Album Review: Winterage – Nekyia (Scarlet Records)

‘Nekyia’ introduces a new side of Winterage, thanks to an even more bombastic and theatrical feel. The cinematic power metal band will release their third album on July 7th, 2023, via Scarlet Records.

Winterage make their grand return, and the word is ‘grand.’

This band epitomise what cinematic power metal is. On the one hand, the soundtrack to an epic movie or show. On the other, a delight of up-tempo heavy head-banging noise. It’s all here and it all sounds incredibly immense throughout Nekyia.

Following an extremely bombastic introduction with Apertio ad Profundum, Winterage really hit their stride with Simurgh the Firebird. The vigorous speed, the symphonic lavishness, and the chest-pounding power it all. It’s an extremely energetic start that sends the senses into a state of operatic euphoria.

The Cult of Hecate is up next and sees the group getting a bit darker and heavier. Pounding drum beats, frenzied riffing, and epic vocals. You don’t often find this band going this intense, so it’s a great example of how they are developing their sound.

It’s then followed by Numen, a track with folkish melodies and singalong vibes, and a big return to the cinematic balance of grandiosity and heaviness with the title track. They’re both quite different but equally Winterage so you won’t be able to keep the smile from spreading across the face.

La Fonte d’Essenza changes the tone, offering up a chance for the listener to relax slightly, as its combines light melody with epic rises of power. Before it’s back to the darker side of their symphonic and operatic soundscape with Dark Enchantment. A heart-racing track that is fraught with danger. Then along comes White Leviathan to demand you get your dancing shoes on with a fast-paced power metal anthem.

The album ending with the pairing of Metamorphosis, a Macabre Ritual and Resurrectio ad Mundum. The former is one of the most impressively layered efforts of entire album. Winterage taking the listener through many stages of their brash and brilliant cinematic power metal sound. Whereas the latter is a haunting, uplifting, and stunning operatic closer that makes the journey feel like it truly is coming to a close.

Winterage – Nekyia Track Listing:

1. Apertio ad Profundum
2. Simurgh the Firebird
3. The Cult of Hecate
4. Numen
5. Nekyia
6. La Fonte d’Essenza
7. Dark Enchantment
8. White Leviathan
9. Metamorphosis, a Macabre Ritual
10. Resurrectio ad Mundum

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