There comes a time where those who perceive must question the idealism found in “beauty”. Is it a rose, a glistening sunrise on a picturesque beach or the deep rumble of an American muscle car? Everybody has an opinion that will differ from the next. This extends into, “how is it beautiful?” Rather than focusing on the simpler but unjustified, “yes it is a work of beauty”. More often than not, people are going to see things in completely different ways which in turn transcends the norm of a yes or no subject matter. As time moves on and those making these choices have seen more, it becomes harder to pick the single perfect rose in a vibrant and well-kept rose garden, but the search goes on because of its simple existence. There is not much to achieve by continuing a search for perfection, it’s hard to come by, but once found – well, it’s perfect. Take the example of nature; green, tranquil, harsh, lush a whole host of adjectives will come to mind. Enter Frigoris’ Wind mid-way through 2013 and all of those same adjectives play a part in describing just what the album is.

Wind is a swirling contrast of elegance and intensity, culminating in a spectacular display of musical ingenuity combined with a higher sense of melancholy, which gives life to the atmospheric black metal genre by relying on the genre’s most natural elements. If there was one album released in a modern setting that would surpass the genre’s fathers, Frigoris have created it. Crafting folk-y melodies and acoustic sections with crushing chords and furious, yet even paced double bass drum work might not seem that much out of the ordinary these days, yet Frigoris’ 2013 record pushes past the stereotypes, giving life to these ‘apparently’ done before soundscapes. In fact, it’s the layering of the album that allows each and every part from the clean female croons to the dark, screeching male shrieks to take hold, but the vocals are far from the only interesting aspect of this release. It may take more than a single listen to hear all the “background” of sounds. Underneath the tremolo notes and ringing chords, lies a distinct but subtle melody, harmonising with both the instrumental aspect of the album and of the vocals which weave and float towards the next passage. Wind fails to drag at any point. At just under a fair fifty minutes, each track holds the interest of the listener without dulling the effect Wind will have. Then again, this may not be for your ‘conventional, casual listener’. The lyrics often cross languages and the track lengths are a little longer than your radio hit, but music like this wasn’t made for the radio, it’s too rich and too vibrant, not to be watered down. It is unfair however that only a certain amount of people will be graced with the chance to listen to this, not because of its availability, but its quality. It’s intimidating to think that this sort of melancholy can be tied together so well with intensely, aggressive themes and at the same time not forcing any of the elements.

Frigoris is a long way from the band’s pagan metal beginnings found in the debut, Dominik Winter in 2007. Wind is a culmination of sorts for an act that is not about to stop growing. It takes a lot of work to be perfect; however Wind remains a true form of “beauty”. It may not be the elusive perfect “rose” or the sense of satisfaction when something goes right when you really need it to. Instead, Frigoris’ beauty comes in the form of a musical dominance that exceeds the expectations of the listener and the rest of the genre. If the listener doesn’t fully understand all the layering and the deep lyricism, you should only listen again or risk missing out completely. Wind is more than worth the time to sit, enjoy and be swept away in this melancholic display of intense natural beauty. Sure there may be enough of the stereotypical soundscapes to please the genre’s die-hard fans, but look further and experience one of modern metal’s finest offerings. This album is an expansive display of talent, and has every right to be.

Rating: 4.9/5
Reviewed by: Robert Garland