Published: July 31, 2013

Frigoris is a German pagan black metal band formed back in 2007 by Dominik Winter. After the demo “Morgenröte” in 2008 and several line-up changes, the band self-released its debut full-length album “Nach dem Krieg…” in 2010. The line-up changes never stopped for the band, but they didn’t give up. In the end of 2012 they signed a one-record deal with the Canadian label Hypnotic Dirge Records and the South Korean label Misanthropic Art Productions, in order to release their second album “Wind” in May / June 2013.

“Wind” takes the band’s music many steps forward compared to their debut work. Even if they actually continue where “Nach dem Krieg…” ended, combining pagan black metal with acoustic guitars, their overall improvement is really impressive. The raw sound of the first work gives its place to a much warmer, mature and better produced sound. The album lasts over 48 minutes, with 8 songs totally, including a short intro and the 3-minute acoustic instrumental “Hauch“. Frigoris sound very melancholic and their music is based on the wonderful combination of melodic guitar riffs and leads with beautiful acoustic guitar passages. Dominik’s emotional yet aggressive black metal vocals sound warm and sad at the same time, while the few female vocals by their ex-member Melanie fit in very well! Their compositions are all well-written and their pagan black metal sounds much more melodic and atmospheric now. Their serene acoustic guitar passages have often a folk mood and they are very important in the song structures. They have balanced all their influences and sensibilities in a very tight result and I really like the turn their music has taken. All of their lyrics are in their native language, German and as far as I can tell they deal with nature, esoteric personal emotions and dark allegorical themes.

I recommend the new Frigoris work to all fans of melodic atmospheric pagan black metal. The band has composed a great album, much better than its first effort and I hope they continue this way in the future. “Wind” is co-released by Hypnotic Dirge Records and Misanthropic Art Productions in a limited to 500 copies standard jewel-case edition with 8-page booklet, including all lyrics. Responsible for the beautiful artwork is Halb Blind of Memento Mori Art. In their official pages you can find more info and sound samples for both of their albums.