ALBUM REVIEW: Winterider – Everfrost

In Lapland, a group of individuals have been crafting for a number of years to produce their new record – and it isn’t Santa or his elves. EVERFROST, the five piece symphonic power metal group from Finland, are set to release their second full length album Winterider; four years on from their debut record Blue Eyed Emotion. The album itself may have been four years in the making since their maiden voyage, but the band have been busy in the meantime; their EP Appetite For Candlelight was released in 2017, as well as a live album the following year, A Cold Night Out.

The title track Winterider kicks things off for the new record. Right from the very first second those traditional power metal elements we have come to know and love over recent years come into fruition – the keyboards giving off a fantasy style sound, followed by big heavy riffs to knock the tempo up, and then the blast beats add another dimension to the metal element of EVERFROST‘s sound. Lead singer Mikael Salo is the definition of a power metal front man, his powerful vocals really transporting you into the mystical winter land and overall making the title track a fantastic opener.

The following track Juhannus in January nudges more on the heavier side compared to Winterider. The intro follows pretty much the same pattern – keyboards, followed by guitar then blastbeats. While the vocals start off in a more gentle tone, with Mikael accompanied by a harmonious piano, it doesn’t take long for the rest of the band to kick in, and there is certainly more emphasis on the percussion and riffs in this particular track as they carry you from start to finish.

From the name of the band and the album, it is no surprise to discover what the majority of the tracks are about in this record, as EVERFROST emphasise the winter inspirations with tracks such as Cold Night Remedy, Brandy and Antifreeze and A Whisper In A Frozen Tale. All of the aforementioned tracks are honourable mentions for the top picks, but one that really stands out is actually right near the beginning of the record – Chainlace Angel. While the intro follows the same pattern as the rest of the tracks in terms of structure, this track has a bit of an 80s throwback to it, with the keyboards echoing one of the biggest hits from that period of time Smooth Criminal.

It has taken four years for EVERFROST to finalise their second record, and from the end results it has been well worth the wait. The band have been able to create and establish their own identity, and each song follows a similar structure which gives the listener an idea of what to expect from the record. Winterider is certainly one for the power metal enthusiast, and even those who are looking to dabble into the genre it is well worth a listen to if you’re looking to dip your toe into it.

Rating: 7/10  

Winterider is out now via Rockshots Records. 

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