WINTERFYLLETH
“THE RECKONING DAWN”
Album Review by Vicky Jackson-Milne

10/10

Since 2006, Winterfylleth have been crawling their way around the underground UK metal scene peddling their wares.  Eventually, successfully breaking out and becoming known internationally and loved for their self described ‘heritage black metal’.  Now, here we have their newest release ‘The Reckoning Dawn’.

These lads have brought up to the plate, yet another sterling offering. It feels as though the years of evolution have lead up to this point, it feels important, like you must listen to it.  The torches have been lit again and Winterfylleth are leading the march.

There’s no battle etiquette here, they begin by literally smacking you in the face with ‘Misdeeds of Faith’.  An absolute barrage of pummelling drums, layered vocals and snarls and growls that’ll rumble your kidneys.  ‘A Hostile Fate’ is part 4 of the Wayfarer series started way back on The Mercian Spere.  It’s smooth constant guitars, though fast and furious, easily hypnotise and send you swaying back and forth.

Next, we hunker down for the near on 10 minute metalgasm that is ‘Absolved in Fire’.  It’s a real piece of art, taking you through a complete soundscape of the black metal genre.  It certainly doesn’t feel that long.  It’s wonderful.  However, you’re not able to linger too long, before you know it you’re on to the title track ‘The Reckoning Dawn’.  Another grandious saturation of blasts and duels to feed your ears.  ‘A Greatness Undone’ treats you to even more excellent double bass matched with guitar riffage.  It swings from tempo to tempo with the greatest of ease, calming you down to gently push you in to the following track.

‘Betwixt Two Crowns’ is a cute little acoustic interlude to reset your senses and relax a little.  After all, you did just have a metalgasm and weren’t allowed to fall asleep afterwards.  However, this delicate flower of a track soon gets it’s petals blown right off with the full force of ‘Yielding The March Law’.  An absolute fury of riffs and synths, desperate screams and a sinister undertone, it grabs you by the hand and leads you safely down the rocky path to the closer ‘In Darkness Begotten’.  What an absolute belter to end an album with.  This track twists and turns throughout, full of surprises and more layers than an onion.  It eventually glides along so effortlessly and beautifully, slowly fading out to finish.

If you weren’t sure about where Winterfylleth were going with the band after their previous releases, you need not worry.  This album is a genuine masterpiece, beautifully put together and produced and packaged in the most gorgeous blacker than black box.  It’s epic.

LISTEN FOR:
‘Absolved in Fire’, ‘Yielding The March Law’, ‘In Darkness Begotten’

TRACKLIST

Misdeeds of Faith
A Hostile Fate (The Wayfarer Pt. 4)
Absolved In Fire
The Reckoning Dawn
A Greatness Undone
Betwixt Two Crowns
Yielding The March Law
In Darkness Begotten

https://winterfylleth.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/Winterfylleth/

LINEUP:

Christopher Naughton – Guitar/Vox
Simon Lucas – Drums
Nick Wallwork – Bass/Vox
Dan Capp – Lead Guitar/Vox
Mark Deeks – Vox/Synths

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