2nd album from 2017 by this Russian band and an ambitious conceptual work that further established SLEEPING WOODLAND within the European Viking Metal and Folk Metal scene. Released six years after the band's debut, "To the Northern Seas" was the result of a lengthy songwriting process during which Yuri Ovchinnikov and Andrey Koshevoy created an extensive saga inspired by Norse mythology, Viking legends and the frozen landscapes of the far north.
Musically, the album blends epic passages, cinematic atmospheres, Folk melodies and highly narrative compositions. Rather than focusing solely on aggression, SLEEPING WOODLAND favors expansive and evocative songwriting where acoustic sections, solemn choirs and adventurous arrangements coexist naturally. The result is a richly textured album filled with northern spirit, reflecting influences from acts such as BATHORY, MOONSORROW and ENSIFERUM while retaining its own distinct identity.
Recommended for fans of: MOONSORROW, ENSIFERUM, BATHORY, FALKENBACH.
