DEFEAT The Winds have Changed CD

The 2016 CD edition of the album The Winds Have Changed by the American project Defeat, released through A Fine Day To Die Records, serves as a definitive and expanded version of material that first surfaced in 2014. Based in Pittsburgh and led by the multi-instrumentalist Vidarr, Defeat evolved from a raw black metal project into a sophisticated purveyor of Heathen Epic Metal. This album represents a shift toward grand, atmospheric compositions that draw heavy inspiration from the mid-period of Bathory, blending black metal foundations with the heroic melodies and mid-tempo rhythms characteristic of the Viking metal genre. Spanning over 70 minutes, the album explores themes of Norse mythology, heathenism, and ancient warfare through expansive tracks such as We Are The Guardians Of Asgard and From The Darkness Of Mimir's Well. The A Fine Day To Die Records version is particularly valued by collectors because it was professionally remastered and includes the exclusive bonus track The Storm of War, which was not present on the original cassette release. Limited to 500 hand-numbered copies, the CD presentation features a layout that mirrors the epic, cinematic nature of the music, emphasizing a cold yet triumphant atmosphere. By the time this edition was released, Vidarr had fully realized his vision of epic storytelling, creating a work that remains a standout in the North American heathen metal scene for its ability to balance harsh, rasping vocals with sweeping, melodic guitar leads and keyboard layers.