Those Norwegian guys really don't "know how to create awful albums! Speaking of Mr. Von  Blomberg this time, also known as Hellhamer, whose creativity see no weakening in the past years with albums like the magnificent masterpiece from Arcturus, "The Sham Mirrors, or the interesting dark industrial album from The Konvenant, "S.E.T.I. This year he returns with two releases, one being the latest Mayhem album "Chimera

The second album comes from a band that he is not probably known for participating and that is "The Imaginary Direction Of Time from Winds. To those unwary of Winds then you are in for a surprise...Good or bad surprise, you ask. Let's say that you are in for something completely different.

Metal music and therefore hard rock in general is well known for the similarity with classical music. Just think of all the groups that released albums (live or studio ones) accompanied with a symphonic orchestra - Deep Purple, Scorpions, Metallica, Rage are some that I can think of right now-. Winds take the whole classical music-metal blend one big step further. Classical instrument have a major and vital part in every song of "T.I.D.O.T, just listen to the perfect blend of violins and drums in the "The Final End or the piano accompanying the guitar riff on the opener, "What Is Beauty? The feeling that he album fills you upon listening is colorful and majestic, like experiencing your own private sonata, your inner soul's most humble yet powerful emotion. The slow tempo that flows within the "T.I.D.O.T really builds up the glorious sound of each and every one of the songs and works as a bridge between the classical and the electrical element. It is scary to think how Winds blended perfectly two absolutely different things into a complete harmony.

Speaking of harmony, I must insist on listening very carefully to the orchestration of "T.I.D.O.T which is an effort of the whole bands itself. The guitar work of Mr. Carl August Tidemann (ex-Arcturus, Tritonus) is outstanding, along with Mr. Blomberg exquisite percussions and Mr. Eric Si rhythmic guidelines on bass, Winds music really feels like being swirled in whirlwind of notes and endless sounds of lyrical emotions. Mr. Eric Si's vocals aren't very easy to get into them because of their strange nature but undeniable they are ideal for Winds sound. Last and not least Mr. Waters piano and keyboard work is the cornerstone of this album, which uses a lot of piano, and less electronic keys, before and after the chorus. Lyrically "T.I.D.O.T stands on a thin line between real and surreal, talking about time, love and hate, about human decision and fate's decision, hope and disbelief. Endless meanings from a limitless imaginative band like Winds.

Winds - The Imaginary Direction of Time is a musical masterpiece for those who respect themselves and got an open mind upon musical experimentation. This album took the term experimentation one step further into achieving the perfect blend of metal and classical music. I'll finish my review with the lyrics of the song "The Final End

"As the way of the world unfolds amidst shattered hope....Encircled with no escape from the imaginary death...I withdraw in regret that I didn't make the choice...When I had the chance to change the way of the world