It’s been a very long time since we last heard any news from Sorrowful Winds and quite honestly I didn’t expect to be treated with a brand new album by the Athenian band as their last full length album (“The Age Of Dreams”) was released back in 2001. So, you can imagine our surprise when we received “Non-Aligned” and truth be told here we were more than happy about it as it became evident right from the first listening session that Sorrowful Winds were triumphantly back!
The quartet has worked tirelessly on the new album and the final result does justice to their painstaking efforts as “Non-Aligned” doesn’t fall short of the rest of the albums that are being released nowadays from all the top bands from abroad. Their power-prog style brings in mind Nevermore (the vocals on “Wind Blown Song” by Mike I. would make Warrel Dane proud), a little bit of Candlemass while the careful listener will surely notice some scattered King Diamond elements in there. Personally, I’d say that “Non-Aligned” is the ideal crucible of the US power-prog genre that reigned in the first half of the 90s. Another striking characteristic element of the album is the dark and sinister atmosphere that ties perfectly with the overall style of the compositions while the band’s guitarist, Thanasis Hatziagapis, provides the ideal sonic underlay of both melodic and sharp guitar work.
In a time and age when all the Greek bands strive for recognition and try really hard to come up with respectable albums, Sorrowful Winds succeeds in both aspects as “Non-Aligned” proves that anything ca be achieved with hard work, perseverance and will. Let’s just hope that it won’t take them another 13 years for their next record!
Highlight: Excellent cover artwork and imaginative booklet.
