Century Media Records – 2012 – Norway
The new Borknagar album could be described as a mix between old Borknagar and new Borknagar. Some of the elements here are truly more back to the roots. I don’t know if that has something to do with the return of ICS Vortex or not, but I appreciate it. Their last album was too progressive for some of their fans, but I guess that they will like this new album more. Some of the progressive elements from “Universal” are also here on this album, but not so much. Even some of the elements here remind me a bit of ICS Vortex solo album, but the most of it is from the older times. On the regular version are 9 songs and the digipak version are 10 songs. The bonus track is a cover version of a Metallica song. Some of the songs from this album are truly amazing and one can really enjoy this record as something to listen too in a row without skipping any song from it. The vocal duels of Andreas Hedlund and ICS Vortex are very amazing and the listeners can enjoy listening to two of the best vocals from this genre. When it comes to the music, I must say that Borknagar have some surprises on this record. One of them is the song “The Beauty of Dead Cities”. When I heard this song for the first time, I immediately thought about Beatles. This particular song sounds like a harder version of a Beatles song. Very well done and very interesting. Also the next track here on this record is very interesting in my opinion and I would recommend it to everyone. I am speaking about the song “The Earthling”. This song goes back through time to the “The Archaic Course” times with some new elements and also with some of the interesting keyboard things from their album “Quintessence”. It is maybe even the closest song to “Oceans Rise” in my opinion. I don’t have to go too much into the music, because Borknagar are by now a well established band and we all know how good the band members are as musicians. From that site when won’t hear anything bad. They are all great musicians and they have proved it once more. The production is also very good. After listening to this entire album, I can’t say that there is something bad with it and I am sure that this record will be one of the best records of the year 2012.
9/10
