Wintersun - The Way of The Fire [Reaction/Review]

Wintersun KZbin Channel:
/ @wintersunjari
Link to original video:
• The Way of The Fire
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[@pearlexport32]

In my humble opinion, this fantastic music was well worth the wait. I have been a fan of Wintersun for several years now and continue to be in awe of the creativity and just how great this band sounds. Long live Finnish symphonic metal!!

[@lucaperlini988]

In my opinion, it's not. I mean, the album is a masterpiece, but how many great albums were put aside in the search for the perfect sound for TIME II? If he had just released this alongside TIME I, he could have released some other great albums, touring, etc... Now Wintersun would have been a much bigger band... and had the budget to build the studio

[@ArinmarDeKaldenoc]

@@lucaperlini988 first, he tried but it didnt work, because there was no way to work with that complex material at that time. Nuclear blast themselfs said spilt it in two halfs. And tbh, Wintersun always was and will be special Music for advanced listerners..so nope..even tho he would have had relased it back then there would have been no money for a own studio. And no albumes where set aside..he was working on them while finishing time 2.

[@GlobalTossPot]

@@ArinmarDeKaldenoc and yet we still got a half assed mix of the album… and before you say anything I fully support Jari and Wintersun having got the Time package and been a fan since Jari was In Ensiferum. But after 13 some years and the mix is still terrible; vocals, melody guitars and orchestrations being so low/buried in the mix in parts was not worth the wait even as amazing the music is. The bigger picture is the 13 some years to find this “perfect” sound even when working on other projects and trolling this album is insane. I love Time II and Jari’s music so damn much but the bigger picture of things and the final mix is rubbish for the time frame. That is the thing you people are completely missing. I’m at least not blind to that part even as much as I’m in love with the music

[@lucaperlini988]

@@ArinmarDeKaldenoc man, TIME I was released with some compromise on the sound, he could have released TIME II also with the same compromises... Nuclear blast only wanted to split the album in 2 part because it was too long, not delay TIME II release... TIME II was already written at the time. Now that we have the original TIME I (with compromises) and the remixed 2.0 version (the "true vision") we can make an idea how TIME II would have sounded if it were released 20 years ago together with TIME I... Ok the "true vision" sounds better, but was it worth 20 years of waiting? In my opinion it was not. And yes, some album were inevitably set aside, because time is not infinite, if you spend (waste) tons of time searching for the perfect sound for TIME II, you are not using that time for other album production. I am the first one that prefer quality over quantity, but in case of wintersun, this is brougth to an extreme level that become counterproductive

[@civiumardor6344]

He actually delivered, after all this time. Worth every moment of the wait, I've played it nonstop 🤘🏻

[@lasselasse5215]

I don't understand the "was it worth the wait" reasoning I see a lot. When Time 2 didn't happen, ppl complain. When it happened, ppl complain. The common thing: Ppl fkn complain It is what it is, live in the Now and don't expect the world to behave exactly as you want ->happier time on earth. "But oh, how it feels so cold when my dreams wither in fragments of time"

[@claudiamarianidamato9499]

Exactly . Everyone is so pressed on how long it took to make. Smh just enjoy the music !! Shits so annoying tbh

[@TrulyStucker]

What's not to fucking understand? Many people simple didn't survive to hear this PERFECT sounding (it's not) album. Pandemic happened. Wars happened and are happening. Time is precious thing and spending 15 prime years in quest for finding perfect sound is not necessarily at all and definitely a subject for discussion (Time I existed somehow and in the end got that 'perfect' sound). And now there is no Wintersun anymore, only Jari. Can't even tour this record. People who defend their favorite bands no matter what are even more ridiculous. It comes to a religious behavior pattern.

[@lasselasse5215]

@@TrulyStucker Discuss all you want about why Time 2 took so long time, why do you think it took so long time? I just don't understand the reasoning behind "was it worth the wait". It just sounds so f u c k i n g stupid. Did it cost anything to wait? Do ppl think a project that takes 15 years would be 15 times better than a project that takes 1 year?

