Windhand: Eternal Return

Even though I’ve enjoyed nearly everything Windhand has done, I never thought they could top Soma, their second album. However, with this new album, the band’s fourth, Windhand has outdone themselves in ways that will set this one apart for years to come. Longtime fans will recognize the band’s signature sound from start to finish, but they will also appreciate the extra nuance and variety in the songwriting. I wouldn’t go so far as to suggest this album represents a new direction, but it is a signature moment, one that captures Windhand’s sound as solidly as ever before. Each of the 9 tracks on this album fits together key components of energetic fuzz, psychedelia, and calm in ways listeners will enjoy. Windhand always wrote terrific songs, but this album shows them experimenting just enough to let their overall sound expand. “Light into Dark,� for example, lets things wander just enough�"and breathe just enough�"to reveal some new sonic possibilities. And then there are tracks like “Grey Gardens� that weave in some additional nuance to great effect.

If you’re a fan of Dorthia Cottrell’s vocals, they are especially strong on this release. She has an ethereal vocal style, one that adds mystery to the songwriting in ways that always gave Windhand that extra edge. But her voice also has a softer, folk-like side, one that the band has explored regularly. On this album, though, her vocal range isn’t divided between heavy and slower songs so much as they are given different things to do more often. Better still, her voice is a little clearer this time around, giving listeners a better opportunity to hear just how soulful she can be. Similarly, the guitars add more variety between riffs and melodic passages in ways that solidify the band’s overall sound. Aside from Cottrell’s vocals, much of Windhand’s charm is their full guitar sound, especially that warm and bright fuzz that is both confident and magisterial.

This is easily one of the best album’s in Windhand’s career. You’ll definitely want to check out “Halcyon,� “Grey Garden,� “Red Cloud,� “Diablerie� and “Feather.� If you like those, give the whole thing a shot. What a great band!

Track Listing:
1. Halcyon
2. Grey Garden
3. Pilgrim’s Rest
4. First to Die
5. Light into Dark
6. Red Cloud
7. Eyeshine
8. Diablerie
9. Feather

Added: October 10th 2018
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1033
Language: english

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