Archaic Winter - The Psychology of Death

Under Black Moons

Metalbolic
2006



From the frosty reaches of, uh, Durham, NC, comes the one-man wrecking crew that is Archaic Winter. Gregory Maupin handles all instruments and drum programming, while Peter Hasselbrack of Bloodsoaked notoriety turns in guest vocals. Expect basic, midpaced death metal with touches of black metal and doom. Occasional acoustic guitars and eerie clean tones, especially in "Under Black Moons," provide sonic depth. Despite the primitive artwork, the package is quite assured, with production that's both crisp and raw. At times, the playing is loose against the percussion, but on the whole, it has a nice sense of groove. The riffs are catchy and the arrangements are compact, making this album's 29 minutes an enjoyable ride. You can order it from Archaic Winter's MySpace.