Immortal Souls - Wintereich

circus_brimstone

Forest: Sold Out
Jul 5, 2003
5,154
13
38
41
Indiana
Immortal Souls – Wintereich
Facedown Records – FCD063 – August 21, 2007
By Jason Jordan

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Immortal Souls play a Finnish brand of melodic death that shares traits with Scandinavian neighbors such as Sweden’s Dark Tranquillity and Arch Enemy, though certain melodies recall their fellow Finns Amorphis. Wintereich, similar to predecessor Ice Upon the Night, is a winter-centered album that displays subtle improvements, yet is still only a solid entry in an overdone subgenre that has already seen its best days.

While likening Immortal Souls to any one group would be oversimplifying the matter, there’s an undeniable, Gothenburg feel to opener ‘Nightfrost,’ which has plenty of energy, melodic leadwork, and tight musicianship. ‘Feareaper’ is more in tune with latter-day Arch Enemy than others, circa 2:15, though Amorphisisms appear here and there. Predictably, however, ‘Frozen Inside,’ ‘Icon of Ice,’ ‘Heart of Cold,’ ‘Winter of My Discontent’ (Richard III, anyone?), and the rest bring enough to the table to be worth their weight, unless originality is of the utmost priority. Plus, the clean vocals in ‘Black Water’ and the title track are a pleasant surprise that should’ve been implemented earlier to act as a counterpart to the growls.

Nonetheless, Wintereich doesn’t come across as a complete rehash, contrary to the latest installments from Blinded Colony, Sonic Syndicate, and others, which is possibly attributable to IS’s personality and fixation on the coldest season. Why is it that bands with the word “immortal” in their moniker are obsessed with winter? Aside from that phenomenon, investigate this release further if you’ve an insatiable hunger for melodeath. Otherwise, stick to the classics.

Official Immortal Souls Website
Official Facedown Records Website