Album Review: New Model Amry, Winter

Their two most recent studio offerings Between Dog And Wolf (released in 2013) and its sister mini-album Between Wine And Blood, released a year later, marked a creative renaissance in the band’s long story; the critics liked them too. They’ve gone one better again with Winter. Their fourteenth studio album, it is a powerful and emotionally intense body of songs that continue to explore new avenues and directions with real conviction. While the album boasts the familiar sounds and riffs that so enthuse their loyal fans, you can feel the creative shot in the arm that this line-up has given the band. Tracks such as ‘Burn The Castle’, ‘Devil’ and ‘Part The Waters’ are set to become live favourites, along with the title track and new 7” single ‘Winter’.

Operating outside of the mainstream, New Model Army and Justin Sullivan continue to play the music game on their own terms. Most bands would envy them their position of being able to produce what they want, when they want to, without having to contemplate any form of artistic compromise. With Winter, the results speak for themselves: without question, this is their finest release for 27 years.