FIMBUL WINTER hailing from Stockholm, Sweden were formed in 2023 by former AMON AMARTH members Fredrik Andersson, Anders Biazzi, and Niko Kaukinen. The melodic Death Metal outfit release their debut EP. "What Once Was" was mixed by Marko Tervonen (ASHEN; SARCATOR; THE CROWN). It has a length of about 24 minutes, and it is an independent release. The EP has a frantic and fast start with "Storms Rage". The guitar riffing is devastating accompanied by a lot of double-bass drumming entering the verse part of the track. The melodies are dark and melancholic at times. The vocals are growls and they range around the medium end of the guttural range with little tonal shifts. While the tempo is fast for most parts of the track, there are some shifts towards measured tempo with thunderous guitar riffing during the chorus parts. "Storms Rage" is a strong opening track of the EP. The title track continues with the dark sound and adds more epic and melancholic melodies to it. "What Once Was" is a mixture of mid-tempo and measured tempo with devastating guitar riffing and crushing basslines. The guitar work reminds, not surprisingly, a lot of AMON AMARTH, but also of the sound of HEAVEN SHALL BURN at times. The vocals utilize a few higher notes during the track.

"Mounds Of Stones" starts with a short guitar intro, transitioning into powerful guitar riffs and strong basslines at a measured tempo. The verse parts accelerate towards mid-tempo, while the riffing is punishing. The bridge slows down to measured tempo again, accompanied by the double-bass drumming. The melodic framework is grim and epic but has a certain catchiness, especially during the choruses. The choruses are supported by a few orchestrations in the background. The break offers a very contributing lead guitar solo. "Mounds Of Stones" was released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below. "A Soul That Soared" has a slow beginning including a short lead guitar solo. It is a track that has many ballad-esque features, with powerful guitar riffs, and epic and melancholic melodies at a measured tempo. The track is accompanied by crushing basslines, which give the track an extra dimension. In between, there are short sequences of double-bass, which also adds something extra to the track. The vocals are more versatile compared to most EP tracks with a few deep-lying growls included as well as many tonal shifts.

The EP finishes with "In Solitude's Embrace" and the track starts with more direct guitar riffs at mid-tempo, going into the verse part. The verses are a switch between mid-tempo and measured tempo parts, chilling melodies, and devastating guitar riffs. The choruses deliver epic and melancholic melodies, while the chorus lines are anthemic. Feature of the sound are once again the strong basslines and the double-bass drumming. "In Solitude's Embrace" is one of the EP highlights. FIMBUL WINTER deliver melodic Death Metal excellence. "What Once Was" is dark, epic, and melancholic. It offers excellent guitar work, crushing basslines, and chilling melodies, all kept together very well by versatile vocals. I am impressed by the very mature songwriting. The EP is well produced. I would have loved to hear a full-length album instead of an EP. FIMBUL WINTER announce themselves with a bang in a crowded melodic Death Metal market. "What Once Was" was the best melodeath release I heard for a long time, and based on that, FIMBUL WINTER have a promising future ahead of them.