Spearheading what Spinefarm surely hope will be a big year for Wolfheart, they reissue their 2013 album Winterborn. Mr. Metal himself Gary Lee may have missed this release first time around, but looks to make amends this time!
The Finnish Wolfheart began life in 2013 as a solo project for vocalist and lead guitarist Tuomas Saukkonen, who had appeared in many other bands such as Before the Dawn, Black Sun and Dawn of Solace. Now though Wolfheart have become a fully fledged committed band and as such, are aiming to release their first album as a band in 2015. But before that happens their label, Spinefarm Records, have taken the decision to re-release their 2013 debut album Winterborn to what they hope will be a larger and more eager audience.
The first track The Hunt opens with a folky acoustic motif that lures the listener in, like a welcoming meadow, only for them to be crushed by thunderous guitar riffs and drums after a time. The riff plays on the acoustic motif (which occasionally reappears) giving the song a nucleus to be built around and it is something that it never strays from, despite the musical sundering that goes on here. Saukkonen's growls are spectacular, as is the bluesy solo that carries this song to the blast beat led outro. The song is filled with a villainous grandeur. Epic, but in a much more threatening way than power metal....less Blind Guardian, more Amon Amarth.
The harmonic motif and groove laden riffs are carried through into the second track Strength and Valour, carrying what would otherwise be a bull charging blast beat song, to a memorable and enjoyable end. However, it is the masterful Routa, Pt.2 that really shows off the songwriting nuance of Saukkonen. The song starts out with a wonderful violin part that sets you off down a wistful path. Once again the distorted guitars and blast beats come charging through, bursting through any tension created. However, unlike many songs of this ilk, the violins stay in, almost beckoning you down the musical journey. Here the strings and guitars compliment each other beautifully, neither competing for space and it is nice to hear a slightly different take on this type of song writing. I also love the small acoustic interlude before the vocals come into the mix. Once again there can be no complaints on the vocal front, the growls really add to the power and presence of this song as indeed I feel they do throughout the album. There is once again more blues sounding solo work, as we heard in The Hunt. This time it takes on a more melodic tone and wanders around the scales in manner that would make the most hardcore, spandex wearing 80's rock fan weak at the knees. At 7:33 it's one of the longest songs on the album, but also without a doubt one of the highlights. Although look out for the sibling to this track, Chasm.
Whiteout opens with a fuzzed up chunky riff that is reminiscent of the 90's alternative sound before it is coupled with a wonderful harmonic partner and the usual destructive drums. I really like this unsual sound that is offered here, it really helps underpin the groove and threat of this track and much like the earlier Strength and Valour, this becomes a motif that is carried through the track. Providing a nexus once again for the song writing to be built around. The track contains a swirling grungy solo to go along with the fuzzed up riff and in all, this track really shows the breadth of Saukkonen's song writing talents! From here Ghost of Karella and I take the album back down the full throttle metal route before falling to the melodic and wistful Chasm.
However it is Isolation, the albums fully instrumental track, that offers something different. It is a rich and textured piece that shows enough to tantalise the listener, while leaving enough mystery to allow you to transpose your own thoughts and feelings in to it. Although, if there is one thing this track has in abundance, it is feeling. It is a great way to lead to the closing of the album, though I wouldn't have minded if this track was the closer. A great, mature instrumental track.
In all, this album will please the discerning metal head. I feel that perhaps, for someone looking to get into metal or someone who is new to the genre, the scope may be a little large. Although there is a lot of confidence, style and swagger to see it through. One thing for certain; this year looks to be a big year for Wolfheart and I cannot wait to see what original material the new lineup come up with this year.
Article by Gary Lee.
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