Borknagar – Universal

Releasedate: 19-02-2010; Label: Indie Recordings
By: Sabine van Gameren

The Norwegian band Borknagar formed in 1995. Their 8th release is now done and named “Universal”.

We were forced to wait on this album since 2006, so expectations have been set for the band that evolved in style towards the progressive black metal style they make nowadays. The band started the album quiet with an acoustic part. Kind of stereotypical you get introduced to the moment that you expect the violence to burst and there it is, you can feel it coming. That the band finds its way acoustic as well, isn’t surprising as they previously released an acoustic album. Folk influences give the album a warm character, bringing the good, trusty sound of Borknagar up. Synths get placed next to the guitar riffs as if they are a married couple. Passages with tempo changes keep the album interesting and the vocals of Andreas Hedlund fit in the place perfectly. “Universal” is a logical step in discography, it fits the harder side as well as the folk side and the little bit experimenting here and there is never bothering you. A splendid album, one you don’t have to hesitate about buying if you liked what this band have been doing before.

Line up:
Øystein Garnes Brun – Guitar
Vintersorg (Andreas Hedlund) – Vocals
Lazare (Lars Nedland) – Keyboards
Jens F. Ryland – Guitar
Tyr (Jan Erik Tiwaz) – Bass
David Kinkade – Drums

Tracklist: 01. Havoc 02. Reason 03. The Stir Of Seasons 04. For A Thousand Years To Come 05. Abrasion Tide 06. Fleshflower 07. Worldwide 08. My Domain

Links:
Borknagar MySpace
Borknagar Official