From Bandcamp, “WINTER ETERNAL return with their boldest record yet: “Echoes of Primordial Gnosis.” While immediately recognizable as the same WINTER ETERNAL that delivered the preceding modern classic, “Echoes of Primordial Gnosis,” just-as-prominently displays a greater usage of dynamics, particularly those revolving around acoustic and clean-stringed instruments. No longer the black metal underground's best-kept-secret, WINTER ETERNAL step fully into the halls of greatness with “Echoes of Primordial Wisdom.”

The title track is first. Out of the gate, the Black Metal sound is tinged with a bit of Melody, crossing it over into the MeloDeath realm. “Two Heavens as One” has meaty bass guitar notes beneath the thick riff that laments with pain. The vocals are done in duplicate, with one harsh voice and one clean, and it brings another element to the table. “Battle Cry” begins with clean, solemn guitars, and some time for the listener to pause and think. When it gets going, it moves with energy and purpose, as the title suggests. “The Serpent’s Curse” has deep, lamenting tones. When someone is cursed, that mark follows them everywhere, and throughout their life. That is the sound here, and the clean vocals wails put a stamp on it.

“Voices” is a short acoustic instrumental that has very solemn tones, and that is a common theme on the album so far. “Bending the Fabric of Reality” hears the sound roar back to life following the pensive pause. It’s a short blast done with a good deal of emotion. “Sacrifice for Glory” is more like a battle cry, and the vocal screams are loaded with torture, anger, and even frustration at times. “The Keeper of Sorrows” closes the album, and it’s another shorter ride filled with sober but stalwart tones, almost a big “fuck you” to anyone daring to come in. Overall, this was a solid album that didn’t use too many thick tones that often accompany Black Metal, and has just enough melody to keep it interesting and memorable.