ARCHAIC COURSE/EDITION LIMITEE

Description

This is a reissue of the Norwegian band's third album, originally released in 1998, a busy year for Borknagar: a significant lineup change with the arrival of a new guitarist, Jens F. Ryland, and the departure of Garm (for his project Ulver), who was immediately replaced by the great Simen Hestnæs. 1998 also marked the band's official entry into the big leagues, as "The Archaic Course" earned them an invitation to Wacken Open Air and tours with Emperor, Cradle Of Filth, Napalm Death, and Peccatum, among others. Musically, we're not dealing with a major change from the band; the excellent epic and folk Black Metal is still present, but this time with some rather original contributions. The guitarists continue to develop complex and catchy riffs, the drummer has an infallible rhythm, and the new singer, well, he's more than just talented: Simen possesses a hyper-melodic clean voice ("Universal") without ever falling into heavy territory, but also an excellent, fierce black metal voice. On the track "Universal," which is intended to be one of the album's best songs, we can talk about original contributions to the album. "Universal" is sung entirely with clean vocals, and it's there that one realizes Garm's departure wasn't so serious after all, as Simen fully exploited his voice, showcasing its full range. The track "Ad Noctum" is very special because keyboards are prominent... a Hammond Organ sound that makes the whole thing very Rock 'n Roll and above all very original.