Customer Reviews

Borknagor

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Borknagar's first album is all in Norwegian, which is cool because you can't understand a word they're saying if you don't speak the language. So, for anyone who's easily offended by lyrics, no worries mate! Of course, Borknagar's material supposedly deals with nature, which is a topic I like to hear about, so I can't understand how you would be. Anyway, if you started listening to Borknagar with Quintessence or Empiricism, this is vastly different, but gives a hint as to where the music would eventually go. It's not underground black metal void of synths or rhythm; the production isn't great but isn't as bad as some reviewers are saying, and is much better than early Emperor. The guitar work is excellent; Garm's vocals are good, but probably the worst of the three vocalists the band has been through over the course of its existence; and in typical black metal fashion, the drums really stand out. This is melodic metal, so don't expect anything brutal or evil. It's just plain good music. Get it now before they run out of copies. I hear it's out of production and will not be available much longer, but I don't know how true that is.

This is Borknagar's first release and probably their most raw one. The guitars played by Ivar Bjornsson from Enslaved and Oystein Brun comprise a wall of distorted electric mayhem on some tracks and on other tracks acoustic guitar passages with heavy Scandinavian folk influence are played. There are quite a few instrumentals on this album but they all fit perfectly into the song sequence and are very folkish and emotional passages. The bass work by Infernus is excellent and actually audible a lot of the time above the chaotic drone of guitars which is quite unusual for a black metal release. Despite this being their first release, the music is quite complex and very impressive, owing a lot to the legendary Garm of Ulver fame who does all the harsh vocal rasps and growls on this disc. There are almost no clean vocals on this album, unlike the rest of Borknagar's releases. There are great folkish choirs on some of the tracks which add greatly to the cold northern atmosphere. The drumming is fast but not standard black metal blasting and has good variety to complement the music, all the drums are handled by the late Grim who committed suicide in 1999. RIP Erik, your contribution will live on. Overall an awesome release from one of the masters of the genre. This is the way true Norwegian black metal was and should be played. Period.

This CD has the ferocity of Ulver (alot due to Garms vocals and some perfect blast beats) with the epics of Hammerheart. In other words, it is classic. It is dark viking black metal, very violent and very epic.

This is BORKNAGAR at their best. This is a rawer, harsher sound than the more recent albums. The music is harder, faster and violent sounding, I guess they were trying to capture that Viking rage. Searing guitar, blasting drumming and abrasive vokills (provided by none other than GARM). Their songs even have an epic structure and feel to them. A must have for BLACK METAL FANS.

Ok, so the production is not near as pretty as it is on the other two albums. All the lyrics are in Norwegian, so I dont understand most of it, but I have an idea. Half of the songs are intrumentals. Believe me...this record is much more "raw" then the other nicely produced albums, this one is actually BLACK METAL. This is for the true Borknagar fans, if you are only fimilair with the latest recording this one will surprise you! Its defintaly worth the cost if you are into rusty metal viking music???? I dont know exactly, do not trust me...

this along with the olden domain is Borknagar at their best. true nordic black metal with raw production and plenty of hatred.

this along with the olden domain is Borknagar at their best. true nordic black metal with raw production and plenty of hatred.

this along with the olden domain is Borknagar at their best. true nordic black metal with raw production and plenty of hatred.

this along with the olden domain is Borknagar at their best. true nordic black metal with raw production and plenty of hatred.

If only they could remake this album completely with new recordings. The album has so much potential but the sound is horrible. (not as bad as Ulver's Nattens Madrigal though)