Rough Edge: Vintersorg CD Reviews

VINTERSORG

"Cosmic Genesis" is a stunning blend of black metal and power metal styles. All the more amazing is that Vintersorg is basically a one-man show; Vintersorg handles nearly every musical and vocal endeavor and nothing seems labored or sub-standard.

As the title suggests, many of the song topics deal with the stars, planets, and space. When an artist cites Carl Sagan and Stuart Clarke as influences, it's not hard to figure out where the fascination with all things related to space comes from. This subject matter lacks real world experience for many of us, but Vintersorg makes it interesting for the rest of us to hear about.

Although all of the songs are pretty consistent on the CD, "A Dialogue With The Stars" is the highpoint. The songs are not borne of power metal's slick songwriting and melodic base, but rather black metal's framework is used to construct the songs in terms of length, arrangements, and neo-classical influences. The power metal influence comes when the songs have their melodic breaks and instrumental passages.

The vocals cover the entire musical spectrum from clean vocals to harsh growls. Vintersorg's clean vocals are quite impressive and almost in a league with I.C.S. Vortex. The growls tend to be a bit a bit raspy, but nothing that would be considered a turn-off or detrimental. It is fair to warn Rough Edge readers that some songs are sung in Swedish.

A cover of Uriah Heep's "Rainbow Demon" is included.

"Cosmic Genesis" is easily one of my more favorite CDs in recent memory.

"Cosmic Genesis" was produced by Vintersorg and Mattias Marklund with co-production assistance from Nils Johansson. The production is very clear and powerful; the production effort avoids what I construe as a big mistake by 'solo' artists who also sing and self-produced get their harmonic structures all crammed into one narrow band of comfort.

Vintersorg is Vintersorg on all vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards and programming; and Mattias Marklund on rhythm guitars and lead guitars.

For more information visit http://www.napalmrecords.com or the band's official website at http://www.vintersorg.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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