Borknagar
Epic

July 2004
Released: 2004, Century Media
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Lord of the Wasteland

The ever-rotating lineup of Borknagar continues to evolve, with bassist Tyr and guitarist Jens Ryland jumping ship since 2001’s EMPIRICISM. Besides that, the second release with Vintersorg on vocals, EPIC, picks up right where EMPIRICISM left off. The soaring vocals, symphonic keyboards, black metal blastbeats and folk-influenced passages are all executed with the expertise and precision that only Borknagar can muster. Guitarist Oystein G. Brun is the only remaining original member and his songwriting and structuring keeps Borknagar rooted firmly without deviating too much from their sound. Vintersorg replaced Simen Hetnaes (who is now known as ICS Vortex and provides clean vocals and plays bass in Dimmu Borgir) after 2000’s QUINTESSENCE album and while Hetnaes’ voice suited the music perfectly, Vintersorg’s does as well…just differently. He is able to pull off a death growl, black metal shriek as well as a soaring clean vocal with ease. Drummer Asgeir Mickelson handles the entire rhythm section (as well as stunning cover art once again) on EPIC since bassist Tyr left before recording began. While the talented pedigree of the musicians in Borknagar cannot be denied, Vintersorg’s oddball lyrics once again threaten to puzzle the listener. Borknagar’s lyrics have never been about the typical Scandinavian themes of blasphemy, church burning and maiming and dismembering, but the unfailing metaphysical content can be a bit overwhelming. The music is not much different than the previous album, but instead builds on what the band mastered on EMPIRICISM. Coupled with its lush production, EPIC takes that a step further in creating an incredible atmospheric experience for the listener.



“Future Reminiscence” opens the CD and basically embodies all of the styles and textures that are to come. Vintersorg’s harsh rasp is juxtaposed with his clean vocals on this track and Mickelson’s blastbeats create one of the heavier numbers on the CD. The keyboards bring in a sampled flute section around the 3:30 mark that creates an ethereal mood before launching once again into the aggression and ferocity. Vintersorg’s vocals are best demonstrated on “Sealed Chambers of Electricity,” as he goes from roaring growl, to raspy shriek, to clean vocals, to whispered nuances…all in the span of five minutes. “The Weight of Wind” is a lush instrumental track with tinges of prog to it. The keyboards are coupled with some melodic guitar parts to create an excellent middle section for the album. “Relate (Dialogue)” employs some cool vocals in the chorus and is certainly one of the catchiest tracks Borknagar has ever done. “The Inner Ocean Hypothesis” opens with a jazzy/prog intro that once again pushes the boundaries of what this band is capable of.



EPIC is a bold title. What could have been a tremendously ironic slap in the face to the band instead holds true. Anyone who has followed the career of Borknagar and seen the band evolve over the last eight years realized that they just kept getting better and better. EPIC is the conglomeration of everything Borknagar has aspired to be—heavy and light, melodic and aggressive, harsh and clean. Despite overcoming numerous obstacles and repeated lineup changes along the way, Borknagar has finally delivered what may be their magnum opus.



KILLER KUTS: “Future Reminiscence,” “The Weight of Wind,” “Relate (Dialogue),” “The Inner Ocean Hypothesis”