WINTERHORDE – Maestro

Up next is some symphonic, technical BM from Israeli seven piece (yes – seven!) Winterhorde. When we use the word symphonic, it all too often just means ‘uses keyboards’ but this is the full package – an immersive, dramatic narrative, much in the vein of the incredible Carach Angren. Use of spoken passages, theremin, violin etc. give Maestro that soundtrack feel that the best acts in the genre aspire too.

As far as the technical aspects such as musicianship and production, Winterhorde are spot on. The song-writing is strong too, with a good variety of well-structured material that takes the listener on an aural odyssey. It really is hard to find fault with. My only problem with Maestro comes down to taste and style. While I can recognise the sheer volume of good things going on here, it all feels a bit too ‘power metal’ for me. By that I mean it has that operatic, epic feel, which is all well and good if you like that sort of thing, but I like my fare served up more direct and dirty, less cinematic and overblown.

To sum up then – for those who like a bit of melody and theatre, Maestro is a must. In fact it is so good, it would even attract those who normally don’t go for this kind of thing. To the primitives and savages – I will be down the back of my cave beating skulls with a thigh bone.

https://www.facebook.com/winterhorde