[@lucaperlini988]

@@lasselasse5215 yes, it has cost alot, how many other great album could have been produced in the meanwhile? Everything you do in life has an opportunity cost, because time is a scarce resource and if you focus on one thing you are putting aside many other alternatives.... So the question was it worth the wait has a perferc logical sense... Now compare the original release of TIME I and the 2.0 "true vision" version... the question is: Is the improvement of sound, who took almost 20 years of time taken away to other projects, worth the time spent? Of course everyone will different opinion, in my opinion is not

[@lasselasse5215]

@@lucaperlini988 Oh you mean was it worth the wait for J a r i. Just speculation, but I think it was very very very important for him to put an end to it, so I'm guessing extremely worth it. That was not what I was talking about though. A lot of response videos ask the question if it was worth the wait for the fans. And that makes zero sense, idiotic question.

[@THAMNOS]

THANK YOU! As a musician, who also creates music that prefers to get the vocals quieter, and likes to put vocals slightly lower for a better 'atmosphere' your comments made me feel seen. I have been getting hundreds of comments about 'vocals being too quiet' for years. And I never can find good words to explain to them that this is just what I prefer. You explained it perfectly

[@APREACTS]

🤘🤘🤘

[@GrayW-wh]

Because vocals are only one part of the whole thing and in music like this even more so. I get that to many people vocals being loud is important but in music like this it's just one element. I also think they sit very nice in this mix, not too loud or quiet to my ears.

[@parlamedia]

This has slowly become my favourite WS song. It has it all.

[@alejandrogallardo7695]

Jari: alright folks, these are the songs you have to learn now Teemu: :)

[@CloudMountainJuror]

This is especially funny because in the podcast episodes I watched, Teemu always seems to have that slight smile on his face haha

[@anetteridleyrodriguez]

I started listening to Wintersun when I was 15 back in 2005. They have a very special place in my heart. The very first time I heard their debut album I knew they were going to be my favorite band of ALL TIME!!!! TIME 2 for me, is a perfect blend of their debut album and Time 1. It's filled with epicness, emotion, and a feeling of wanting to fucking destroy shit. I absolutely love this new album, too much epicness I Want to cry. Literally I love EVERYTHING Jari does, he could put out an Opera album and I would love it!

[@claudiamarianidamato9499]

❤❤❤ love to see the girls listening to wintersun!! We’re truly special

[@anetteridleyrodriguez]

@@claudiamarianidamato9499 Hell yeah!!!

[@metalmanny666]

@@claudiamarianidamato9499you’ve both made my day with your comments ❤

[@abioqaas]

For the next reaction you can use the new lyric visualizer videos that Jari just got done. Great reaction guys!

[@zalskin1]

these might have been done long ago

[@abioqaas]

@@zalskin1true and good point!

[@Xiphos1349]

Plus they're youtube videos, I think they may be using the top quality files

[@MaggiWuerz]

@@Xiphos1349 no he only uses KZbin Videos. it just shows, that they didn't want to wait :D

[@willyrosenkrantz8037]

Beauty moments with Wintersun. 🥂

[@jonathan.bohn97]

I have to admit that the wave-files that you get from the time package have a much better quality than on streaming platforms. And I was "only" 95% happy with the sound, so I created my own mixes of the songs with the Isolated tracks. That is also a thing that I love about Wintersun, that you get the ability to create your own sound :)

[@1DJSummit]

This is what Ensiferum should sound like. Don’t get me wrong they’re still great. But they’ll sounding so power metal now a days. Bring back this rawness

[@Isndar]

I still remember how you guys reacted during the 2nd solo on your first time hearing the 70k tons of metal 2015 and now here we are today hearing The Way of the Fire being finally complete Totally agree with Jari being a true Genius and love the react on this one as well cheers from Malaysia

[@Thomas-dx2nv]

I agree with you some blames the mix for "to much drums", or not loudly "vocals"...but if you claim to be fan of wintersun, you know that Jari wanted this way. And I think it's perfect as the way it is. The mix is perfect, because we can hear all the different elements that the creator put in on that music. And it's beautifull for it.

[@Ana198]

He wouldn't have to make 1.5 and 2.0 versions of records if the mix was perfect the first time. The drums are waaayyy to loud, you can be a fan an still think this.

[@KimboRamboFin]

At least there are some pretty good fan remasters that sound easier on the ears. You should check out the ones from a youtube channel "FT", those actually sound very close to what I expected the album to sound like.

[@henrywalton5967]

​@@Ana198 He has said 100's of times he was never that happy with the mix of Time I. But as far as I know he is happy with how Time II sounds and Time I 2.0 Time I 2.0 sounds amazing now, I really didn't like the original mix I gotta say. I would only listen to the Sonic pump version.

