EP REVIEW: Hiraeth – The Wind Covenant

Italian metallers THE WIND COVENANT have spent the two years since the release of their debut album Conjuration working to carefully fine-tune their songwriting process. Their goal in taking this time was to create a uniquely personal and emotive release that defies the rules imposed by genre. The result of this process is their latest EP Hiraeth, which manages to embody much of what they have strived for. While it doesn’t reinvent their sound entirely, their scope as a band has clearly been broadened, giving them more room to explore their creative interests.

The sound that THE WIND COVENANT established on Conjuration was a blend of crushing deathcore vocals over technical instrumental work, with melodic hooks taking the reins during the occasional breaks in the heaviness. Hiraeth builds on that in several ways, thanks in part to some changes in their production. A clear delineation can be heard in the mix between the skills of each member, with the significantly dialled-up bass work on the opening track Beyond The Mortal Sight being the first obvious standout. It might seem small, but it really works in the band’s favour in their chase for uniqueness.

The band have also referenced their “black-gaze” influence on this EP. This can be heard coming through on Doomed, particularly with the rapid drumming which adds a blackened atmosphere to the track. Even with these peppered changes to their sound, their deathcore/metalcore DNA refuses to be left behind. The lead single The Wonders We Leave Behind is the best summary of the combination of sounds they’re experimenting with here – the opening intro and guitar/bass work brings technical heaviness in a very MESHUGGAH way but is layered with their signature deathcore vocals and a massive clean chorus. You could accuse the band of trying too much with this track, but it’s hard to do when the result is this solid.

Hiraeth is a dark and volatile release that bursts at the seams with the emotion and precision that THE WIND COVENANT have pressed into it. Their blueprint has evolved to become somehow more technical and accommodating of their talents and their broader interests, piling in plenty of their established brutality and the opposing melodic choruses along the way. There’s plenty to love in this short release, and with any luck the more unique elements will be taken forward and expanded on in the future.

Rating: 8/10

Hiraeth is set for release on March 8th via Seek & Strike.

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