Winterfylleth – The Hallowing of Heirdom

[schema type=”review” name=”Winterfylleth – The Hallowing of Heirdom” description=”Label: Candlelight / Spinefarm Records” author=”Basak Günel” pubdate=”2018-04-06″ ]

Winterfylleth is an English black metal band, hailing from Manchester. They have been formed in 2007 and describe themselves as “English Heritage Black Metal”. The band’s name translates into “Winter Full Moon”. After having released five full-length albums, the band is back with a 6th one called “The Hallowing of Heirdom”. This one is especially interesting as it’s the first acoustic black metal release of the band. 

Let me tell you how much I adore acoustic albums! Of course it matters how the composition is and how much the band ‘feels’ it. In this case, I got hooked from the first second and let me tell you, first moments are pretty important in acoustic releases… Each song tells a story of its own; there is a bit of romance, a bit of atmosphere and pure acoustic music. The main highlights for me are definitely the cello/violin (for the romance) and the amazing choirs. That being said, the male choirs are quite dominant in the record but in songs like “The Nymph”, we also get to hear female vocals. So surprises are definitely there. I personally liked the first half of the album more as it reflects the soul of the sound the best.

What makes this record so “wow” then? It’s the overall flow, composition and the “beauty in the simplicity” of it. Sure, it’s not the most unique thing out there as we know many bands who have released acoustic stuff before. As a matter of fact, Ulver’s “Kveldssanger” came to my mind while listening to this album. But influence is always good. What got me hooked was just this natural approach of the band; they are not trying too hard, it’s just beautiful and natural. Let’s not forget that it’s their first time releasing an album like this which definitely makes it a big milestone for the band. As a (hyped) listener, I have felt this throughout the record; the band definitely had a vision and many ideas (maybe they had been thinking about this for a very long time or maybe the ideas just flew?). The end result is this beautiful piece.

Beauty combined with pure acoustic music… “Hallowing of Heirdom” is officially in my list of the best of 2018. Fans of the atmosphere, folklore and the acoustic side of (black) metal, get this album!

Line-up:
Chris Naughton – guitars, lead vocals
Simon Lucas – drums
Nick Wallwork – bass, backing vocals
Dan Capp – guitars, backing vocals
Mark Deeks – keyboards, backing vocals

Tracklist: 1. The Shepherd 2. Frithgeard 3. Aecerbot 4. Halgemonath 5. Elder Mother 6. Embers 7. A Gleeman’s Volt 8. Latch to a Grave 9. The Nymph 10. On-Cydig 11. Resting Tarn 12. The Hallowing of Heirdom

Links:
Winterfylleth Official