VONÜLFSRËICH’s previous album, “Ragnarök Rising”, was released in June 2022 and this one, their latest output, was released in December 2022. But it is not until now, May 2023, that the Polish label Fallen Temple has graced us with a CD version of “Miasmal Winds”. Now, seven months is not exactly a lot of time to come up with new arrangements plus recording and mixing an album. Usually, songs take a while to grow, develop and become album worthy. Or at least that is how I think. I really don’t know if this Finnish duo actually went through that whole process that fast or if they had all these songs laying around. But I do hear an evolution in their sound. I was lucky enough to review the previous album for Voices From The Darkside and this time around, VONÜLFSRËICH has decided to highlight their BATHORY and HELLHAMMER influences in form and content, luckily, without becoming a copycat. They have slowed down a bit, but in no way they have ceased to be poisonous and intense, with their music ranging from slow, open chord Doom like segments to Speed Metal paced parts and everything in between. There are also some clean guitar bits that add to the already dark and cold atmosphere. They even added a keyboard only song that allows the listener to breathe after four severely punishing tracks. Production wise, the sound is raw and in your face. It actually touches the “well recorded rehearsal” verge with (really) trebly guitar sound that is sometimes overpowered by the cymbals. On that side, the drums lack roundness and the bass is barely present, just enough to add a little bottom end where needed. I really like where the vocals sit in the mix. They are not in the spotlight, as usual, but treated as an integral part of the whole aural experience. Maybe it is not a breakthrough album and it may not bring anything new to the table. But I do think that “Miasmal Winds” is another solid album of cold and grim Black Metal the way it was meant to be. VONÜLFSRËICH delivers again! Band contact: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063680735156. And get this CD from their label at www.facebook.com/fallentemple666