Satanic Warmaster - Fimbulwinter (2014)

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Satanic Warmaster - Fimbulwinter (2014)

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For a band that remains submerged in the Finnish black metal underground, Satanic Warmaster has steadily become a surprisingly widespread cult phenomenon. The four years that have passed since Nachzehrer have been filled with singles and a live album, as the band’s growing popularity has foreshadowed a grand return of the barbarian wolves. With this in mind, one could easily have expected Fimbulwinter to arrive with resounding hype, yet project mastermind Werwolf has opted for a low-key release on his own Werewolf Records. Fimbulwinter immediately separates itself from the bulk of the Warmaster-discography with its markedly improved production values. The signature tin-can sound is scrapped in favor of a fuller mix, making for a significant departure from the raw atmospheres of Nachzehrer and especially Opferblut. Obviously we’re not talking about Satyricon-levels of slickness though, and despite the somewhat blunted sound, the furious drums and simple yet effective riffs all scream Satanic Warmaster. None of the songs here dip below the 5-minute mark, and consequently the punk rock approach has been toned down in favor of more varied compositions.