WINTER — Winter (review)

WINTER — Winter album cover Demo · 1989 · Death-Doom Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Winter" is the eponymously titled first demo by US, New York/Long Island based death/doom metal act Winter. The demo was independently released in June 1989. Initially the demo was released on cassette tape limited to 200 copies. While the original cassette tape version of the demo is almost impossible to find these days, all tracks from the demo plus an additional track were re-released on the 1994 EP "Eternal Frost" (on CD). In 1999 the material from the demo was included as bonus material on the reissue of Winter´s 1990 debut album "Into Darkness". So while the original cassette tape version of the demo is a rare find, the material from the demo is available on other releases. Two tracks ("Servants of the Warsmen" and "Eternal Frost") from the demo were re-recorded and included on the tracklist for "Into Darkness" (1990).

The 4 tracks on the 18:22 minutes long demo are early examples of death/doom metal. It´s relatively simplistic in style featuring heavy riffs and rhythms, and intelligible growling vocals, but not simplistic in a way which makes for a tedious listen. There is a nice groove to the tracks and in addition to the doomy heaviness, there are also some mid-paced parts and the use of double bass drums, which give the music a death metal sound (most prevalent on "Servants of the Warsmen" which is a relatively energetic and uptempo track). Although the music occasionally feature lead guitar parts enhancing the atmosphere of the tracks, most of Winter´s sound is made up of just bass, heavy rhythm guitar riffs, drums, and vocals. It´s very basic music, but the organic grooves, and the memorable songwriting ensure that there are more than enough intriguing elements for an engaging listen.

Considering that this is a demo release from 1989 the sound production is very well sounding, and to my ears it´s fully on par with professional sound productions from that time. Upon conclusion this is a good quality early death/doom metal release and definitely worth a listen for fans of the genre. Although all elements have been heard before, and a contemporary artist like Paradise Lost did something similar (although more based on soaring melancholic lead guitar melodies), Winter still sound relatively unique to my ears. I´m not sure what it is exactly that makes them original, but there is something (although the Celtic Frost influences shine through). A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Everything Hurts And I'm Dying Atmospheric Sludge Metal
NEGATIVE BLISS
Buy this album from MMA partners
L'impôt du sang Melodic Black Metal
CONIFÈRE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Pleroma Progressive Metal
ORGONE
Buy this album from MMA partners
n​ê​bam​Ω​ejn Atmospheric Black Metal
TRHÄ
Buy this album from MMA partners
∫um'ad​∂​ejja cavvaj Atmospheric Black Metal
TRHÄ
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Origin Of Infinity - Chronosphere (OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO)
ORIGIN OF INFINITY
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Kingdom of Heaven - “Pleasures of Pain”
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Bosh66· 1 day ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 18 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 18 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 18 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed