Dark Progressive Classical Metal
( official site: www.winds.ws )



Norway's classical/progressive metal supergroup WINDS will release their anticipated new album, entitled 'Prominence and Demise,' on Sept. 4th, 2007 via THE END RECORDS.

On the new opus, the four talented musicians of WINDS - vocalist Lars E. Si (Age of Silence), guitarist Carl August Tidemann (Tritonus, ex. Arcturus), drummer Jan Axel von Blomberg (Arcturus, Mayhem, Dimmu Borgir) and keyboardist Andy Winter (Age of Silence, Sculptured, ex. Subterranean Masquerade) - have explored new ideas to help strengthen and further develop their unique music.

'Prominence and Demise' took three years to record, and the band has utilized all their talents and perseverance to bring their musical creativity to new heights. For the first time ever, the band was also joined by several respected guests - Agnete M. Kirkevaag (Madder Mortem), Lars Nedland (Borknagar, Solefald), Dan Swano (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale, ex. Bloodbath) and Oystein Moe (ex. Tritonus, Ulver) - who have each brought their own artistic touch to the album. The band has yet again recorded with musicians from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra for this release.

The beautiful cover art that adorns the album and captures the album's magnificent momentum, was created by none other than renowned cover artist Travis Smith (Opeth, Amorphis, Devin Townsend), who has been collaborating with WINDS on all of their artwork since their first full-length album.

'Prominence and Demise' is easily the most complex recording experience of this established band's near 10 year long career. WINDS is a band known for their eloquent classical passages and virtuoso guitar work, and the new album provides the listener with bold arrangements, lengthier songs, powerful vocals and an edgier sound.

'Prominence and Demise' features the creative core of Winds:
Lars E. Si - Vocals (Age of Silence, Before the Dawn, ex. Khold, Sensa Anima, Tulus)
Carl August Tidemann - Guitars (Tritonus, ex. Arcturus)
Jan Axel von Blomberg - Drums (Age of Silence, Arcturus, Mayhem, Dimmu Borgir, ex. Kovenant)
Andy Winter - Keys (Age of Silence, Sculptured, ex. Subterranean Masquerade)
 
Four esteemed guests:
Agnete M. Kirkevaag - Soprano Voices (Madder Mortem)
Lars Nedland - Alto Voices (Age of Silence, Borknagar, Solefald)
Dan Swano - Tenor Voices (Edge of Sanity, Nightingale, Second Sky, ex. Bloodbath)
Oystein Moe - Bass (ex. Tritonus, Ulver)

Also appearing from the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra:

Andre Orvik - First Violin
Vegard Johnsen - Second Violin
Dorthe Dreier - Viola
Hans Josef Groh - Cello