Many things have changed in WINTERHORDE since the predecessor called Nebula. I was quite surprised by the musical approach of this latest effort Underwatermoon.

The first difference concerns the music itself – the once furious Black Metal is partly replaced by an epic concept, which rather reminds me of Blind Guardian nowadays than Catamenia in former days.
I can also hear a change concerning the vocal arrangements, because the harsh timbre only takes a little part of the performance. The alternation is boosted by clear voices and multi-vocal, partly opera-like passages.
WINTERHORDE know how to compose with demand and they dare to use the one or other weird element. I come across crazy guitar licks or smart keyboard playfulness.
I definitely want to mention the wonderful acoustic guitars on this release. In addition, unloading instrumental parts disperse easy-going moods, ere they get dissolved by the next complex part.
You will need a lot of time to experience the extremely broad arrangements, because catchiness is not highest priority on WINTERHORDE’s list.
Consequently, I could not find obvious hits on this album, but this work creates a dense atmosphere and integrates some progressive elements. The feelings oscillate from haunting over embossed to then depressed melancholy.
The music expresses the ambivalence of the concept, which deals with the different effects of the sea, namely might, fascination and beauty on the one side, as well as destruction or death on the other side. A well dosed pinch of complexity adds interesting zest and some refrains offer real ear candy potential after a while. Some tracks feature a certain oriental touch. Last but not last, the speed oftentimes changes in unobtrusive way.

Underwatermoon is definitely no easy-listening music. It is hard to dive into the musical and lyrical depths. After a few listenings, the fan can certainly detect an ocean of heart-warming details.