Two days ago Jari posted Wintersun's performance at this year's Nimmirock festival on YouTube. It is very high quality recording shot with a Panasonic GH4 and Røde microphone. Their first song played at the festival was from their soon to be released The Forest Seasons album.
00:48 Awaken From The Dark Slumber (Spring)
15:33 Winter Madness
20:42 Beyond the Dark Sun
23:23 Starchild
31:34 Sleeping Stars
38:05 Sons of Winter and Stars
51:44 Death and the Healing
59:05 Time
"...Finnish bashers, Wintersun, will release their new album, The Forest Seasons, on July 21st via Nuclear Blast. Pre-order via the band’s IndieGoGo page, and check out a new guitar playthrough video for the album’s opening track below...."
The band recently commented on the new album: “Yes, you guessed it! This album is our version of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, but it hasn't got anything to do with Vivaldi musically or with classical music. It is 100% original and solid Wintersun material! It is something new and different. Let's just say it has a bit more darker tone overall.”
"The Forest Seasons" master files are WAV 24-bit 44,1kHz
"Time I 1.5 Remaster" master files are WAV 24-bit 44,1kHz
"Wintersun 2.0 Remaster" master files are WAV 24-bit 44,1kHz
"Live at Tuska 2013" is 320kbps MP3 only.
"The Forest Seasons" isolated tracks are 320kbps MP3 only.
"The Forest Seasons" instrumental version is 320kbps MP3 only.
The 5k booklet is 5120 x 2880 resolution in 16:9
Update: I've had a chance to listen to "The Forest Seasons" and its excellent. If you like this band, then this album is something you will want to purchase as soon as you can. Its clear the band has put a lot of effort into "The Forest Seasons" and you will not be disappointed. If there is a complaint to be voiced, then it would be that the new album isn't long enough. However, its only a trivial thing as this is because you want to hear more of it, which again speaks to its good quality.
Number one would be that Jari still isn't adept at production/mixing - especially drums - and that he's continuing to shoot himself in the foot by trying to wear too many hats. I know he's a control freak and wants to bring his vision to life, but even just someone more experienced with the technical aspects of mixing would make a huge difference.
Number two is that track 3 (Autumn) is aimless and pretty much a waste of 14 minutes. I would've much rather had a 40 minute/3 song album than sit through that song. Maybe it'll grow on me but I'm not optimistic.
That said, it's a damn good album overall and I'm pleased to see that it's more musically varied than Time I was. If Jari can actually stay on task with putting new music out - which is a HUGE if - I'm optimistic about what kind of material he'll be writing and releasing.
It seems very strange that the crowdfunding package includes lossy versions of stuff (instrumental, Tuska) that is widely available at retail in lossless quality.
It seems very strange that the crowdfunding package includes lossy versions of stuff (instrumental, Tuska) that is widely available at retail in lossless quality.
Of course we'll never know, but I wonder if Nuclear Blast limited what they could include in the Forest Package. Also, its possible they are saving the 24 bit WAVs for a future crowdfunding campaign. They did mention there would be at least one other.
I'd like to hear more about this studio that they were wanting to build. I'm hoping they use the money for a studio as they said, and not for a super fancy sauna. I can't imagine them blowing the money like that as they all seem very committed to their music.
