WINTERSTORM are a black metal trio who 'erect somber towers of ancient-times black metal, their crenellations dusted with grim fury and medieval majesty, their fortified keep containing dread secrets'. The band themselves come from Chile and Ecuador, their drummer CARLOS ANDRÉS or better known as LORD VALTGRYFTÅKE is from Chile whereas the other two members; guitarist BIFROUS NOCTURNO and singer/bassist JOSE AMAY or better known as WAMPYRIC STRIGOI are from Ecuador. They have been together for the last year or two at least and were considered a part of an exclusive group of band, called PURE RAW UNDERGROUND BLACK METAL CIRCLE with other bands like WAMPYRIC RITES and MANIEL 13TH TEMPLE.

Their drummer is from the likes of RUNDGARD, PYREFICATIUM, FUNERAL FULLMOON, MANIEL 13TH TEMPLE and GRYFIGÆN. Their guitarist comes from COMPENDIUM DIABLERIE, CULTO NOCTURNO and the vocalist/bassist is from DUNGEON STEEL and WAMPYRIC RITES as mentioned before. The black metal trio came onto the metal scene in 2020 with two demos titled VMBRA MORS and DEMO II MMXX but now we are embarking on their 7 track debut album titled VINTERSTORMENER.

"Intro" being the first look into the band's debut album features non-traditional sounds most likely played on a keyboard. The contrast between high end and low end sounds is clear as day to a backdrop of maybe white noise or heavily processed black metal soundscape. "Into The Deep Darkness" with high end, metallic drumming and black metal guitar plus satanic vocals. Later on at about halfway through this track we hear double kick patterns surfacing. The guitar is sort of embedded between drums and vocals creating some sort of balance.

The following track "Through The Astral Mist" maintains a faster pace from the previous track as their third track is like a stampede going at full pelt. The dark ominous vocals came in too as the guitar sits a bit further back but not distant. The next track is their 4th track now in this album titled "The Storm & The Night" bursts through with faster and drive for so much more. Similar rhythms are being played here as well as all instruments giving that chill and haunting soundscape like a dark yet nightmare sort of scare.

However guitar brings in the melodic high end but drums then shatter the soundfield with blistering rhythms as vocals project further and further. Guitar goes through a period of sustainability, harmonic overtones certainly stand out more. "The Frozen Winds Of Winter" slows down but also changes to more of a sway movement but guitar still throttles like mad whereas vocals cut through the mix like before. "A Distant Wind Horizon" evens out the rhythm once more with guitar strumming less chaotic at first, more open with tone and character.

But the guitar does revert back to eccentric playing as drums cave in competing with guitar or vocals for the center stage. "Outro" being the grand finale to this debut album as the seventh track draws this compilation to a close. I feel maybe the production and mixing process does what it should to give priority to the much higher frequencies rather than the lower end, which could cause too much friction or overlapping of sound waves. The last track is merely keyboard sounds and a sound effect we heard at the start perhaps it is rain or white noise. A good first attempt by this trio known as WINTERSTORM.