Not much is know about metal from Austria. Enter WALDGEFLÜSTER. Remaining quite a mystery due to all information being in Austrian language, I have gathered that this one man band was formed in 2005 in Niederösterreich Austria by Winterherz. Though choosing to record alone, this band does take on several other members for live performances. Having previously released a demo in 2006 entitled Stimmen im Wind. Herbstklagen is WALDGEFLÜSTER’s first official release through Black Blood Records.

Onto the music that is WALDGEFLÜSTER. Beginning with an intro that involves wind and acoustic guitar I wonder what is in store for my ears. Song two, Wolfsgeheul, rushes into some aggressive forest metal. Reminiscent in some aspects of Taake and at other times I am completely reminded of Opeth. The music dwindles between the two sounds. The guitars are incredibly melodic, and played black metal style. The vocals of Winterherz are for the most part, growled, but there are times when clean vocals are inserted here and there. There is a pattern here as the album progresses. Lots of sounds of the forest can be heard, from birds to wind, and if you listen real hard you might here it whip through the trees. Song four, Wotan Sang, is probably the gem of the album. The melody of the guitars is ever so enchanting and passionate. The drums sound real, but I can not be certain if they are programmed or not. Whatever the case, I like their steady beat mixed on top of the double bass, and sometimes they transform into blast beats. Song 5, Herbststürme, really sounds like an Opeth song. The essence of it, and the way the guitars are played, and the length. It has the same type of atmosphere, and there is even some somber piano thrown in the middle amongst the sounds of rain. I begin to wonder if Opeth is a heavy influence on WALDGEFLÜSTER. Song six, Von Einsamkeit, gets us rocking heavy again. I can’t go on enough about the guitar playing on this album. Winterherz really has true talent when it comes to the melodies he produced for this album. I think I hear a bit of reverb on his vocals on this tune. Herbstklagen was superbly recorded, for being just one person, it sounds as if there are five men in this band. Each instrument nicely arranged in the mix. No muddy recordings here.

Overall, WALDGEFLÜSTER’s brand of forest metal can satisfy those of us who are looking for something melodic and different. Fans of melodic metal and well as black metal will dig this.