At an hour and twelve minutes the new album by Norway’s Northwind is a a robust debut from a band that features musicians from both Horten and Sandefjord, all of whom with roots in different genres. Indeed diversity is the key and the result is a collection of songs that take as their starting point melody, which is then infused with elements of Metal and 70’s and 80’s Rock with a healthy predisposition towards Progressive music, and not a million miles away from the imaginary child of Nightwish and Deep Purple.
Founded in 2012 by Kai Brekke and Lars Svendsen the band played live for 6 years before releasing this album and it shows with the compositions sounding polished and precise and wonderfully executed.
Opening with the wonderful ‘Into the Light’ the 12 tracks here showcase a band that is full of confidence and with a lot to say melding beautiful male and female harmonies and progressive construction, there’s a deftness and a love here that you don’t hear too often like an earthier Nightwish that’s been listening to a diet of 70’s Rock.
Highlights include the rolling ‘Why Shouldn’t We’ that has a little of early Virgin Steele about it and haunting keys that underpin the entire composition; the laid back and sultry ‘White Man’s Blues’; the epic crawl and grit of the nine and a half minute ‘King of Hate’ and the almost equally lengthy beautiful and deft construct that is ‘Tell Me’ which simmers and sways in the smoky night air, it might even be my favourite here (love that guitar). All of the songs here are remarkably diverse but tied together by the wonderful interplay of musicians and vocalists whose voices were made for each other.
The album closes with two relatively short songs the gentle heartfelt ballad ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven’ and the good-time rocker ‘Slow down’ which comes as a complete and pleasant surprise: It’s a strong way to close an introduction to the band. I never thought I’d say it but this is the kind of Progressive music I can listen to again and again.
Lineup: Niclas T. Winther – Vocals | Mona Stang Svendsen – Vocals | Lars Svendsen – Guitars | Kai Brekke – Bass | Hjaran Berge – Drums | Nicky Georgiev – Keyboards
http://www.northwind.no
