Vinterthron - Reign Ov Opposites
Ashen Productions

file under black/pagan metal

Neithan: Vinterthron hails from the frostbitten favelas of Rio de Janeiro and when I open a review with lines like these, the reader awake knows that once more I have encountered an excellent band from an area which might not pop up in one’s mind when asked about where good black metal bands come from. The band features musicians from bands like Darkest Hate Warfront, Lux Ferre, Mysteriis and Songe D’Enfer, of which only Lux Ferre is familiar to me. In the past they used to play as Ancient Blood, and this ‘new’ Vinterthron comes up with an album which is brought as an homage to the great and the old in black metal: well, I can dig this band very well!

Indeed, black metal as it should be: cold and grabbing one by the throat. The band lists several bands as an influence, from the roots of all evil up to lesser exposed bands like Carpathian Forest and Swedish top-acts Watain and Craft and others. Yes, it is simple and there are no new ideas to be heard but it is so deadly. Yet mentioning a lot of names doesn’t bring clarity to the average metal fan, so I would bring back the description to the core: what if members of Kampfar (unbelievable that the band doesn’t mention this excellent band when taking into account songs like ‘Rising/ Dark Congregation’, ‘Thy Almighty Pestilence’, ‘Imminent Chaos’ and other songs, especially the sound of the guitar) and Watain teaming up to write their homage to the album ‘Transylvanian Hunger’? Well, this album answers that question.

No, it lacks the sheer genius of bands like Darkthrone, Kampfar and Watain, but yes: it is cold, grim and done the way it should be. If you want your black metal done the way it should be, yet not from Scandinavia for a change, certainly try out this Vinterthron! Fuck samba, hail to Vinterthron!

Rating: 75/100 (details)

http://www.myspace.com/vinterthron