Isengard – Vinterskugge (1995)

November 16, 2023

Whilst this is a collection of various different sessions, things are surprisingly coherent (that is until we get to Chapter Three perhaps). I’m happy to just sit and listen to Fenriz do his thing for a solid hour, I’ll be honest. The man is a talented songwriter, what can I say.

Musically, Vinterskugge is a collection of black and proto-black metal with Fenriz’s own personal touch and interesting flourishes, especially on the drums, although the riffs are not to be sneezed at. From an instrumental / “dungeon synth” perspective, track 5 (“In the Halls and Chambers of Stardust the Crystallic Heavens Open”) is one of the best things I’ve heard in the style for quite some time.

I don’t drink anymore but I really feel like a flagon of mead in front of roaring fire all of a sudden.