No stranger to the threshold of metal greatness, Canada once again emerges from the frost with Quebec-based symphonic warriors Trollwar and their latest EP – Tales From The Frozen Wastes.

This EP is the sixth studio release from the band; the first to be revealed after six frigid years. With an array of technical prowess and dynamic sound, this EP may only be 5 tracks in total, but it’s an adventure from beginning to end. Layered with intricate riffs, powerful black metal influence, and beautiful symphonic sound, this EP boasts some of the best metal that Canada has to offer. Those intrigued by the sounds of fan-favourites like Amon Amarth, Kalmah, and Equilibrium will be sure to be mesmerized by this one.

With the very ‘Prologue’ setting the scene for our wintery journey, you immediately get a sense of strength from the delectable performance of folk, symphonic, and cinematics all rolled into one. From the hum of strings, to the vibrant flute tune, the mystery and awe of this EP is brought forth in 2-minutes of perfectly curated imagery.

Following up with ‘The Unseen One’, that same cinematic flair is echoed through heavy riffs and an immediate clash of power. The speed comes in without hesitation, and the battering drums come as a punch to the face. Trollwar leaves nothing to be desired with this symphonic masterpiece, balancing a simple yet powerful chorus with a complexity of instrumentals from captivating drumbeats to a delicate piano solo from Kalmah’s very own Veli-Matti Kananen. This track leads the way in this EP’s epic journey, painting the path with blood and snow beneath the hooves of a relentless band of Warriors. Steadfast in their belief and their purpose, they stride ever-forward, enduring the whirling winds as they balance their existence between the world of the living and the world of the dead.

‘Bane Of The Underworld’ rides the heels of ‘The Unseen One’ with the same passion and fire, whilst bringing a switch in sound. Still vicious in its array of vocals and melodics, this track brings haste and unwavering fury with lyrics like “godsent dream of bloodshed, thundering up in the sky,” that really gets your adrenaline pumping. It’s a steady and hearty track that gives out impact and endurance with bouts of head-banging heaviness and unparalleled highs. Blended with epic riffs and fragile sound I can’t get enough of this track. It was an easy repeat track for me, one that came on wild solos, razor-sharp melody, and ferocious vocal highs. If I’m picking a favourite from this EP, it’s ‘Bane Of The Underworld’.

Not to be outdone is ‘In The Fields Of Frost’ that rides in with a signature story played out through vivid verses and steady rhythms. “Eons carved by shattered blade, caught in a struggle of might, the pale moon lost to the wild, baleful shadows walk the night,” lays out so much to imagine with the scene played out before unblinking eyes. It’s a track that goes hard for the story it wishes to tell, balancing lyrical imagery with a powerful track that melds together beautifully. It’s powerful and unyielding, still holding those dynamic riffs with the backing choir that really gives this track its cinematic glory.

Of course, what would any story be without an end? Our closure comes with ‘The Offering’ ft. the clean vocals / choir of Atavistia’s Mattias Sippola. Drums are rapid and heavy on this one, with black metal vibes playing out through and through between vocal quips and seamless choir. The complexity of balancing dark growls with soaring highs is played out like an intricate dance. It’s both beautiful and dark, letting the music shadow the two, as if for a moment, to give them the spotlight they deserve. It’s the unstoppable army, the band of kin that marches forward through fire and ice, enduring what pain and loss has been brought upon them through guts and glory. Through mutiny, madness, and malice, the curse flows through them, timeless and relentless. It’s a fitting end for this dark, yet epic tale filled with fantastical battle and beautiful scenes that’s displayed through a creative performance of instrumental balance, ravaging drums, calculated choir, and perfectly timed cleans.

No scene outplays another on this vivid EP. From start to finish, the blend of orchestration and metal is curated in a way that the Fantasy plays through, while the harshness of its tale is presented with wicked solos, stunning riffs, and masterful sound. As a Fantasy fanatic, and a metalhead, this EP is a stunning display of talent and imagination, utilizing skill and story to present to us one hell of an adventure.