ruhm Und Zum Schmez (even if I know nothing 'bout what all this means)...
P.S.: There seems to be a special DCD release issue, with the second CD omitting the narrative cuts...