VINSTA is an emerging solo project by Christian Höll. It is best characterized as passionate music which takes the listener on a journey through dark yet beautiful emotions. VINSTA's second album tells the story of a wanderer facing the forces of nature, taking up traditional motifs and the primeval dialect of the Salzburg Alps. At the end of his seemingly errant hike through the Alpine winter world, the protagonist meets three foreboders and finds himself confronted with perspectives larger than (human) life. "Drei Dieta" contains eight tracks.

"Ausklong" leads off the album. It's a very short mood setting instrumental, seguing into "Weisse Deckn." The main riff is dark, heavy and lumbering, while the vocals are low and harsh. While they rage, there is another layer of clean vocals rising above, and some lead guitar brings with it some melody and peace to the track. Just after the half-way mark, that melody really kicks in. It's this kind of juxtaposition that really works. "Oafoacha Loda" is about half as long, opening with clean and melancholy guitars. The pretty little melody line matures into a full-blown song with clean vocal harmonies. It reminds me a bit of OPETH as of lately...those Progressive harmonies shine brightly in an otherwise dreary sound.

"Raunocht" features a more heavy and aggressive sound, complete with harsh vocal utterances. Then, the melody morphs to a more tender and sweet sound but with seemingly no transition...how does he do this? "Fiachtn" opens with more twisted sounds and harsh vocals. The darker side of the album shines pretty bright here, with some Progressive chord structures. Again, the transition to beauty is just a note away, and how he positions himself at just the right time is the most unique thing about the album. "Drei Deita" opens with smooth winds and calm waters. The violin is a nice touch. You feel like you are taking a stroll on a warm spring day without a care in the world. But that dark shadow remains in the background. The vocals are ethereal, and the east acoustical ending with female vocal chants is very nice.

"Tiafn" is close to ten minutes in length. It opens assertively, with deadly harsh vocals and a heavy, lumbering pace. The clean harmonic vocals take it to another level. It bring an ethereal element to the track. It turns sanguine at around the ¾ mark, coasting on a cool melody line through completion. "Einklong" closes the album. It's a short track, with cool and tepid rhythms...take in the atmosphere. What a fantastic ride this album was. The two competing styles work together into this synergy that is so easy to listen to. The aggressive tones are tempered so swiftly with ambient and sublime tones, and points of pure joy come shining through. Masterful songwriting, and a flair for the unusual...an album of this magnitude comes around once every blue moon.