[@mihailkondov4773]

I still like the Sonic Pump live rehearsals more than 1, 1.5 and 2.0. But ever since Time II came out I just can't listen to the old songs. Not because they are bad, the new ones are just better!

[@henrywalton5967]

@@mihailkondov4773 see for me, nothing beats Sons of Winter and stars, been listening to it loads again and I still think it's the best Wintersun song by a mile and actually one of the best songs I've heard all together. Time II is amazing though all of the songs are top notch! Album of the year for sure.

[@VNExperience]

The bridge riff is killer and the solo out of this world. Jari really delivered with this one and I hope to see a live rehearsal of all 4 main pieces on the album, similar to the Sonic Pump session in 2012.

[@maaaaaap]

the album needs more riffs like the bridge riff, assuming you mean the one that reprises before the last chorus. The self titled had lots of similar riff/melody combinations which is why it's imo still their best

[@CloudMountainJuror]

I cannot agree with you enough about the vocals in the mix. I think they’re at a perfectly acceptable level, and that they lend themselves extremely well to the crazy experience that this album is. And they are clearly audible as is anyways!

[@punxsutawneyphil3944]

Your sons thumbnail face speaks volumes.

[@petrihiltunen4478]

:D goddamn, the best reaction video so far by any :D :D

[@phoneix1987]

only Wintersun are allowed a 30 min reaction video. keep up! cheers from Albania

[@driesv.7572]

Guys, obviously you filmed it before, your t-shirts gave it away 😉

[@linuxsauna]

Antonio is 100% spot on with this too. And please - don't interrupt him so much in a way? Cheers.

[@TrulyStucker]

And yeah, I've been following Wintersun since basically day 1, backed them both times, spent shitload of money / time on a road to see them every time they played somewhere around, so go ahead and tell me I'm just a hater or troll or send me a buttplug lol

[@ZonZorZerx]

Of course it was well worth the wait. The package was a bargain. Even though this is a killer album and a killer song, it still has nothing on Sons. I wonder how he'll ever going to top Sons of Winter and Stars.

[@hextatik_sound]

Cool, the dude on the left has Finnish headphones.

[@FinnishUncleSam]

They both have I'm pretty sure

[@Schlain666]

What the fuck is that drum sound, in particular the snare sound, you cant distinguish it from the kick drum. Dude had 12 years to record a decent Time 2 snare and we got this...

[@exscape]

Can't say I agree, I tell them apart very easily. And while I think that, I'd say the main thing making them somewhat similar is that the bass drum has a bit much high-end, rather than anything being off with the snare.

[@TrulyStucker]

Of course it has the debut album vibes. He started to compose Time album in 2006 or so, just in a few years after Wintersun got released. I find it funny that you guys say you were saying a lot of criticism stuff towards Jari because you love it and at the same time you want buttplugs to be released for all the Wintesun haters. As far as I know all the Wintersun haters loved the band at some point and many of them still are. Jari is perfectionist, that's true, but he is DEFINITELY one of these guys who HAS to be put down on earth from his ominous clouds. He said Time II was ready 5 years ago and he was in quest for finding the correct drum sample for a perfect sound. And in the end drums on this record sound PLASTIC, nowhere good by 2024 standards (just listen to Decapitated or Fear Factory drums, that's how it should sound on metal record). Let's think about this: his decisions in a quest of finding a perfect sound / mix (which ironically got the most backlash) lead the band to losing all the band members. Asim left officially due to the band had literally zero activity and he wasn't hired for solving crosswords, Kai, Jukka, Teemu - they all now have much more bigger bands than Wintersun and Wintersun won't ever be their priority anymore. People are getting older and Jari spends his prime years for his stubborn attempt to get the best sound of songs that could be easily released DECADE ago without any issues. He could simply released Time II at the same time as Time I and somewhere in future offer the remastered versions. But due to his completely crazy decision to pursue 'holy grail sound' which didn't play out at all, he lost his prime years performing these songs and many other pushed back albums/songs live as often as they deserved and lost his band so now - THE PERFECT TIME TO COME BACK ON A ROAD - he can't do it. And we - fans - can't see them on Time II album cycle. I loved the album, but the way Jari decided to release it - in my opinion (and I HOPE I'm wrong) - might buried the band as we used to know it.

