The pure variation in black metal that occurs with barely even taking a step in either direction is something that will never cease to fascinate me as you’ll come across throngs upon throngs of bands that will swear allegiance to the many different corners of black metal that are hardly any different from the original vision, and I personally wouldn’t have it any other way. It tends to be the first wave of black metal that holds a real presence throughout the underground, overshadowing the second wave that has more than loads to dissect and choose from with its own vast following today that’s just as fiercely loyal. Far too long has it been since I’ve heard a worthwhile ever from the underground that channels the greatness of the second wave, but it was Castle of the Winds with its debut effort that has ended that unforgiving drought with a downright torrent of excellence.

We could sit here all day and nitpick the minor differences between the first and second wave with naught but bloody knuckles and headaches to be had at the end of the day so I will avoid such a minefield, but I stand firm in my belief that the second wave doesn’t get nearly enough attention for all that it accomplished for the world of black metal as a whole. There aren’t enough bands out there that owe reverence to the early 90s black metal in all of its scathing glory, and to simply see Castle of the Winds bring that very glory back into the light would be interesting to soak up even if this album failed in the necessary categories yet it’s around every cold, stony corner of “Until Segontium Burns” that this fresh name succeeds magnificently. With a medieval theme with British Isles overtures, it’s everything about this debut that is steeped in what many regard as some of the most attractive factors of that second wave where the cold atmospheres and bloodied grounds are no strangers to being paired alongside with a sense of majesty and wonder as there’s very selective use of synths that just one extra layer to the mixed that’s brought to the table wondrously. It is far from being different from what we’ve heard plenty of times before what “Until Segontium Burns” puts before us, but it’s with the eight tracks that are offered forth for what’s only the band’s debut album, Caste of the Winds has created a worthy vessel of the second wave greatness that we could always use more of in our lives with this record being the best possible first step forward that they could’ve made for themselves.

While the very deepest reaches of the underground of black metal will never cease to exist and expand, it is still hopelessly interesting to witness what all the style is still capable of when looking backwards in order to bring forth a classic sound that isn’t able to be replicated all that easily with bands like Castle of the Winds keeping us going with their injections of greatness that will always keep us coming back. Should the clocks wind back to twenty years ago, I’ve no doubt that “Until Segontium Burns” would have effortlessly earned its place alongside the hottest names of the second wave for all that it offers in its eight tracks with the future all but immensely promising should the band seize the opportunities as they come.

LISTEN to “Until Segontium Burns” on Bandcamp here.