So, how did we get here? First, I found out that Wind Rose is the band that’s supporting Gloryhammer when they are playing in Trix in Antwerp, Belgium on January 19, 2020 together with Nekrogoblikon. I didn’t know who they were and wanted to know more. And then I found ‘Diggy Diggy Hole’.

At first I wasn’t quite sure if it’s the worst or the best song to get to know a band. But the musical quality is so good. The looks, the video, loud and clear guitars, … nothing to complain about. The reason why I wasn’t quite sure about the song, is because the song is kind of a joke that started years ago when a guy was playing Minecraft and talked about digging a hole in the game. He was saying the words diggy diggy hole. Then that turned into multiple songs and eventually, years and years later, it turned into a metal cover. And I love it. Wind Rose is just so good at digging holes. And, It’s a great way to get their name out there too. As I’m writing this, ‘Diggy Diggy Hole’ has 6.2 million views on Youtube. Their other videos have in average 500K views. Let’s check them out as well.

Another song where they made a video for is ‘Drunken Dwarves’. And wow. I’m blown away by that too. Instant head banging. A folky, low tuned guitar, power metal song with a scream passing through it. Lead vocalist Francesco Cavalieri’s voice is just perfect for this. As are their outfits. It all just falls into place. Get ready to dance! Can’t wait to see them live honestly.

The album opens up with ‘Of Iron and Gold’. The sound of dwarfs working in the mines and hitting the iron (and probably the gold). After this heroic intro, we’re ready for the title track of the album: ‘Wintersaga’. Which is just as heroic and danceable as the songs described before. It reminds me a bit of Korpiklaani’s style. I also love the scream in the middle of the song. It just gives that extra power boost.

‘The Art of War’ starts with a classic old school vibe. You know, the middle age kinda vibe. Followed by lower vocals and a folky sound. Get yourself a beer and sing along! ‘There and Back Again’ surprised me with fast drums, like the sound of a horse accelerating and going to battle. A minute later the music calms down. The horse has stopped and came to peace. Beautiful.

The whole album continues in this vibe. Fully determined to their role and job as dwarfs, you get sucked into this album and feel like you’re in a medieval environment where everybody is mining, getting gold, drinking and dancing. The guys of Wind Rose are the leaders of the pack. They rule in this universe and whether you want it or not, you will dance to their music.

Wind Rose is an awesome band that I discovered by the cover of ‘Diggy Diggy Hole’, which I loved. I thought it was just going to be this one song, but, as it turns out, the whole album is in this style. They poured their own style over the song and took it with both hands. It fits perfectly into the album and doesn’t even feel like a cover if you listen to the album. It could as well be an original song. A song that is, according to them, forged against the anvil.

‘Wintersaga‘ holds a great power metal/ folk metal mix and Wind Rose is exploring every side of it. Fast, slow, buildups, dancing, drinking beer, searching for gold, forging iron … so many different sides of the genre. Wind Rose really owns this. This is their style. Want to explore it too? They welcome you into their dwarf kingdom!

Definitely go check them out live on their European tour, like for instance at Trix in Antwerp, when they are supporting Gloryhammer and Nekrogoblikon. For other tour dates check their website.

Release date: September 27, 2019
Label: Napalm Records

1. Of Iron and Gold
2. Wintersaga
3. Drunken Dwarves
4. Diggy Diggy Hole
5. Mine Mine Mine!
6. The Art of War
7. There and Back Again
8. The King Under the Mountain
9. We Were Warriors