[@lucaperlini988]

So much truth in this post... The sad thing is that Jari waste such a gigantic talent... great singer, amazing composer, guitar god... yet he has wasted so much TIME reaching the 'perfect sound' of just one album, putting so much great material on hold that will never come to light... And by the way, the first album proves that you don't need trillions of layers to compose majestic music that touches your soul... Wintersun would be so much bigger if he had released more albums and toured just like a normal band. I hope he realizes he doesn't have much TIME left before getting too old, and puts away this useless search for perfection

[@KimboRamboFin]

Yes, very true. Also been a diehard fan since like 2010, and the main problem is that Jari wasted his prime years on a single album. Nobody, and I mean nobody can sound as good vocally in their 50s than in their 20s and 30s. Even if the new records will be amazing instrumentally, the vocals can never sound as good as they did here and on the debut. And the snare sound is definitely what holds back this album. With a massive explosive snare, this song would be so much more massive. Jari has a thing for "snappy" drums but it's not the right sound for a song like this. Even though this is a great album and Silver Leaves is the best thing Jari has ever done, especially this song didn't live up to the sound I imagined in my head from the tuska 2011 performance for example. It's great but not the ultimate piece of music I was expecting.

[@TrulyStucker]

@@lucaperlini988 exactly. Wintersun still my favorite record without 100+ orchestra tracks. Best riffs, best lyrics, best solo (Winter Madness), best melancholic tune (Sadness and Hate, yeah, sorry Loneliness and Silver Leaves). While I appreciate Time as a whole album and 'The Way of The Fire' is prolly my favorite song ever, the first record still remains best to me - from start to finish. No fillers, all killers like they say.

[@KimboRamboFin]

As much as I love the debut, listening to it straight after Time II makes it sound quite dated and there's something missing. Sadness And Hate is funnily my least favourite Wintersun song, I basically never listen to it. Loneliness is good but Silver Leaves is perfection.

[@TrulyStucker]

@@KimboRamboFin not sure how debut can sound dated comparing to Time since Time was composed a few years later and initially aimed for 2006 release. It's just completely different approach to composing. Debut album still sounds fresh and awesome.

[@brooksploskina5161]

Song is amazing, but if you aren’t listening to the Dynamic 2db version of the album, you are missing out on the superior mix.

[@KimboRamboFin]

I think some of the fan remasters are even better than the 2db versions.

[@ravenwda007]

@@KimboRamboFin nah no way. All fan remixes are crap imo. All of them remove the massive sound and it sounds congested like in a small tunnel or pipe. Plus it sounds distorted. Jari is a professional. All you have to do is reduce the gain for each track and do absolutely nothing else! Viola! 95% of 2db mix. I dropped the bass and drums by -5db! Every other track -4db

[@CloudMountainJuror]

I’ll be very interested to hear it when it’s released on Bandcamp (assuming it will be)

[@ZonZorZerx]

@@KimboRamboFin The fan remixes really aren't. They're bad and they leave out too many details just to amp the vocals. People just have bad aural skills.

[@rollingmetal949]

Is it good. Sure. Worth 17 years of waiting.... Thats debatable

[@lucaperlini988]

not worth at all, especially for wintersun itself... If he had released this together with TIME I and released some more albums in the meanwhile, they wuold be now so much bigger as a band...

[@Mattseak]

In my opinion it's better to get it after 12 years than not get the album at all. Yeah yeah yeah one could argue it should have been released in 2012, but it was also starting to look like Time II would never be released, so..

[@winkuli]

Writer's block and demoralization is a thing. I'm super happy the album is out

[@rollingmetal949]

@@winkuli I like it but the expectations just got unrealistic

[@Drpavel564]

Is that what jari told you?

[@Drpavel564]

This is just a lesser version of time 1. The B side that just couldn’t make the cut. Very underwhelming and dull. Not a lot stuck out to me. Bless jari for milking the paypigs again. At least the Forest Seasons had some memorable stuff.

[@n_vselm7052]

The circus called. They lost their clown

[@MaggiWuerz]

"dull" lol. what music do you listen to?

[@KimboRamboFin]

Time II is miles ahead of TFS, even though that is a good album too. And Time I isn't nearly as good as Time II imo. I think TWoTF and Silver Leaves are Wintersun's best songs by far.

[@jacksonhorde8255]

Time package is very good for the price of 50€. Lots of unheard songs and most of them are legendary.

[@Drpavel564]

@@n_vselm7052 The clowns are the people who gave that moron thousands of dollars for some garbage that other bands like Whispered, Frostide, Suotana, Stormtide, etc can do better.