BORKNAGAR: Universal (BLACK METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In 2006, the combo had tried the acoustic style exercise with a more than mitigated "Origin". What did the Norwegians have in store for us for this eighth album?

Apart from the opening of "Havoc" which will remind us of "House Of The Rising Sun" version of The Animals, Borknagar takes us on a new progressive black journey tinged with folk music so dear to Vintersorg. As such, the latter's influence on the project is such that Borknagar's approach is more than ever close to Vintersorg's solo project. The only notable difference concerns the lyrics that are available in Norwegian for this last eponymous project, thus accentuating the folk aspect.

Borknagar's approach in general, and this "Universal" in particular, can be summed up in an alternation of devastating blast-beat, via the striking double pedal of the newcomer Kinkade, enchanting acoustic folk breaks, and clear and heady choruses sung by Vintersorg's.

A most appetizing recipe that however proves to be a bit repetitive. To the Norwegians' credit, let's admit that the style exercise is particularly complicated. Thus Borknagar does not escape the fault with notably "Fleshflower" which abuses to excess the folkloric effect which becomes caricatural for the occasion! Effect that one might have thought was taken up on "Worlwide" so much the beginning starts on similar bases. Fortunately, "Universal" ends in the most beautiful way with the sublime "My Domain" on which an old acquaintance of the combo - namely I.C.S. Vortex who served in the group from 1997 to 2000 - will lay its vocal lines, which are also so specific.

In the end, if Borknagar doesn't revolutionize his recipe in any way, the fact remains that apart from certain lengths and some "dispensable" tracks, "Universal" is an honest album. However, if we have no doubt that the fans will enjoy this new offering, we are still entitled to expect a little more than a good album from a combo as magical as Borknagar! - Official website

BORKNAGAR

UNIVERSAL

INDIE RECORDINGS

BLACK METAL