WINTERSOUL

Back in the 1980s, Christian traditionalists wrote books warning parents of the evil in disguise that was "Christian rock", claiming it was just a sly trick by Ol' Scratch to help dirty, nasty rock and roll gain entry into otherwise God-fearing homes. These guys had a problem with bands like PETRA, STRYPER and BARREN CROSS. What they'd make of WINTERSOUL, a UK black metal outfit with art and tones as grim and harsh as any alabaster-faced bunch of cross-inverters out of Central Casting, is anyone's guess. It's not surprising that their existence has divided people on religious message boards, and led some to label them no better than the occult acts from which they draw influence.

I tell you all that to tell you this — I had no idea they were a Christian group until I found said arguments. Nothing in their presentation, not even an obligatory shout-out to Jesus Christ in the liner notes, tips their hand, unless you really give the lyrics a thorough study. They have goofy black metal names like Armoth and Nargath, their artwork looks like Satan had a sale on silver and gray ink... you get the idea. So on the other side of the coin, for all those who'd dismiss WINTERSOUL out of hand for their alleged beliefs... give 'em a shot first. Given the power and craft held within "Frozen Storm Apocalypse", it'll be well worth your time and effort.
At their best, WINTERSOUL are fast! They flail through some pretty textbook black metal convention, but they do it at the ludicrous speeds usually reserved for KRISIUN or NILE — insistent speed-picking and blast beats that are almost a blur, but are held in control by skilled players. They do attempt to change up the dynamics with some welcome bits of midtempo atmosphere, as on "Dark Winter Skies", which adds some muffled, slightly off-key female vocals in a gothic touch straight out of the more avant-garde 90's European Season of Mist and Holy Records roster. It's not entirely successful, but it's a nice attempt, and it does achieve the goal of providing a break from the manic speed. (The female vocals work better, though they're still a little off, as adornment to fast parts like the recurring theme in "Shadows of Death" — it's a nice contrast, and an area where these guys could develop their own identity with some more refinement).

WINTERSOUL's strength now, though, lies in their ability to crank it to overdrive and then keep a tight throttle on the burgeoning chaos. Their vision of black metal may derive inspiration from a different source, but it's fairly rote. What makes them interesting, and ultimately worth your time, is the precision speed and the ferocity of their delivery — it's a pummeling, satisfying blast through the conventions of the genre that stands out more for its sheer torque and power than any novel ideas. And really, what's so wrong with getting your head ripped off by some ace black metal for half an hour or so? Check them out.