Album Review: Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (Candlelight / Spinefarm)

Four years since the release of their critically acclaimed 7th album, ‘The Reckoning Dawn’, British black metal forerunners Winterfylleth return to the fray with their new album, ‘The Imperious Horizon’ on 13th September via Candlelight/Spinefarm.

Reflecting a world that is dark and dangerously fractured, The Imperious Horizon finds Winterfylleth in a much bleaker mood. Even if a new release from this iconic black metal band makes everything feel that little brighter.

One of the most consistently brilliant bands in the scene and across the entire world, Winterfylleth return with what is one of their strongest releases yet. One of their most intense, blackest, and poignant yet. One that features some of their deepest atmospheric sounds and brutalising blackness to date. Which is what listeners have to enjoy with the haunting intro of First Light (Arthur Thompson’s cello is amazing), the explosive ferocity of Like Brimming Fire, and the epic brilliance of Dishonour Enthroned.

No-one doubts the black metal edge that Winterfylleth has these days but goodness, is it on severe display here. You’ll struggle to find Winterfylleth music that isn’t sublime, but when they’re at the heights of their powers, we get tracks like these. A pair of absolute black metal beasts with thick emotional vibes running through them, enhanced by the powerful atmospheres. Most will be completely sold on this album once these tracks are heard.

Most bands would struggle to follow that, but Winterfylleth are a very special band and with a trio of tracks, they prove that unequivocally. First, there’s the majestic Upon this Shore, then there’s the burgeoning beautiful misery of the title track, before In Silent Grace drags things into a much darker, but extravagant place. Exemplified by the immense guest vocals of Primordial’s AA Nemtheanga. What a vocalist he is, but that also goes for Winterfylleth’s Chris Naughton who is on stunning form here.

In fact, the entirety of Winterfylleth is on the form of their lives here and across the entire album we get ruthlessly heavy and fast riffing, thick garish blackened rhythms, grandiose melodies, and a constant ‘mood’ that makes for an unforgettable listen. Each track is a gargantuan offering, but each track is so palatable that they never feel as long as they are.

How about something simpler though? Something that can be summed up as a fairly straight-forward blast of black metal? It’s a side of Winterfylleth we don’t see a lot of, but it still exists and is on display with the brutal To the Edge of Tyranny.

The end is nigh, but first, Arthur Thompson’s cello returns for a moving melodic piece called Earthen Sorrows. A chance to let the heart beat slow down and the pulse to quieten as the finale of The Insurrection ends things with mighty blackened aplomb. Winterfylleth ending their latest incredible opus with a gob-smacking bang.

Once again, Winterfylleth have stepped up and delivered something truly outstanding. Something that is them through and through but doesn’t find a band stagnating or changing who and what they are significantly. It’s the perfect showcase of Winterfylleth in 2024 and can rightfully be called an album of the year contender.

Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon Track Listing:

1. First Light
2. Like Brimming Fire
3. Dishonour Enthroned
4. Upon This Shore
5. The Imperious Horizon
6. In Silent Grace (feat. AA Nemtheanga of Primordial)
7. To the Edge of Tyranny
8. Earthen Sorrows
9. The Insurrection

Links

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