Winds - Reflections Of The I

Year of Release: 2002
Label: The End Records
Catalog Number: TE025
Format: CD
Total Time: 60:32:00

It's always a pleasant surprise to hear something different, something that is original, but not forced. Reflections Of The I is one of those surprises due to its dark atmosphere and structure, heavy riffing, thought-provoking lyrics, and alluring mood. Add to that five bonus tracks, which made up their first release entitled Of Entity And Mind, a spectacular cover by the talented Travis Smith, and for the price of $11.00 (USD), including shipping, the End Records gives you a CD that will take you into a soothing musical journey, one like no other.

Being their second album, it's a great fact that Winds can be compared to no one, at least in my opinion. Some say they are like Arcturus, or one of the bands that some of the members have been a part of, but I really don't see the reason for that comparison. In all truth, this CD is extremely relaxing, never hitting brutal or constant aggression. Instead of being set in one spectrum, this album contains many alterations between heaviness, mostly at the guitar end, and beautiful piano and keyboard work by one of my new favourite musicians, Andy Winter, who also does a good job of production here. To compliment the sense of beauty, a string section (the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra) was used, which should give the listener a strong sense that this CD is very classically influenced.

The guitar work is mixed in well, and some riffs, as in "Passion's Quest" and "Of Divine Nature," are truly amazing. Carl August Tidemann also creates some serene and "deep" solos, plus some cool fast sweeps. Also, the rhythm section compliments the alternations effectively. The short instrumentals, "Transition" and the Rachmaninov inspired "Predominance," give the CD a certain flow, like poetry or even a dramatic movie. The singer's voice fits the existentialistic lyrics; it fits the journey of emotion and reflection that this album conveys.

Sometimes, Reflections Of The I can be a bit boring, and you do have to be in the right mood for most of the songs; yet, it's well done and original. Though, I still think Winds can perfect the genre for which they strive for.

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Clarity (2:15) / Realization (4:54) / Of Divine Nature (4:38) / Transition (1:18) / Passion's Quest (4:51) / Reason's Desire (5:13) / Premonition (2:01) / Remnants Of Beauty (5:40) / Existence (3:50) / Continuance (3:11) / Predominance (1:08) / Bonus Tracks: Inception Perspective (1:29) / In All Reflections (4:23) / Bloodstained And Sworn (5:49) / Mirrored In Time (5:01) / An Eternity Of Dreams (4:51)

Musicians:
Lars Eric Si - vocals, bass
Jan Axel von Blomberg - drums
Andy Winter - keyboards
Carl August Tidemann - guitars

Guest musicians:

Drajevolitch - voice
Vegard Johnsen - violin
Stig Ove Ore - viola
Hans Josef Groh - cello

Discography:
Of Entity And Mind (EP) (2000)
Reflections Of The I (2002/2005)
The Imaginary Direction Of Time (2004/2005)
Prominence And Demise (2007)

Genre: Dark-Doom Metal

Origin NO

Added: July 24th 2005
Reviewer: Shawn "Zero Hour" Lakhani
Score:
Artist website: www.winds.ws
Hits: 2151
Language: english