From Bandcamp, "Freiweitn" is the third full-length record by Austrian Melodic Death Metal outlet VINSTA. The alpine landscape with its looming mountain backdrops, cold winters, and incomparable beauty is reflected in both the music and lyrics that invite the listeners on an uplifting journey through extraordinary soundscapes that lead toward bleak myths and invoke fantastic netherworlds and vast sceneries." The album has nine songs.

"Steanklong" is the first; a short intro with charming but sad keyboard/piano notes and alluring clean vocals. It segues into "Schwoaze Låckn," which is a little more firm. The bass work is excellent, and the rhythm guitars build layers with the keyboards. Those harmonized clean vocals are dreamy, and emotive. Are you sure that this is Black Metal? Well, the gutturals that follow leave no doubt, but this is highly melodic music. "Freiweitn" opens with more tender and soft keyboards. I feel like I headed north and didn't stop until I reached the tundra, and gazed out in wonder at its beauty. The music is calm, and soothing, and I forget where I am for the duration of the song, lost in its charms.

"Wundaberg" is a more aggressive offering, with a tight riff and looser bass work. Tobias is really setting himself apart as a bassist. Given the nature of the vocals with the music, I get a distinct OPETH feeling here, especially in the low registry. "Entarische Gstoit" is another heavier offering with a very commanding riff. I really like the diversity on the album so far. They suck you in with their unabashed beauty, and then slaughter you with the keen eye of a killer. The clean vocal harmonies are once again perfectly placed in the song. "Untawegs im Schattn" has a more delicate but tense opening. What a wonderful sound here, and the band proves to be very seasoned songwriters with these varied offerings. This time, I feel like I am riding a cloud over and under storms and moving, grey skies.

"Vinstas Valonga" has more of an ardent tone to it. The harsh vocals are guttural and deadly, while the riff is sturdy. "Einkher" is a shorter song, with depressive tones from the strings and piano notes. One thing that this album will do, is run you through all of your emotions. "Hoamat" closes the album. Wow, those vocal harmonies soar into the heavens in this hopeful song, reminding you of the beauty of the world. Overall, this was a glorious album with as many tender and charming melodies as well as harsh, ardent tones that rival the best of what Black Metal has to offer. I applaud the band for thinking outside the box, and for embracing harmony and melody as open as they do. This is simple any album that any Metal fan must hear.