Borknagar - Empiricism (2001)

Borknagar really doesn't need any introduction, but I will provide one anyway. They're a Norwegian folk/black metal band who have housed the greatest vocalists in metal. Over time, they've put out some really great albums that started out more core black metal but lately have switched over to a more folk inspired sound, releasing their newest album, Origin, this year. Origin is completely acoustic and extremely folky. I still need to listen to it, but that's neither here nor there.

Over the years, Borknagar has had some incredible lyricists and vocalists, such as Simen "ICS Vortex" Hestnæs, Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg, and Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund. Hedlund is also the singer for Vintersorg, a band that also kicks inhuman amounts of ass. So, all of these men seem to have uncanny abilities for singing in a manner that completely melts face and writing lyrics that blow everyone else out of the water. In fact, Colossus, off of Quintessence still holds the record for best lyrics ever in my book. Those lyrics and vocals were by ICS Vortex, though. Alot of speculation is made referring to the best vocalist that Borknagar has ever had. Personally, I'm a fan of Vintersorg, followed by ICS Vortex, followed by Garm. Anywho, Empiricism is fucking awesome, and I'm going to tell you why.

Go listen to Inherit The Earth or The Stellar Dome and tell me this album doesn't obliterate everything ever made. See, you wouldn't be able to. Or, you'd lie about it and your brain would detach itself from your brain stem in defiance while boiling alive from the injustice just vomited from your mouth. This album has some great instrumental parts. Take The Stellar Dome, for instance. They usually overlap clean guitar with distorted guitar for an extra effect while overlapping that even with keyboard, usually played in order to create background ambiance. While this is happening, Vintersorg is overdubbing harsh vocals with clean vocals. The effect is just awesome.

I guess I should explain the whole overdubbing of vocals. I suppose it's become a bit of a trend with Borknagar vocalists. Vortex did it, Vintersorg did it, and I'm going to be honest, I don't know if Garm did it, because I never really bothered with their earlier material. I'm still too busy losing my mind over how awesome Empiricism and Quintessence are, and I've had them for like, a year. It creates an interesting break from what you usually get from these types of bands. However, the vocals are sometimes used completely clean, like in the beginning of Inherit The Earth. Those few seconds are my favorite of the entire album. Vintersorg's vocals kick ass, seriously.

Now, this album still has its more straight up black metal roots. The Genuine Pulse is basically an onslaught of blast beats and tremolo picking at the beginning, with a very melodic keyboard line beside it. Standard black metal growls, also. However, when the chorus comes, clean vocals come back in and compliment the harsher ones. The exchange of vocal parts on this album are just so fucking great. It's really not the "uber tr00 and kvlt" type of black metal some people want to hear. There is melody, so if you're a fan of raw black metal, you wouldn't like this. On a side note, I'd like to comment on just how gay raw black metal is. I hate it like nobody's business. In order for me to like black metal, it has to be atmospheric or symphonic ala Emperor, Naglfar, and Vesperian Sorrow. I'd rather get herpes than listen to Burzum.

So, in conclusion, this album is great. I know it's not a new album, but I've basically listened to nothing but it for the past week.