There's a romantic vision that permeates Black Metal. It comes from the earlier days of the 90's, when the genre was being canonized (what this means is that its features were being finally set), after Norway, Sweden, Greece and France showed the world that they were cradles for a new musical manifestation. Those ways of playing Black Metal are a deep influence for these days, and the trio WINDSWEPT, from Ukraine, is here to show with "The Onlooker" how they can use the old formula to breed something new.

They play a fast and aggressive form of Old School Black Metal, with a simple and raw insight, but bearing some good rhythmic changes (as can be heard clearly on "Disgusting Breed of Hagglers"). But a somber and somewhat melancholic feeling fills their songs in a way that will remember a lot what some ancients from Norway and Sweden were doing on the first half of the 90's, but always bearing a brutal energy and showing personality. Yes, they're pretty good. Even the production shows a longing feeling: it is raw and truly funereal. But to their musical work, this format works in a very good way, with such moldy and rusty tunes that remembers a lot the earlier sound qualities of bands like MAYHEM, BURZUM, DARKTHRONE and MARDUK. But don't be worried: you'll understand what they play clearly.

Their seven songs are in a very good level, but the brutal and fast energy of "Stargazer", the melancholic introspective touch presented on "A Gift to Feel Nostalgia" (very good guitar riffs), "Disgusting Breed of Hagglers" (as told above, a very good work from bass guitar and drums due the rhythmic changes), and "Times of No Dreams & No Poets" are the best songs of the album. They're truly good, and for extreme Metal fans, WINDSWEPT are a good name to look for. The trio still has a way to go, but for now, "The Onlooker" is a fine album and deserves a very careful listening.