Wintersun songs are not exactly short trips. One minute you’re thrown into a fast, razor-sharp riff and the next you’re completely swept away by epic orchestral layers, soaring vocals and melodies that feel utterly otherworldly. Jari Mäenpää has a rare gift for fusing blistering speed, raw emotion and grand, epic arrangements cementing Wintersun as a true standout in the melodic death metal scene.
The band started as Jari project in 2003 and the self-titled debut arrived in 2004. Then came Time I in 2012, followed by the long-awaited “Time II” in 2024. Fans waited years for that second chapter, but there was plenty of debate along the way.
Now it’s time for a different kind of debate: which Wintersun song deserves the crown?
10 Best Wintersun Songs
🔥 Wintersun: The Stories Behind the Music
- Jari did almost everything on the debut. When Wintersun came out in 2004, Jari handled the vocals, guitars, bass and keyboards. Kai Hahto took care of the drums.
- Wintersun became his main focus after Ensiferum. Jari originally wanted to work on Wintersun alongside Ensiferum, but a studio booking that clashed with Ensiferum touring schedule led to his departure from the band.
- The wait for “Time II” became legendary. The project began taking shape in 2004, with recording starting in 2006. It eventually became two albums, “Time I” and “Time II”, with the latter finally arriving in August 2024. Complex arrangements, Jari perfectionism and computer problems all played a part in the long delay.
- The studio crowdfunding caused a storm of its own. In 2017, Wintersun launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund a new studio. It raised nearly half a million euros, but the campaign also sparked plenty of debate and jokes among fans while “Time II” was still nowhere to be heard.
- The band has some serious metal connections. Kai Hahto and Jukka Koskinen joined Nightwish, while Teemu Mäntysaari became a guitarist for Megadeth.
- The “Time II” digital package dug deep into the past. Fans who got the special digital package received 56 remastered demo tracks written and recorded by Jari, with material reaching all the way back to 1992.
From the wild speed of “Winter Madness” to the massive journey of “Sons of Winter and Stars” and the newer power of “The Way of the Fire”, Wintersun have given fans plenty to argue about.
Which song gets your vote? Pick your ultimate Wintersun track and tell us why in the comments!
By
