Evilfeast "Isenheimen" CD

Tracks 1 - 3 are taken from the Isenheimen / Abyss Calls... split w/ Marblebog. Recorded at Funeral Sound Studio during the Winter of 2006 / 2007. Track 4 is a bonus track. Recorded at Funeral Sound Studio in Summer / Autumn of 2013.

Given how I reviewed a virgin Evilfeast album a little over a year ago, I figured I'd do this same thing with another Evilfeast record that deserves more attention. In 2018, GrimSpirit would release a new EP titled "Isenheimen", consisting of four tracks that lasted 37 minutes. While it's not as strong as their other releases, I still have a lot of fun listening to it.
One thing to note is the instrumentals, in which they sound pretty standard as far as the Evilfeast formula goes. In the track "Isenheimen", we hear the same beats. The raw guitars that play some harsh, yet mysteries and atmospheric riffs, the drumming that sound fast and booming, and of course, those beautiful keyboards that play a nice and calming synth piece that contrasts the raw atmospheric black metal. Yet, despite not necessary being a game-changer in the band's discography, it still feels pretty fresh in terms of bringing in a cold atmosphere, and the best tracks that showcase this is "Dawn of Winter" and "My Journey into Cold Infinity". Dawn of Winter is a ambient/dungeon synth piece that sounds really relaxing and angelic, which arguably rivals some other S-tier ambient tracks from Evilfeast. My Journey into Cold Infinity also sounds more melodic and powerful than usual, and perfectly captures an atmosphere of feeling desolated in the middle of a brutal blizzard. It doesn't necessary reinvents the wheel, but it does still do a fantastic job at atmosphere and performance.
The vocals are also just as good. GrimSpirit does his typical high-pitched shrieks that, like I said with the instrumentals, sound standard for the band, but still really good nevertheless. One good example of this is in the bonus track, which is a cover for Infernum's "The Ancient Order". Being a more cold and atmospheric take of the original, GrimSpirit's shrieks not only enhance the pain and agony within the dark atmosphere, but the occasional grunts only further paint a devastating emotional picture about the ancient order that once stood. There may be a couple of hiccups in the execution, but the vocal performance is still as strong as ever.
Isenheimen might not necessary be as mind-blowing as other releases, but that doesn't take away from its brilliance. The instruments still sound fantastic, and GrimSpirit's vocals are still enough to bring chills to listeners. If you're aching for some cold and desolate black metal for the winter season, then you gotta give this EP a spin.

Sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...