Reflections of the I

Winds | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 9, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: The End Records
• ASIN: B000063DJ1
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,283 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The last person who reviewed this obviously doesnt know anything, January 22, 2006

By 

Carlos F. Hong Beirute (San Jose, Costa Rica) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reflections of the I (Audio CD)

i hope the review Sergio Morales didnt turn off a person from buying this marvelous record.its so funny really,,when he says that this album has flat guitar work,please..and then he goes by the really laughable comment of"they dont even play the symphonic instruments! how do they tour??",,im asuming he thinks every band must tour and or hasnt heard of synths,,,and the fact that one can arrange music for instruments you dont play doesnt pass through this ignorants mind

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WINDS...the most soothing metal out there., January 5, 2006

By 

goth/hardcore/black/grind "GATES OF ABBADON" (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reflections of the I (Audio CD)

Well first off I will start off by saying that I have owned this CD for many, many months now and I have to say, that I can still listen to it over and over again without getting tired of it. The orchestra and the guitars combined with one of the most soothing voices in metal (besides Opeth) has got to be the greatest combination EVER! I've read a lot about how some people think that they have too many guitar solos...and I have to say..."quit being so jealous, put on the headphones and enjoy the greatest guitars on this earth!" THEY NEVER PLAY THEIR GUITAR TOO MUCH, EVER. It is all perfectly harmonized to create the soothing sounds of the orchestra and the insane guitar, and still not over do it. These guys are pure talent...no questions asked...no ifs, ands, or buts about it. They are not trying to create a "im alone and no one is out there," thing, they are just merely attempting something that hasn't been done before. AND THEY WERE SUCCESFULL!!

The vocalist...he has the best voice I have ever heard. He can sing, and I will say it one more time for emphasis...HE CAN SING. Contrary to what "Sergio Morales" thinks this is the FARTHEST thing away from an emo-hardcore voice. Becuase, first of all, I ABSOLUTLEY DESPISE EMO WITH A PASSION, and second, hardcore/metalcore just happens to be my favorite type of metal. So I belive I would know what that sounds like. If you are a fan of Opeth then you will LOVE the way he sings and you will ultimatly fall in love with every waking moment on the CD. My advice is not to listen to "Sergio Morales," and discover what true talent Winds posseses.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Winds capture moments of mind and soul adrift, March 26, 2006

By 

CharlieRaphael "Carlos" (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reflections of the I (Audio CD)

Winds is an orchestral maneuver in darkness. Only ocassionally does the band allow for light to pierce through and claim some semblance of joy in what is a reflection of sorrows and darkness in the mind of the i. First track "Clarity" sets the stage with listful violins and cellos which kick in dramatically with rat-a-tat drums from Mayhem and Kovenant drummer Hellhammer aka Jan Axel Von Blomberg and a vocalist who's style is one part Peter Steele of Type O Negative and equal parts Dishwalla, Opeth, and Marcy Playground. This creates a vocal melody that's fresh and constant of change. This is grand scale with minimalism in effect. Track two "Realization" continues the dark journey as it presents the listener with the key to the abyss which can be reflected in i.

The guitars are embellishments. They are the window dressing. Never do they take center stage but never are they lost and speak only when appropriate throughout the musical presentation. Think Yngwie Malmsteen with less ego.

Realization gets heavier towards the end with Hellhammer dishing up a plate of unrelenting double bass drums. Track #5 "Passions Quest" is a power metal epic which is one of the few times when light and brightness is allowed to shine through. No doubt this is the hope in the impending doom. It's soars and aurally it catches the right mood at the right time. Then as soon as you feel it's alright to smile then we're dragged back into the abyss with stalking vocals and calculated vocal motives.

The next few songs appear to be a melding of Ynwie Malmsteen and Opeth like compositions that never quite reach power metal but still retain an epic power metal feel.

Track #9 "Existence" offers the first real noticeable change in tempo and character since Track 3 "Of Divine Nature" in that this is once again soaring power metal with grandiose guitars and drumming with deep/clean vocal exchanges. This will satisfy those fans of Kamelot, Blind Guardian, or Helloween.

Tracks 10 and 11 set the stage for the brooding menace that follows. Slowed tempos and Opethian vocal harmonies hook handedly drag the listener into the darkest reaches of the subconscious. This is the point in the movement that we hear the Type O Negative influences manifesting themselves on Winds.

Track #12 is one of the darkest and in my humble opinion the best song. This is when our deepest desires to skulk and taste of the southern lips of creation, invited or uninvited. We sway in sexual disabandon.

By track #14 "Bloodstained And Sworn" we are in the throes of blood, sweat, and sex. We are not innocent. we are the secret desires of the blackened i.

Track 16 leaves us an "Eternity of Dreams" that begin to lift us back from that drenched bath in reflective darkness with a cold hand and a legitimate apology for taking us where we may not wish to enter or be reminded of...but it is with that realization in mind that WINDS takes us on this jounrey of mind and soul...an aural road winding and only slightly lit...as we are given a relection of the i and made to remember what made us yesterday and what will recreate us tomorrow.