Album Review - Winterun: Shadow

Winterun are a stoner rock outfit from Melbourne, Australia who have been slugging it out in the trenches of the independent music scene down under for over ten years. With this five song E.P., which is the band’s first release since 2007’s Into the Underground (and fourth overall), these Aussies are hoping to whet your appetite for their groove heavy tunes prior to the release of their next full length album, which is scheduled to drop later this year. If you’re familiar with the band, then you don’t need me to tell you how much ass they kick. But for those who have yet to be initiated, Shadow is the perfect introduction to Winterun, as it features three brand new tracks alongside two of the band’s older cuts that have been spit shined and given one hell of a blues-rock makeover.

The disc starts with “Tomahawk”, a riff heavy rocker with a significant Clutch vibe. The song is highlighted by the guitar playing of Guy Martin and it’s punctuated by the gravelly rasp of vocalist Nick Dunstan. The band uses dual guitars (Dunstan plays rhythm) to simultaneously create the heavy crunch that drives their sound while allowing the lead to come to the forefront of the songs, creating a level of depth that carries them beyond your typical “riff-rock” fare. The title track from Shadow is a perfect example of this, and it’s my personal favorite of this collection. “8 X 10”, the last of the three new songs, is yet another example of the band’s ability to combine groove and rhythm, thanks in part to drummer Joel Schneidruk and new bassist Matt Taylor with looser, free roaming guitar to create a sort of alt-stoner sound, kind of like a heavy ass version of Pearl Jam.

The final two tracks are remakes of "Sucker for Punishment" from the band's 2005 album Welcome To… and "Lighter" off their 2004 debut The Full Effect. The new versions of these songs feature the harmonica playing of Aaron Gillet, which completely transforms Winterun's sound into a bluesy, Southern rock explosion. As I described previously, Shadow is a sort of merging of the old and the new for these Australian stoner rock vets. The result is a quick, but altogether satisfying taste of Winterun and something to tide you over until the real deal arrives later in 2011.

Track Listing:

01: Tomahawk
02: Shadow
03: 8 X 10
04: Sucker for Punishment
05: Lighter

Band Members:

Nick Dunstan - Vocals and Guitar
Guy Martin - Guitar
Matt Taylor - Bass
Joel Schneidruk - Drums
Aaron Gillett - Harmonica

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WINTERUN AT SWITCH

After a summer spent in all reaches of the globe from Iceland to Thailand - Winterun return to hometown Melbourne for their first show in ages. Joining the lads for some dirty riff-mania will be Mushroom Giant, Twelve Foot Ninja, Valanti, New Skin and Bring On the Junta. Winterun are on third at 9:45pm. It all goes down at Switch at Casey's nightclub on Gelnferrie Rd on Friday March 13. Doors 8pm. Entry $15 before 10pm. $18 after 10pm.
FRI MARCH 13

SWITCH @ CASEY'S NIGHTCLUB

GLENFERRIE RD, HAWTHORN



MUSHROOM GIANT

TWELVE FOOT NINJA

VALANTI

WINTERUN

NEW SKIN

BRING ON THE JUNTA



Doors 8pm.

Entry $15 before 10pm. $18 after 10pm.

MySpace

Winterun At Pony

Rawkers, rockers, rollers, riffers and spliffers – ready your head for a massive night at Pony on Friday Nov 7. It will be a messy scene with the much-esteemed Tigernauts kicking off the night, followed by the dangerous lasses of Taste The Venom and heavy groove dealers Winterun ripping out some brutal new tunes. To add salt to the wound, Sons Of the Ionian Sea (ex-Peeping Tom) will be doing the 2am slot. Trouble here! Entry $8. Doors 9:30pm.




FRI NOV 7

PONY


WINTERUN (12pm)
TASTE THE VENOM (11pm)

TIGERNAUTS (10pm)

SONS OF THE IONIAN SEA (2am)

ENTRY $8

DOORS 9.30PM

MySpace

Free Australia Show w/Winterun

Dirty filthy riffs will fill the Espy Front Bar on Fri Oct 10 as Don Fernando launch their debut album with all the might and fury they can muster. Warming up the stage will be The Violet Flames from WA on first, followed by Melbourne’s heavy groove dealers Winterun and finally The Legs. Free



DON FERNANDO
THE LEGS

WINTERUN

THE VIOLET FLAMES



ESPY FRONT BAR

FRI OCT 10



FREE!

WINTERUN AT OLD BAR

Winterun's assault on Fitzroy continues with an almighty armada attacking Old Bar on Sat Sept 20. Purveyors of rock sleaze Don Fernando will headline as part of their national tour to support their self-titled debut album. Winterun will be in full force as main support. Coming on before Winterun are redneck devil rockers Down River and Gabbaflasted. A massive night of heavy groove riffage.

DON FERNANDO
WINTERUNDOWN
RIVER
GABBAFLASTED
SAT SEPT 20
OLD BAR
74-76 JOHNSTON ST, FITZROY
$8. 9pm

Winterun Gets Terrorized

Following up from their KKKK review in Kerrang!, Melbourne`s heavy groove dealers Winterun will be featured on the cover mounted Fear Candy Unsigned CD on September`s issue of UK metal mag Terrorizer. The CD and supporting editorial features unsigned bands from around the world and has resulted in a number of bands getting signed or offered tours.

For the first time there will be a competition, where readers text their favorite track and the winner gets to play at Damnation Festival in Leeds with Napalm Death, Carcass, and others. To vote for Winterun SMS ‘unsigned 15’ to 87474 (UK only). Also look out for the review of Into The Underground in October`s issue of Terrorizer.


Next Winterun Gig: Sat, Aug 30 - Heavy Duty Totefest at The Tote with Dreadnaught, Frankenbok, Down River, Dive Into Ruin, and Los Alamos.


For more info see www.winterun.com.

Winterun Is Rolling

“A superb unstoppable juggernaut where the guitars are tar-thick and the grooves positively subterranean”
– Kerrang! (UK)

Glowing reviews from around the globe for Into the Underground, plus airplay on radio and TV (including thrashings on Sports Tonight), have given the Winterun machine a full head of steam. Winterun will unleash their trademark heavy grooves on the Espy Front Bar on Saturday, July 5 in support of weathered rock dogs X and Bugdust, then at Pony on Friday, July 11 with A Process Of and Sons of Abraham. If you love your chunky riffs these are two gigs not be missed. For clips, tracks and info see www.myspace.com/winterun_band.