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Chimeres
"Originally named "R.I.P." and being a part of the scene since the late 80s, it was not until the mid 90s, and after various lineup changes, that Northwinds started to release their first demos. The "all seeing eye" of Black Widow got interested in the band and helped them release their godly debut "Great God Pan" in 1998, which was followed by the concept "Masters Of Magic" 3 years later. After various participations on some tribute albums for bands like Hawkwind, Black Widow and Death SS, the French wyrd doomsters finally presented us their third album, released in the summer of 2006.
With "Chimeres" the band once again celebrates the union of doom metal with progressive/folk rock, to create a style that successfully blends elements from the genres above. Northwinds are faithful disciples of Black Sabbath and Witchfinder General, and use them as guides around their musical paths, where the spirit of Comus lingers somewhere and often winks with a smile. Their music has a certain mystique and it is like a journey to another dimension, a fairy land of some kind, where everything is abstract, like the band's approach to the ideas that they attempt to incorporate together, and helps the songs sound well worked but also spontaneous. Seemingly jolly and merry, but melancholic in reality, most of the band's intoxicating melodies have their roots in the ground walked by Jethro Tull or Black Widow with that characteristic folk scent, which is not as strong as in "Great God Pan", for example, but it is still quite noticeable, in songs like "Never Never Land", or the ending of "Life On The Run". Generally the group's mid tempo doom metal is full of surprises to anyone willing to receive them, because obviously when we have such a treasury of musical themes in front of us, it takes some time for all the riches to be uncovered. The dynamics behind the album do not lie only within the power of riffs, but also deep in the atmosphere that the seducing harmonies create.
It is quite interesting and a little bit bold that the band decides to make a song ("Le Cercle Des Fees") in its native language. Interesting because we don't really have lots of traditional doom metal songs in French, and bold because this language is a - love it or hate it - case with most people. The result will definitely please those of the first group, as the song is one of the album's highlights, along with "Never Never Land", "Dusty Pictures" and the dark and beautiful "Winds Of Sorrow". The album also features two covers, the first is "Le Soir Du Diable" by the French progressive rock band Ange, where the singer's performance is outstanding, and the Witchfinder General classic "Friends Of Hell".
Overall, "Chimeres" is a definite choice for all fans of melodic doom metal, and the most mature work so far, from one of the most underrated and unique European doom metal bands." - Metal Archives