Back in 2012, in a short review of the song “The Swart Raven,” I wrote, “I’ve never understood why Winterfylleth aren’t one of the biggest (or bigger, anyway) black metal bands in the world.” That sound bite turned up in the press materials for the band’s 2014 LP, The Divination Of Antiquity, and while such sentiments have a tendency to curdle with time, in this case, I find it to be even more applicable than it was two years ago. Where once Winterfylleth operated in the (admittedly long) shadows of bands like Agalloch and Wolves In The Throne Room, they’re now functioning on the highest possible level. On The Divination Of Antiquity, Winterfylleth scaled back the folk elements that defined the band’s previous work, not eliminating them, but integrating them in subtler ways, leading to an altogether more enthralling result. You can still hear them in the band’s clear and abundant use of melody, which is even more pronounced here than it was on previous albums. The album’s towering lead single, “Whisper Of The Elements,” integrated a choral section at its incredible climax. In a statement about the song, Winterfylleth frontman Chris Naughton said, “This is the first time we’ve ever sung choral vocals over a blast beat section and done extreme vocals at the same time. I think it makes for a spine-tingling experience if you listen closely.” I sincerely could not agree more. –Michael [LISTEN]