ALBUM REVIEW: The Onlooker – Windswept
Even by black metal’s lofty standards, Roman Sayenko is a cult legend. His work through primary outfit DRUDKH is second to none and after landing an impressive debut with latest endeavour WINDSWEPT, 2017’s The Great Cold Steppe, now, comes their second effort; The Onlooker. Does this new offering continue to preserve Sayenko‘s impeccable legacy in black metal?
Despite getting off to a shaky start with the rather unnecessary introductory track I’m Oldness and Oblivion, The Onlooker sticks firmly to the core of what makes black metal so cold and nihilistic. This is a record that is as authentic as it is ferocious. Right from the raw and abrasive intro of Stargazer, WINDSWEPT get down to to business as a flurry of blastbeats, tremolo riffing and vicious howls from Sayenko set an immediate precedent. After the initial disappointment of the needless introductory track to the record, Stargazer sets a strong opening to what the record contains.
From there, WINDSWEPT continue to impress with their brand of uncompromising and fierce black metal. A Gift To Feel Nostalgia features a hyperblast of rapid riffing that fuses effortlessly with a effortless performance from drummer Vladislav Petrov whilst Disgusting Breed of Hagglers is a different beast entirely. Aside from the delightfully pleasing song title, the track encapsulates the best of what WINDSWEPT have to offer on the record; a ferocious yet measured delivery that captures the excellent qualities of black metal. Riffs combine organically with the frantic drumming that pull you into its mirky soundscape and the sparse vocal shrieks only enforce the chaotic nature of the track itself. It’s bold, defiant and captures the sheer chaos of the genre.
Even as The Onlooker enters its second half, WINDSWEPT continue to maintain the high levels of intensity set from earlier. Gustav Meyrink’s Prague is entirely instrumental and whilst there could be a cause for concern that the absence of Sayenko‘s howling vocals, the track squashes any doubts thanks to fierce and maintained flurry of icy riffs and blasts from Petrov‘s drums. Insomnia of the Old Men pushes a cold and desolate atmosphere to the forefront as vocals laced with aggression and pain crash over a wave of breakneck riffing and final track Bookworm, Loser, Pauper ensures the record finishes on a resounding high with one final bout of fierce and raw black metal before fading into the notes of the album’s opening moments. A nice touch to bring proceedings to a close.
Roman Sayenko‘s reputation and pedigree within black metal speaks for itself and with his latest endeavour, he has delivered the goods once again. This is a fierce, uncompromising and highly enjoyable album from WINDSWEPT and whilst The Onlooker certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel for black metal, what this record offers is more than enough to appeal to anyone with a degree of interest in the style.
Rating: 8/10
The Onlooker is out now via Season of Mist Underground Activists.
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