"My Winter" by BLEEDING NATURE is yet another russian attempt to do what the West does well, with full confidence that it will work out here too. This time the victim was synthpop. On the whole, it's not all that bleak. The disc is more than well-made — the musicians worked seriously, and the instrumental side of things is executed more than competently. Executed being the key word, since the actual content leaves much to be desired. Synthpop is obviously not progressive metal, and when I started listening to the disc, I clearly understood I wasn't listening to DREAM THEATER and that I wouldn't encounter great variety. But at the same time, I hoped to hear at least something original — my hopes proved futile. The music is quite banal; it doesn't get annoying on its own since it carries practically nothing in itself, but that's only true for the first 15 minutes. After that, this semantic emptiness becomes quite tiresome.
Of the compositions, I can only single out two. "Under A Snow" is somehow kind, almost joyful, yet everything is ruined by the utterly banal alternation of subdued male and high female vocals accompanied by an electronic accompaniment that has been used for the thousandth time by yet another band playing synthpop.
"It's In Her Smile" — now this one can truly be highlighted. It's pensive and free of electronic crackle. Unfortunately, it's the only one like it on the album, and it doesn't save the overall situation. As for the final composition, it can finish you off in the most literal sense. The musicians decided to create a track in the Dark Ambient style, apparently hoping they could pull it off. They hoped in vain — they didn't. Sixteen minutes and sixteen seconds of pointless noise that neither pleases nor frightens, and evokes no emotions whatsoever. And besides the age-old proverb found in nearly every language — "if you can't do it, don't try" — I unfortunately have nothing more to say.
So, to sum up: synthpop fans might take to this disc, but it certainly won't be winning any prizes — everything is just too unoriginal. Working in this direction, I personally don't see a great future for the band.