Sometimes, Big Daddy really is surprised by some Metal bands.

Yes, because even being a veteran with 33 years on the Metal scene, there are bands that still are creative and daring to create music in a form that can open new ways into Metal. And let me tell you: Israel seems to be a new Promised Land, in terms of Metal bands. ORPHANED LAND, MELECHESH, HAMMERCULT and many others are here to prove my words, and it seems that WINTERHORDE, a septet from the region of Nahariya-Haifa, is coming to be the next great name of Israeli scene. Their new album, "Maestro", is here to prove my words.

They are doing a way that mixes Black Metal with Death Metal essence, some ethnic music, very good melodies and tons of emotional parts. It's different and maybe something near the same idea that bands as FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and SCEPTICFLESH represent: a total new concept on Metal. And how lovely and hooking is their work.

"Maestro" was mixed by V. Santura (who previously worked with TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS, SECRETS OF THE MOON, OBSCURA, to name a few) and mastered by Jens Bogren (yes, the same one from works of MOONSPELL, KREATOR, AT THE GATES, AMORPHIS, and others), giving the band a very good sound quality, that seems to fit with their complexity of atmospheres, clean moments and aggressiveness touches. It sounds clear and heavy in the due ways, with some very good instrumental tunes. And the artwork from Eliran Kantor (who made works for TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH, KATAKLYSM, and others) is excellent as well.

Best moments on "Maestro"? My dear nephews and nieces, are you really doing this question to Big Daddy here?

There are no best moments here. The entire album is their best moment. It's truly perfect as an entire piece of music. And it goes further than that due the guest appearances of Peter Huss (SHINING's guitarist) on some solos, and the narrations of Jiri "Big Boss" Valter (vocalist Czech band ROOT).

From the intro called "That Night in Prague", passing by the brilliant and heavy "Antipath" with its fine and hooking musical complexity (with excellent vocals and keyboards), the introspective and gothic atmosphere of "Worms of Souls" (with some very good tempos changes, showing great work from bass guitar and drums), the heavy ad abrasive guitars of "Chronic Death" (a song full of emotional and melancholic moments, with excellent clean voices), the long and technical "The Heart of Coryphee" (full of different moments, creating a fine and complex musical contrast, full of excellent guitars and melodies), going into the melodic and tender "Maestro" (with very good acoustic guitars and melodic keyboards), until the apotheoses on the sinister and grandiose "Dancing in Flames", nothing can be thrown away. And I didn't speak about the moments where saxophone and theremin appear.

WINTERHORDE created a cornerstone of something new. This is what "Maestro" is.<