Vintras are a UK black metal band and this is their debut album.
Here’s a tasty blackened treat from earlier in the year that you really need in your life. Brought to us by members of Ageless Summoning, Ashen Horde, Evilyn, Norse, Of Spire and Throne, Sluagh, Somnium Nox, and Virulent Depravity, I couldn’t help but expect good things from Vintras. And believe me, Timescarred does not disappoint.
Containing 52 minutes of material, Timescarred is an atmospheric black metal album with depth and scope. It spans mighty epic grandeur and expressive aggressive fury, while still providing intimate texture in its more reflective moments.
Vintras combine elements from the classic and modern strains of black metal, alongside shades of post-blackened resplendence and touches of a folk influence in some of the melodies. In this way, if you think of Vintras as a mix of bands such as Agalloch, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Panopticon, Wiegedood, Winterfylleth, and Uada, then you’ll be in a good position for approaching Timescarred. It should be noted though that despite this illustrious company, Vintras succeed in carving their own niche and having their own voice.
Timescarred is an album that focuses on atmospheric immersion, but without lacking venomous bite. Whether they drag you down into the dirt and brutalise your prone mortal form, or lift you up to the heavens on wings of melodic grace, Vintras offer a compelling listening experience for fans of black metal to become absorbed in.
The well-crafted music blends instant appeal with a longevity that comes from satisfying composition. There is detail and substance in the songwriting, allowing Vintras to produce songs that reward the listener who visits them repeatedly. There is much to like upon first exposure to the band’s blackened charms, but getting to know the songs properly reveals just how engaging and enjoyable they are. Despite boasting great atmosphere and blazing hostility, Vintras don’t hide behind these. Instead, they let the songwriting do all of the work, bringing in the appropriate mood, feeling, structure, style, or pace as is necessary to tell the tales they want to tell, or to portray the emotions they want to evoke. This is one of the reasons that Timescarred is so effective – the songs come first.
All of the band deliver strong performances, repeatedly and richly, but I must note the singer especially. His vocals are in the classic blackened rasped/screamed style, and I have to say I really like his voice. It’s not just how it sounds, but also his rhythms and patterns, how he fits in with the music, and the fact that he enunciates unexpectedly well. His performance allows you to grasp onto his voice like it’s leading the narrative accompanying landscapes that the music evokes.
As you may have gathered, I really like this. Timescarred is an underground gem, one that deserves much more exposure and recognition for its quality than it’s unfortunately likely to get. Either way, make sure you don’t miss out. Immerse yourself in the blackened waters of Timescarred, and let Vintras carry you away.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 