Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: WINTERBLADE; signed via Winterblade Records, hailing from Czech Republican grounds - performing Viking Metal, on the debut album entitled: "Long Nights" (released January 6th, 2020).

Since formation in 2018; the soloist in question have only this here debut album in his discography so far entitled: "Long Nights", 11 tracks ranging at around 37:02 - WINTERBLADE arrange an intricately designed formula of heavy-hitting Viking Metal developments. "Sacrifice" begins the record; demonstrating an electronica introduction that revels with ritualistic symbolism, slabbed with an enchanting ceremony - embellishing on sacramenting the tribulations the viking fellowship have endured. A concept for people who keep the Æsir in their hearts, and while remembering the good/bad deeds of the Northmen from long ago. Finding a lot of Skaldic and Bardic influences; entrenching a celebration of the greatly historical manifestations of the Gesta Danorum, Heimskringla & Prose Ednna... mythologies that salute these rites into a harmonic foundation of Viking Metal remedies in melodic tradition.

Consisting of soloist Alex Waters; who performs on everything including vocals/guitars/bass/instrumental programming, the frontman excels with progressively technical experimentation...implementing amplified adrenaline and boistrously bouncy hooks in the titular track. Consistently attributing a complexly dextrous dynamic of throaty snarls; raspy vocals, and grunty growls generating a gnarly element of profusely robust pipes that persist with persevering lungs nailing it into monstrously meaty territory. Contrasting a blistering fretwork of sonically seamless rhythms, riveting riffs & thunderously primitive momentum - this singular project meticulously merges atmospherically ambient hymns with savegly rocketing songwriting musicianship that strikes with trailblazing pursuits of tight yet steely precision.

"Valhöll" infectiously injects audible bass frolicking, chugging into a barraged frenzy of thick punchiness and a borderline fabrication of galloping firepower amalgamating into a killer laceration of jumpy nimbleness. Forging concretely gritty finesse, barbaric doses of exuberent yet mellifluously substance & organic pandemonium while ruthlessly roaring with ripping shreds of rawly rough virtuosity. This track has awe-inspiring; fist-pounding panache, vibrantly solidified with quirky snappiness while revolved around a quintessential outrè of outbursting potency. "Sonatorrek" harnesses daunting but enriching embodiments of monolithic majesty; transistioned with triumphantly storytelling poetics notably from Skaldian Egill Skallagrímsson, who suffered ominous loses of his two sons Gunnar (by fever) & Böthvarr (by drowning). It is a tale of this man who tragically commited himself into joining them in the afterlife and attempt starvation, yet was saved by his daughter - Thorgerd who convinced Egill into commemorating these events into a new poem - this track loosely translates this in Egill's own words in an operatic performance of uniquely versatile vehemence.

"Ironside" (not to be confused with the AMON AMARTH "Berserker" epic) is a brutal belter; crafting crunchy catchiness and rapidly swift rawness, think as if you was in the hall of heroes having a toast to the day's events hammering this track with the gods of that age chanting this rocker in Valhalla. Speaking of which; "All-Father" talks of Odin the mighty war god in which who sacrificed an eye to gain impeccable knowledge, shrouded with ravens & a boundless mystery to mankind. It's an anthemic ballad establishing a harmonious imagination of what the god entails. "The Walker" showcases salubriously volatile tale of Rollo The Walker; a dastardly envision of how he escaped death and ascending into royalty on a Frankish battlefield. A wild rusher resulting in a diligently detailed landscape of instrumental chaos, havoc and berserking blizkreig - sometimes supplying bulldozing energy too.

"Power Struggle" rambunctiously portrays sinister vocals, pulsating thumpiness & chunky expertise...distributing dominating haste, hostility fused with razor-sharp zest in which makes one subjugated into a fierce battle - charged with mayhem & punishment. "The Last Fight" is a final atonement for battle; an aftermath of war depicting a smothered scatter of bloodshed and remorselessly wicked violence. A battering reign of relentless malice, unrepenting yet cerebral impact and an immersively intense mood of viciously stampeding vibes that really do make one feel like a malevolent titan. "Shieldmaiden" is probably the closest rendition to a love song on the record; which of course we don't need too many of those on a Viking Metal record, it resembles a tough tribute to a heartfelt conclusion returning to your loved one...an elegantly exquisite finale until the 40 second hardcore exhilirator "An Adventurer Like You" (sounding like a reference to Skyrim) finishes off with an unprecedented double-edge sword styled with speed, viscerality & fashionable flair plus variety make this an interesting closer full of potential talent with remarkably splendid sublimity.

Bottom line; I am compelled to say that WINTERBLADE slashes with prestigiously wonderous thoroughness, prodegiously delivering a efficaciously fulfilling enlightenment of embryonic systematics. Alex Waters provided a rich experience and certainly outdone himself for performing such a monumental project all by his lonesome, "Long Nights" was created in 18 months which is a fairly long time but it was produced with professionalism & fluidly polished weight - as well as long nights of hard work/research. It has this fuzzily distorted mix at times but it is an enjoyably rewarding outtake that's profoundly executed with groove and distinguishable distinctions. Definitely a discovery worth the listen at least once.