Borknagar

Well it may be a debut but it sounds more like the final master work of a band never to perform together again. Funilly enough it's both, as this is the only Borknagar album with this line up. Garm of Ulver and Arcturus fame handles vocal duties alongside members of Gorgoroth, Immortal, Enslaved and Molested. Is it any wonder this record tops the black metal genre. But do not be fooled by the allure of many a great song-writer involved in this project, this is black metal with a level of aggression and rawness to rival any of the early classics of the genre. However one thing this album has over the other contenders, for crown of best black metal album of the early nineties, is indeed it's song writing. The album may open with a mad flurry of blasting fury and throat tearing screams, but emerging from this brutal opening is real tangible melody, great riffing and atmospheres thick as blood. Yes indeed this album is the truly epic origin (puns intended) of Borkangar. This record continues in the same vain for a further forty minutes of blissful folk infused black metal, complete with atmospheric keyboard interludes of a viking nature and Garm's occaisional use of clean vocals. Grim's drumming is a real highlight too, showing restraint - where appropriate - to give the wonderful atmospheres room to breathe, whilst at the same time demonstrating why he was one of the most highly regarded musicians in his field, may he rest in peace. The bass guitars (here performed by the legendary Infernus of Gorgoroth) are high up in the mix, giving more structure and melody to the typicaly vicious rhythmn guitars. But new fans who have understandably fallen in love with the folk album Origin be warned, this is black metal and not for the faint hearted. And, as with all black metal albums, it takes time to appreciate the music buried beneath the typicaly low production values. Highly recomended for fans of early Satyricon, Ulver, and Enslaved.