Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 26/05/2017
Label: Brutal Panda Records
“Too Many Winters” is a captivating collection of
powerful doom steeped in Norska’s unorthodox and compelling personality.
“Too Many Winters” DD//LP track
listing:
1). Samhain
2). Eostre
3). Too Many Winters
4). This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
5). Wave of Regrets
6). Fire Patience Backbone
The Review:
“Samhain” acts as an appropriate welcome
into Norska’s
dark sonic world. Passages of rumbling Melvins-style riffage shift into spiky guitar
lines reminiscent of early Mastodon that usher in a furious finale imbued
with spirit of true heavy metal. The combination of these elements alone would
make for a thrilling ride but the band inject their own distinct, murky
atmosphere to create an air of compelling mystery.
The central
duo of the title track and “This Is Why
We Can’t Have Nice Things” form the mind warping pinnacle of “Too Many Winters”. The former opens in
familiar fashion with complex discordant melodies forming the basis of the
band’s attack before the track takes a left turn into the unknown. The noise
falls away to an eerily quiet nightmarish lullaby complete with heavily
effected guitars that sound as if they are shivering. Jim Lowder’s vocals are
excellent throughout the album, but when he moves from aggressive barks and
screams to deliver the finale of this track in an otherworldly clean baritone
it is truly odd and effective. The snail-paced doom of “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” provides more opportunities
for Lowder to demonstrate his talent, ramping up the ominous tension in the
spaces between the band unleashing slabs of crushing full-volume riffage.
“Too Many Winters” is a captivating
collection of powerful doom steeped in Norska’s
unorthodox and compelling personality.
“Too Many Winters” is available here
