Artist: Borknagar
Label: Century Media
Release Date: 1/22/02
Average Rating: 4.5
Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album
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Title: Empiricism Artist: Borknagar Label: Century Media Release Date: 1/22/02 |
There are currently 2 Reader Reviews of this album.
Average Rating: 4.5 Go to Judgment Committee Reviews of this Album |
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Submitted by Frodi Stenberg (1/31/02):
Now here's an example on a band that defies every limit and all boundaries. Borknagar has become one of my absolute favorite band since I heard The Olden Domain, I loved the atmosphere on that album. The Archaic Course was a bit slower and more majestic, but also a superb album. Then came Quintessence, a brilliant album that forged the aforementioned albums into one, as well as some new progressive touches, especially concerning the keyboards. Now I stand with the band's absolute highest quality release Empiricism. What to say, okay I can start by telling you that the artwork is some of the finest I've seen for quite some time, and that there's not a single weak moment to be traced. The keyboards are simply inspiring, as well as the ultra progressive and technical drumming of Asgeir, he's one hell of a drummer. "The Genuine Pulse" begins the album with a short piano intro, then before you know it you're in Borknagar's universe, where atmosphere and agressiveness go hand in hand. Fantastic. I would say that Empiricism is more epic and progressive than Quintessence, and the band has brought their folk influences back in some of the songs, songs like "Gods Of My World" and "The Stellar Dome." Some of the faster and brutal songs, while still being epic, are "The Black Canvas," which is best described as fast and avant-gardish, and "The Genuine Pulse" which also is my personal favorite. It's not only the keyboards and guitars that create the atmosphere, the vocals of Vintersorg play a huge part too. His grim vocals are excellent, but it's his clean singing and the choirs and the harmonies that impresses me the most, he's a more than worthy replacement for I. C. S. Vortex. The new bass player Tyr does some fine fretless bass, when he's not galloping along with the blast beats. Not to mention the guitar duo of Oystein and Jens, it's fantastic how they play the axes together. Get this album, all of you metal fans, this is something truly original and incredible.
Submitted by Bryan Everette (1/21/02):
As many of you know, Borknagar has stood outside the circle of traditional black metal ever since their creation. This album is no different. Empiricism is intelligent, well constructed music that goes outside of any one classification. The melodies of this album circle you as if they were some sort of cosmic force of their own. This album was crafted by very talented and gifted musicians. Unlike their peers (DHG, Zyklon, Limbonic Art, Ulver, Pain, etc.), Borknagar do not rely on goofy electronic clicks and buzzes to create its music. Which I honestly think is a change, since so many use that worthless sound now. (Peter Tagtgren, give it up, it sound like a a Nintendo game.)The music itself is constructed of slower melodies with keyboards flowing around the other instruments. The vocalist, Vintersorg, does a great job, if not a better job, than the departed ics Vortex.
The only bad part about this album is that traditional black metal lovers and hardcore thrashers will hate this album, since it is outside any set standard in any genre of music. Nevertheless this album is really great. Check it out for something that is a little different from anything you have ever heard before.
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