"Elegies of the Stellar Wind" is the fifth installment from the Former BLACK SUNRISE Drummer: GrimSpirit. If you are a fan of Second Wave of Black Metal, this is for you. Arriving late on the scene in 1998, then this is one for your collection. His solo work allows him to play to many of his strengthens, this you will hear for yourself. This album often feels like you are walking through a snow storm in a fantasy adventure, if you close your eyes you too may see this. There is a lot of keyboard influences here, if that a feature you like in your Black Metal, then you're in for a treat.

"The Second Baptism... Shores in Fire and Ice" has the lingering and chilling ambience dynamic, which has been note able from many of the Second Wave of Black Metal key figures such as BURZUM. This is old school and representative of the Norwegian scene (even though Grimspirit in Polish) in the 90's. The soft piano really helps to build up the tranquility of the intro, until a Goth-style lower key comes in to play to add depth. The raw and uncut 90's Black Metal guitar melody links up the missing aspect as dark vocals add to complete the fusion. Neither vocals, nor instruments overpower each other. Vocals are low, which is essential, they add as a background effect to the great tune that he has created. Allowing his artistic passion to flow. The changes remind many of early BURZUM work blended with some deep EURONYMOUS outbursts.

"Lunar Rites... Beholding the Towers of Barad-Dur" is a fast paced start, less Black Metal and more Modern Death Metal, that is, until Grimspirit begins his vocal outbursts, is slows down briefly, almost like someone turned the sound down, but as the vocals begin the beat kicks in again with an upbeat keyboard adding an interesting aspect to the song, not gloomy, but Symphonic-style. His vocals are dark, eerie and raw. There is no auto tune, nor should there ever be. The song sound like you are on a fantasy adventure together. A heavier BURZUM (again) style rift follows, this shows his depth as an artist and take the adventure down a darker path, but you're still a long for the ride. It's a great creative song that embraces Black Metal as an art form. It's a Dark fantasy adventure. After a while he seems to try to include the keyboard more, something not so dark, but again, Symphonic like NIGHTWISH, less Black Metal low keys in that way, but its balanced brilliantly. After the keyboard is finished, he throws it back to the raw edginess of his darkness in vocals and instrumentals. This is a true Black Metal masterpiece.

"From the Northern Wallachian Forest... Tyranny Returns" includes a brief orchestra-esqe style into, brief but powerful, before an acoustic intro take over, allowing the melody to gently pass through, that transition is effortless. The tempo picks up, with the hint of an operatic hum in the background. Grimspirit has a few low deathgrowls in the background to add ambiance beautifully. His vocals remain short bursts, low and distorted, allowing the majesty of the melody to take over. It works perfectly. The Pagan chanting is a great addition to this song, it adds depth and the solo in the background is somewhat technical, but not hogging the limelight. The ability to take multiple aspects of this song and blend it all together shows true character and shows what a great album this is.

For fans of: Burzum; Midnight Odyssey; Paysage d'Hiver