ALBUM REVIEW: Winterage – Nekyia

WINTERAGE’s previous album The Inheritance Of Beauty came up on my recommendations of 2021 and it made my top three albums. So when I heard they were due to release a follow-up, I was eager to hear it. Nekyia takes a much darker and more theatrical turn in terms of the music and lyrics, I probably should have guessed as much when I heard the album closer The Amazing Toymaker on the previous album.

It starts off in a similar way the previous release does and that is with a completely orchestral track titled Apertio ad Profundum, this gears you up for what’s about to follow on. It transitions to Simurgh The Firebird that displays determination and majesty. The track contains a grand melody that reminded me of what drew me to WINTERAGE in the first instance.

There is an array of grand and majestic melodies across this album. This album tells a story of wonder, grandeur and mystery, each chapter is as wonderful as the last and it takes you out of reality for the duration of this tale. Let me delve into some of my favourite chapters of this remarkable story.

I am personally glad they released Numen as a single recently. It’s a bombastic, majestic track that has a grand melody that will be swimming around your head for days. I wouldn’t be surprised if this became a new symphonic metal anthem.

The first thoughts when listening to the title track was if NIGHTWISH had composed the soundtrack to The Nightmare Before Christmas. Two of my favourite things in one track is a great thing that happens very rarely. The gothic undertones in the symphonic arrangements sound very similar to Danny Elfman and the metal is very NIGHTWISH-esque. This track kept and caught my attention. The scene when Jack Skellington is walking through the woods before stumbling on the Holiday Trees come to mind. This is all being done whilst WINTERAGE keep to the core of their sound.

I have often said in my reviews that the best openers lure you in whilst hitting you with a huge impact. Dark Enchantment proves that those that appear in the middle of the album have this mighty power too. It starts off with cult like chants before abruptly changing into a bombastic tune that wouldn’t be out of a place in an action packed scene of a film. Imagine Lord Of The Rings and Fantasia in the same universe, Dark Enchantment will give you a strong idea on what that sounds like.

Metamorphosis, a Macabre Ritual is a mix of different elements that keep the listener on their toes; there is enough to keep them interested but not so many that you get lost along the way. There is a snippet of a well-known classical piece in this track, that alongside the metal arrangements add to the grandeur. Can you guess what piece it is? Here’s a clue; it can be heard in the shows What We Do In The Shadows and Jonathan Creek.

Nekyia is a strong symphonic metal gem that stand WINTERAGE in great stead. Whether you are a long time fan of the band or a new listener, you will not be disappointed with this record.

Rating: 9/10

Words: Lotty Whittingham