Bornholm - Inexorable Defiance

Some bands can take an album or two to 'settle in'. A couple of solid albums and then 'BANG!', pull off something fantastic because you tweaked things a little bit and found your 'direction' so to speak. I really get that impression from Bornholm's latest album 'Inexorable Defiance'. This is a band who has found their niche, and it works.

Still black metal, but without the grimness and coldness. This is more like five commanders of a huge viking ship setting sail into the night on an epic journey through thunderous seas to an island where they will one day rule and the lanterns in their castles will be so bright in the night, that they will be seen from space. That is the potential outcome, but lets take this for what it is now.

In a nutshell, loosely base this on pagan metal bands from say.. Finland (at least the ones that are not so cheesy). The difference here is this is serious. This is more like what Nokturnal Mortum has become through 'The Voice Of Steel' only this isn't full of lengthy songs or progressive passages.What I like is that Bornholm doesn't over do things. They time the placings of their instruments perfectly.

Tremolo riffs are there, but they don't smother. A wall of lifting fiery distortions trail along and then a tremolo will swing in from time to time. Take the lead work for instance, the acoustic passages, even the moments of disjointedness in some of the riffs. They don't shove it all down your throat in one go. They find balance and you don't get tired of any of it.

Take the synth work as well. They never make it so evident, more like a distant wave in sync with the riffs. Only in moments do they bring it to the front and just make it sound more epic. The same can be said for the vocals that basis itself on being harsh but still the moments of a clean take to add a bit of diversity and even for me, still adding a more serious and epic touch. Even the drum beats know when to keep it steady and when to flurry.

Think back to albums that breathed the real pagan spirit and place this one there. A piece of the hearts from Bathory's 'Hammerheart' and 'Twilight Of The Gods' but made to their own perfection. Well done and one of the surprises of the year..

Ikil