PROMINENCE AND DEMISE

I have a little knowledge of this band from Norway having heard many songs from their previous efforts. I will say right now that Prominence And Demise is heavier and perhaps even more intricate than their past efforts. I don't want to compare apples to oranges or go into depth, breaking each track down one by one, but this album definitely was worth the wait...all told I believe it was 3 years in the making. Please read on, I plan to keep this to the point and hopefully get some folks out there to take notice of these guys!

One thing I recall from previous Winds' encounters is that while I thought they were very talented and could write a hell of a deep song, the overall sound that they portrayed was a little on the dull and moody side for me. Perhaps even a bit monotonous. Not here! There are pretty piano passages, for sure, some slower tempos and a mix of beautiful, moody and haunting melodies but when they decide to kick in the heavier guitars and double bass they really grab you by the jugular! Without going back and listening to their previous CDs I would have to say this release is definitely a little more up-tempo. Edgier, heavier and just more rocking!

The one element that has not changed with Winds is the use of a harmonic vocal structure that is almost monotonic but yet retains a sense of melody. It's hard to describe but don't expect any shrieking or screaming or piercing vocals on a Winds CD, this one included. If there is one things about this band that maybe doesn't thrill me to death it would be the vocals?they are very different and anyone who has heard these guys before probably know what I am talking about.

Winds has been around for close to a decade now. Band members can claim their roots from acts like Arcturus, Age Of Silence, Sculptured and Dimmu Borgir. Dan Swano of Nightingale lends a few, and I do mean few, "death" grunts to the album (not enough to put anyone off in my opinion) and there are a slew of other guest musicians from bands like Madder Mortem, Borknagar, Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath, and Ulver to name a few. I've also discovered that there are contributions from musicians in the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Time and money were apparently of no great concern to the guys when crafting this modern masterpiece.

Musicianship is restaurant quality, grade "A", industrial strength. These guys know how to play their respective instruments and can weave them together in such a beautiful and powerful way.

I've only listened to the entire CD from start to end once but I was floored. I have gone back and listened to several tracks again. Standouts include the first epic track "Universal Creation Array" and the emotional and stirring, yet very aggressive at times closing track "The Last Line".

So....you like shredding arpeggios on the guitar? You like super-swift double bass drumming? Love an intricate and delicate piano? Want to hear cellos and violins? Pretty much anything a prog fan could want or wish for is delivered on this release. I normally don't like doing reviews because they are so subjective and feel like who the hell cares what I have to say. But I was so moved after hearing this CD that I had to just let everyone know that on September 4th this CD will be released and you should RUN to go get it. It's really that good. The only minor gripe that anyone could possibly find about the actual sound of this CD is that it could sound "bassier" or heavier...production-wise it sounds very close to their other releases. Perhaps it's intentional though...I'd like a little more "oomph" in the lower frequency range, but I am not here to compare Winds to Symphony X or a similar prog metal band that's more metal and in your face. The Winds' dudes vary their attack and it keeps this album very fresh and interesting. Since this album teeters on the border of progressive rock and progressive metal I have nothing to complain about as far as the engineering goes. Progressive rock usually tends to lay back on the "oomph" with heavy double bass and guitar riffing.

2007 is not over yet, but I think as of now I might place this CD in the top 10, perhaps even top 5 releases of the year. I'd have to go back and listen to all the various CDs I've accumulated since January 1st, but as of right now, this one is gonna get the hell played out of it in the near future!