“Die Berge” takes a step towards a more atmosphere-driven realm than the predecessor “Geister”. The ambiance and the musical approach wander through the blistering churn of rhythm guitar and synth with the pacing of the drums. Mastermind Wintherr concentrates on the atmosphere by adding more keyboard passages and dark ambient black metal music, similar to the Swiss industrial black metal band Darkspace.

The song structure of Paysage d’Hiver is prominent in the opening song “Ugrund”. It begins with the sound of a brewing blizzard storm as the tremolos and the drum machinations give it a darker sound, the guitar work on the album is old-fashioned which will appeal to fans of 90s black metal.

Wintherr has maintained the signature sound intact therefore the quality here represents some of the best-crafted works of the composer, the album’s beautiful painting is in the style of Paysage d’Hiver in evoking the essence of the forest art and graced by icy-clad mountains.

Malicious grim vocals carried by tremolo-picked riffs emphasize the magnitude of the atmosphere that adds a glacial kind of dimensional width; the ambient elements; and the furious guitar riffs enhance the beauty of the compositions. “Verinnerlichung” is a fifteen-minute track that begins at a slower pace brimming it gradually with a foggy atmosphere of winter, the guitars and drum machine deliver a sound that can be described as surreal and breathtaking and give you a feeling that you are wandering through a blizzard.

In many ways, “Die Berge” is more grim and atmospheric than the sophomore; the music is more refined and there is a balance in the drumming technique that makes the blast beats sound powerful in the background. “Transzendenz I”, “Transzendenz II” and “Transzendenz III” are all varied and beautifully composed. These tracks display ambient elements, with the main riff centering on a slow tempo creating a hypnotic sense, often backed by melancholic guitar chords.

The fabulous combination of raw icy black metal and ambient textures intertwined with slow drum beats reminds me of bands like Forest Silence and Summoning. While “Transzendenz II” is dominated by the droning sound of the slow guitar patterns and drums, Paysage d’Hiver brings something unique, the music sprawls into slow and melodic tempo and the flickering keyboards in the background with the shrieking grim howls establishing a melancholic mood creating cold and wintry moments.

Wintherr highlights his craft and unique song arrangements in the track “Transzendenz III” and there seems to be an intensive work of the guitars and the drums adding an epic scope to the musical quality in these fourteen minutes.

Mastermind Wintherr leaves his mark in the realm of Nordic black metal, although Paysage d’Hiver’s music remains the same it shows how the songs build thrilling experiences in conveying a majestic sonic craft. In “Ausstieg” for example, the drum machine is harnessed to create an immense background effect with creepy and chromatic tremolo-picked riffs reminiscent of 90s Norwegian black metal.

The absolute majesty unfolds in such moments, when the blistering drum transitions explode like an avalanche from the highest peaks of the Alp Mountains. The swelling tremolos are driven through depressive landscapes, the vocals are full of harsh and evil shrieks mixed with high-pitched and accompanied by swelling drum beats.

The element of horror and bizarre soundscapes will certainly make you shiver, this is why Paysage d’Hiver continues to etch its grim mark, the lo-fi aesthetics and the melodic lines are well composed and surprisingly catchy when the synth and the guitar shimmer they add a brooding element. Paysage d’Hiver creates a surreal backdrop of bizarre, uncanny images.

Images of an ancient mystical realm that slithers from the hidden veil wandering off the vast landscape of cold winter in the seventeen minutes closure “Gipfel” is one remarkable song on the album, the dark guitar melody marches down into a slow, doomy middle section and there is plenty of space for the guitar melodies to shine.

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