The heavy/power metallers Winterborn from Finland return this year with their second release, following their debut “Cold Reality” in 2006, which had received excellent press feedback and managed to present them with their first European tour supporting  Doro.

They were formed in 2004 and after many line up changes during 2007 and 2008, the six member group finally released their second album “Farewell to Saints” on April 24 of this year. The sound of Winterborn combines the classic heavy/power sound with the more melodic heavy lines, but is also contains some progressive elements which are incorporated in their sound, creating a very interesting result.

The album consists of 10 songs full of striking riffs, interesting melodies, but also many changes from more dynamic to more hard rock parts and varying from power metal to more progressive lines. A big advantage is the very good and characteristic voice of their singer, Teemu Koskela, as well as the constant and interesting changes among the excellent guitar solos and the keyboards. All the songs are very good and the album is one of the few that can be heard many times from the beginning till the end. If I have to choose the ones that mostly stand out, are the inaugural “Black Rain”, the exceptional ballad “Overture 1939”, the capturing “Land of The Free” with its catchy chorus,  “Emptiness Inside”, an incredible song of which the intro and the guitar lines remind of Queensryche and “Another World”,  the longest track of the album (10,5 minutes), which is a song that not only isn’t it tiresome, but is also creates a plurality of sentiments with its multiple and beautiful themes.

Constructively, we could say that the Scandinavian bands do not cease to amaze us every time in a pleasant way with the quality of their music ensembles, but also with their synthetic abilities. If you are into melodic heavy/power with progressive references and capturing, sentimental vocals, this album is definitely for you.