Post by Nico Mc Brain on Feb 12, 2006 14:33:19 GMT -5
Borknagar
Archaic Course
My very first encounter with Borknagar was with Empiricism but since this was the only CD available from their catalogue at that time, I took my chances with it. I can say its not disappointing. Borknagar has been consistently playing a mix of Blackened Folk Metal with lots of progressive tendencies. With Archaic course, the songs are mostly riff oriented as compared to their latter release. Vortex sings a lot about pagan themes and the lyrics are cryptic at best. Most of the songs would generally sound the same but the second track Universal would really stand out among them. Oysten G Brun would be playing sustained monotones while Vortex showcase his operatic style of vocal acrobatics. Overall a decent well rounded album.
C+
Quintessence
This is the album that I think got them on the Folk Metal Map. With the addition of keyboardist Lars Nedland, Borknagar sounded more gigantic. A lot of people complained that the drumming got buried in the mix, but I think it was a conscious decision on their part since they were aiming more for a wall of sound. In my opinion this was kind of ahead of its time as people right now are just starting to appreciate drone bands which sound as everything is fuzzed and buried. Certainly Quintessence has this characteristic in all of its song. Vortex is at his peak here, specially when he’s doing some black metal shrieks (Ruins of the future),his mellow introductions in Revolt and his operatic singing on the Colossus.
B-
Empiricism
With the departure of Vortex as vocals it was speculated that band would suffer greatly. To shut up the detractors, they got the best alternative in Vintersorg, and with his addition, changes in the whole music is very immediate. Lyrical themes became more metaphysical. Vocally I think Vintersorg is a very good vocalist, but sounds thin with his harsh delivery as compared to Vortex’s. Also on board would be Tyr on fretless bass. With the new line up, they would have been a super group of some sort. Production of far improved from Quintessence and this time the drumming of Asegir sounds crisp and clear. All I can say about the drumming is what it lacks in blast beats, it makes up for the intricate fills. As for experimentation, Borknagar has tried doing short instrumental tracks(Matter and Motion), which strikes me as cheesy and is something you would probably hear from castlevania games. At least they are short and doesn’t take out much from the music.
A
Epic
If you will check the line up, they have been now reduced to 4 members. Vintersorg; all vocals, Oysten G Brun; most of the guitars, Asegir Mickelson on Drums, Lars Nedland; keyboards and piano. I don’t know who’s doing the bass parts. Contrary to the album title, Epic is not epic at all. The music is a continuation of Empiricsm, heck even the album cover looks like a variation of Empiricism. The band had some time to write the songs on this one so I guess the themes are more personal, plus all members are doing some mixed duties on playing instruments. Notable on the album is Lars contribution with the synthesizers and Hammond Organ. Most of the songs take from his lead, (Sealed Chambers of Electricity, Cyclus and Weight of the Wind). If you enjoyed the Empiricsm then you can jump on this one blindly if not it would still be considered a solid Bornagar release
A
Archaic Course
My very first encounter with Borknagar was with Empiricism but since this was the only CD available from their catalogue at that time, I took my chances with it. I can say its not disappointing. Borknagar has been consistently playing a mix of Blackened Folk Metal with lots of progressive tendencies. With Archaic course, the songs are mostly riff oriented as compared to their latter release. Vortex sings a lot about pagan themes and the lyrics are cryptic at best. Most of the songs would generally sound the same but the second track Universal would really stand out among them. Oysten G Brun would be playing sustained monotones while Vortex showcase his operatic style of vocal acrobatics. Overall a decent well rounded album.
C+
Quintessence
This is the album that I think got them on the Folk Metal Map. With the addition of keyboardist Lars Nedland, Borknagar sounded more gigantic. A lot of people complained that the drumming got buried in the mix, but I think it was a conscious decision on their part since they were aiming more for a wall of sound. In my opinion this was kind of ahead of its time as people right now are just starting to appreciate drone bands which sound as everything is fuzzed and buried. Certainly Quintessence has this characteristic in all of its song. Vortex is at his peak here, specially when he’s doing some black metal shrieks (Ruins of the future),his mellow introductions in Revolt and his operatic singing on the Colossus.
B-
Empiricism
With the departure of Vortex as vocals it was speculated that band would suffer greatly. To shut up the detractors, they got the best alternative in Vintersorg, and with his addition, changes in the whole music is very immediate. Lyrical themes became more metaphysical. Vocally I think Vintersorg is a very good vocalist, but sounds thin with his harsh delivery as compared to Vortex’s. Also on board would be Tyr on fretless bass. With the new line up, they would have been a super group of some sort. Production of far improved from Quintessence and this time the drumming of Asegir sounds crisp and clear. All I can say about the drumming is what it lacks in blast beats, it makes up for the intricate fills. As for experimentation, Borknagar has tried doing short instrumental tracks(Matter and Motion), which strikes me as cheesy and is something you would probably hear from castlevania games. At least they are short and doesn’t take out much from the music.
A
Epic
If you will check the line up, they have been now reduced to 4 members. Vintersorg; all vocals, Oysten G Brun; most of the guitars, Asegir Mickelson on Drums, Lars Nedland; keyboards and piano. I don’t know who’s doing the bass parts. Contrary to the album title, Epic is not epic at all. The music is a continuation of Empiricsm, heck even the album cover looks like a variation of Empiricism. The band had some time to write the songs on this one so I guess the themes are more personal, plus all members are doing some mixed duties on playing instruments. Notable on the album is Lars contribution with the synthesizers and Hammond Organ. Most of the songs take from his lead, (Sealed Chambers of Electricity, Cyclus and Weight of the Wind). If you enjoyed the Empiricsm then you can jump on this one blindly if not it would still be considered a solid Bornagar release
A
