Customer Reviews

Axioma Ethica Odini

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I will be brief here. "Axioma Ethica Odini" is hands-down the finest Enslaved album since "Below the Lights." It virtually crushes the three albums that preceded it.

As odd as it may sound, there is not that much new here. Enslaved have been far beyond the leading edge of prog/black metal now for almost a decade. Each album has offered a mix of '70s progressive rock, bizarre Voivod riffing, black metal obliteration, etc. The same holds true on this release, just everything has been tightened up immeasurably.

Jens Bogren was brought in to mix the record. He is responsible for the skull-crushing sound that can be found on the latest albums by Opeth and Amon Amarth. Possibly the only current metal producer who gets a massive, professional sound, particularly crafted to each band, that doesn't sound compressed and brickwalled into the absurd noise found on so many major heavy releases.

The vocals have had particular attention paid to them this time. The ever-improving clean vocals have advanced markedly and Bogren gets an absolutely phenomenal sound from Grutle Kjellson's harsh vox, guttural bellows and shrieks; swirling around one another approaching the heights of Mikael Akerfeldt's genre-defining performance at the end of "Blackwater Park."

Enslaved have been guilty in the past of throwing whacked-out riffs together in a seemingly random fashion, having songs go on too long or randomly switching between clever parts at the most inappropriate moment. "AEO" finds the songwriting tighter and more succinct than it has been in ages, even though many of the tracks are around the seven minute mark.

And of last note, I feel as though the band have not performed with this much ease and confidence since "Mardraum" roughly a decade ago. It is almost as if they KNEW how mind scrabbling the new material was which allowed them to truly grind forward like a monolithic Glacier Giant. Much more forceful, aggressive and destructive than recent submissions. If you've been a fan of this band to any degree over the past decade, I highly recommend their newest.

Welcome back, Enslaved!

This album combines all the best elements of their entire career. Everything is high-impact and immaculately crafted. They have recovered some of the excitement of "Mardraum" a decade ago and blended it with their new technical virtuosity. "Vertebrae" had made me doubt these guys, but they are now back with a vengeance.

Is it prog metal or black metal? Does the distinction matter? With "Axioma Ethica Odini," Enslaved answer with a resounding "no." It truly does not matter what genre category one applies to the band when they write songs of such impact and resonance. Grutle's vocals stay true to the black metal archetype, and his voice is in as fine a form as ever - he is the definition of visceral, cutting through your stereo like a battle axe. Herbrand Larsen (on keyboards) consistently contributes great clean vocals (Night Sight being a tremendous example). On guitar, Ivar and Ice Dale sound better than ever (and deliver the RIFFS!), and Cato is tight on the drums.

None of this should surprise Enslaved fans, but I have to say that the band has exceeded my expectations with this album. I never doubted this mighty horde, but didn't know if this record would be a masterpiece. Based upon this aural argument, one would do well to take ethical cues from the great Mr. Odin. This is a serious contender for my favorite album of 2010.

Enslaved keep the intricacy and subtleties of their last three albums yet bring the rock, and I like it. Whip tight, smart and visceral, this may be the masterpiece they were always capable of. Their best since (at least) 2003's Below The Lights.

Sorry, but Isa, Ruun, and Vertebrae freaking rule. That said, that doesn't mean this album doesn't rule either because it is the natural extension of their creative direction. That's the way they've always been. I have all their albums, they are all evolutions. I am still getting used to this one, but that's the way of all complicated well written music. It deserves a 5 star rating, but IMHO so do Isa, Ruun, and Vertebrae. If you like Enslaved what are you waiting for? buy this now, probably album of the year for me and many others.

I'm extraordinarily picky about my music. Not in an idiotic, doesn't-know-crap-about-time-signatures hipster sort of way, but seriously. This album is great.

excellent new album. Viking metal fans will not be disappointed by newest release by Enslaved. Progressive elements seem even smoother on axioma than vertebrae and vertebrae was a great album

This album keeps getting better and better after every spin. I can't get enough of Ethica Odini,Raidho and Giants. This is a great melting pot of black,pagan and progressive rock elements. The repetitious riff age is hallucinating. It is almost like a black metal version of "Animals" by Pink Floyd. The production is just perfect for this melancholy music. They truly have their own sound. Tentatively speaking, I think this is their best album to date. Did you notice the tip of the hat to Yes on "Night Sight"? Update: I have been listening to this album for two straight weeks and it is in my humble opinion one of the best black prog albums that I have ever heard.

This is easily one of Enslaved's best albums. It CRUSHES Vertebrae and Ruun, and may even top Isa and Below the Lights. I was hoping they could pull their stuff back together and boy did they ever. This CD is AMAZING! Buy it now!

This is my first album from the band Enslaved. I saw them open for Opeth over a year ago and was impressed. I'd heard of them of course, but somehow in the past 20 years I had missed out listening to their music. I cannot offer a critical review comparing this album to their others. What I can say is that, if you want to take a chance on a purchase and are looking for an energetic and highly talented metal band to enjoy, you should check these guys out. Their style is a combination of onslaught and technical muscianship. It has depth, without getting to prog, and it shreds, without sounding like any other garage metal band. There is just so much going on with each song, the instruments and the songwriting, it just has those layers to it that a lot of music today, in general, is lacking.