Borknagar - Urd

I was really interested to see how Borknagar would go given the return of Vortex and how he would work along side Vintersorg in the vocal duties. This was sure to add some extra spice to a band that I felt it seemed like they were running out of ideas with their last few albums. 'Urd' is certainly a step up and a definite return to form for a band who has been a great example of how the influence of black metal can spiral out into many different forms.

Well the first thing that took me by surprise was not only how well Vortex and Vintersorg work together, but also the way Lars Nedland's vocals are brought into the mix as well. All of them have prominent roles throughout the album. Sometimes they will lead together or back each other up. When Vintersorg is spitting out his harsh vocals, you may hear a distant harmony from Vortex's voice in the background like a reminder to a group of explorers that the ghosts of their forefathers are with them on their journey through the forests.

Vintersorg could almost leave his clean vocals behind as Vortex and Lars just add so much more of an epic and operatic feel to this album. Just listen to the way Vortex comes into the middle songs like 'Epochalypse' or 'Roots', the way he commands 'In A Deeper World' or the way he and Lars opens 'The Beauty Of Dead Cries'. Dimmu Borgir's loss has become Borknagar's gain. Vortex was going to waste in Dimmu and he has been used exactly how he should be here.

The guitars feel like they are held back a bit. Besides some of the lead work that gets to breathe a bit, I would have liked them to have more of a lift in the mix but then again, I have found that to be a familiar trait in Borknagar's sound. They always seem to be on the same level with the keyboards. What this does do though is add a more symphonic or orchestral vibe which again pushes the epic feel. And yes, even a progressive one. It does make you concentrate on the riffs more when the tremolo riffs are speeding along with the drums which makes this feel like this music is being played along with a distant wind that is bringing the clouds above the explorers. And when the clean melodies are introduced at various moments, it feels like faint raindrops falling on the explorers as they exit from the woods and come out into the open fields.

As I said before, the drumming is like a wind. A slightly harsh wind. It is all in a good way though. It helps make this epic journey for these explorers a not so pleasant one. It is windy and it is cold. And a fog slowly rises when the double kicks  and snares whisk through the woods and across the fields. When this mixes in with those tremolo riffs, it can also give off a feeling as though something bad might happen. Almost like a tense moment but then breaks away triumphantly. Listen to 'The Winter Eclipse' to see what I mean.  

The next time I take a bush walk or if I ever get to explore the forests in Norway should I ever visit there again, this album may be the perfect soundtrack for that adventure. For me, 'Urd' is Borknagar's best work since 'Empiricism'. Great work!

Ikil