Old Wainds - Death Nord Kult

April 23, 2009

Reviewer: Peter

In recent years, Russia has been known for churning out some good folk metal bands.  However, the country has also come forth with a few black metal bands, with Mental Home being the most recognizable of the group.  One band that has been waiting to gain recognition on North American soil is Old Wainds.  Having honed their craft in the town of Murmansk, the band draws its inspiration from the literally cold temperatures and desolate landscapes, as the town is actually north of the Arctic Circle.  Their North American debut Death Nord Kult won’t win points for originality, but its approach to black metal will earn some respect amongst its peers.

Old Wainds plays a simple style of old school black metal that relies on raw production, unforgiving guitar riffs, and vocals that can send chills up the spine.  That description pretty much is Old Wainds in a nutshell, as they don’t do anything fancy with their sound.  Having said that, it would be easy to say that the band is at a big disadvantage; however, they make the most out of what they are given, as “Cruel Black Dead” and “Bloodstained” show.  All of the songs are characteristic of the band’s no-frills approach to black metal, and that plays to the band’s strengths of doing with what they have instead of trying to make something happen without the necessary tools.  The vocals are harsh, yet don’t reach banshee levels.  The guitars mostly rely on a given set of riffs, yet still bring in the listener with its hypnotic rhythms and while the drumming isn’t overpowering, it helps keeps things in order.  The production values are raw, giving it a colder sense in the atmosphere.  Even with the true to the letter traditional black metal style, Old Wainds still has its limitations, though that isn’t any fault of their own.

They say it isn’t how much you have, but what you do with it.  In the case of Old Wainds, this couldn’t be more true.  A lack of resources will keep the band from reaching out to a broader audience, but that’s the way the band likes it.  Their style of music is as cold and unforgiving as the lands on which they inhabit. If you’re looking for a Dimmu Borgir clone, then Old Wainds isn’t the band for you.  However, if you prefer black metal the way it was performed when it began, by all means, pick up Death Nord Kult.  It’s simple, yet effective.

Release Date: April 21, 2009
Label: Moribund Records

TRACK LISTING

1. Storm-Whip
2. Once Moonlight...
3. Cruel Black Dead
4. Bloodstained
5. Cold Twilight of the Worlds
6. Born of the Freezing Dark
7. Death Nord Kult
8. Cold Northern Order

Total playing time: 35:41

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