I get the digipack version this morning,amazing album the best they have done since empiricims.The three vocalist works xtremelly well,the riffs are amazing.
Congratulations guys!!
Congratulations guys!!
"Urd"
- Thread starter Alteredmindeath
- Start date
Helge-Uwe
Member
I'm already super-excited for the next one! :Smokedev:
How shall Urd be topped by just "using" matter?
How shall Urd be topped by just "using" matter?
The Metal Pigeon
Member
Helge-Uwe
Member
Review from Bravewords.com
BORKNAGAR
Urd
(Century Media)
Reviewed by : Jason Deaville
Rating : 10.0
If this latest album from Norway's BORKNAGAR is any indication, fellow countrymen DIMMU BORGIR have lost the plot… big time! One man is responsible for what makes both these bands so stunningly beautiful and epic. One man whose vocal prowess transcends the confines of our earthly vessels, reaching beyond the ethereal planes of space and time. One man whose seraphic voice can summon goosebumps upon the flesh of grown men. This man, one ICS Vortex, standing at a hulking 6'7" of pure viking blood, is the least likely candidate to possess the voice of an angel fallen from the ruins of a heaven in flames. Yet, there he is, once again lending his exceptional talents to the band he last fronted some twelve years ago. Since his hiatus from the band, all those many years ago, Borknagar have waivered with their recorded output, their strongest effort since being 2001's Empricisim. Vortex's replacement in the vocal department, Vintersorg, is certainly remarkable in his own right, but never really struck the same chord, or hit the same jaw-dropping notes, to these ears, that is. With Urd, fans are treated to the mastery of both vocalists, as each lends his voice to various songs throughout the proceedings. My preference notwithstanding, the band has done an incredible job of matching vocal styles to suitable songs, which allows each vocalist the opportunity to shine where their respective registers make the most sense. Let us not forget there exists a mastermind behind the scenes. The person who creates the beautiful and majestic tapestries with which said vocals are interwoven. This daunting task, handled with precision and utmost care, is left to band mastermind, Oystein Brun. In Brun's more than capable hands, Urd is without fault. Each intro, bridge, passage, chorus, and outro exudes a warmness that is a stark contradiction to the themes at hand. Take for instance the album's defining moment, entitled 'Frostrite'. This song, though a hymn to eternal frost and harsh nordic landscapes, cuts through the soul like a heated dagger. It pierces the heart with its evocative and emotionally charged composition. I found myself completely enraptured by this song, and instinctively reached for the stars as Vortex's haunting voice sent me astral-travelling throughout the vast black expanse that is our universe. Each and every song on Urd is a new journey further into this darkness. This isn't to say the album doesn't have moments of pure elation. It's the sporadic glimpses of the light of nearby star clusters and galaxies that pull the listener from the universe's cold, dark grasp with a reaffirmation that there exists something beyond this void. What that might be certainly can't be answered by Borknagar, but one listen to Urd and you will feel that much closer to understanding what it all means.
BORKNAGAR
Urd
(Century Media)
Reviewed by : Jason Deaville
Rating : 10.0
If this latest album from Norway's BORKNAGAR is any indication, fellow countrymen DIMMU BORGIR have lost the plot… big time! One man is responsible for what makes both these bands so stunningly beautiful and epic. One man whose vocal prowess transcends the confines of our earthly vessels, reaching beyond the ethereal planes of space and time. One man whose seraphic voice can summon goosebumps upon the flesh of grown men. This man, one ICS Vortex, standing at a hulking 6'7" of pure viking blood, is the least likely candidate to possess the voice of an angel fallen from the ruins of a heaven in flames. Yet, there he is, once again lending his exceptional talents to the band he last fronted some twelve years ago. Since his hiatus from the band, all those many years ago, Borknagar have waivered with their recorded output, their strongest effort since being 2001's Empricisim. Vortex's replacement in the vocal department, Vintersorg, is certainly remarkable in his own right, but never really struck the same chord, or hit the same jaw-dropping notes, to these ears, that is. With Urd, fans are treated to the mastery of both vocalists, as each lends his voice to various songs throughout the proceedings. My preference notwithstanding, the band has done an incredible job of matching vocal styles to suitable songs, which allows each vocalist the opportunity to shine where their respective registers make the most sense. Let us not forget there exists a mastermind behind the scenes. The person who creates the beautiful and majestic tapestries with which said vocals are interwoven. This daunting task, handled with precision and utmost care, is left to band mastermind, Oystein Brun. In Brun's more than capable hands, Urd is without fault. Each intro, bridge, passage, chorus, and outro exudes a warmness that is a stark contradiction to the themes at hand. Take for instance the album's defining moment, entitled 'Frostrite'. This song, though a hymn to eternal frost and harsh nordic landscapes, cuts through the soul like a heated dagger. It pierces the heart with its evocative and emotionally charged composition. I found myself completely enraptured by this song, and instinctively reached for the stars as Vortex's haunting voice sent me astral-travelling throughout the vast black expanse that is our universe. Each and every song on Urd is a new journey further into this darkness. This isn't to say the album doesn't have moments of pure elation. It's the sporadic glimpses of the light of nearby star clusters and galaxies that pull the listener from the universe's cold, dark grasp with a reaffirmation that there exists something beyond this void. What that might be certainly can't be answered by Borknagar, but one listen to Urd and you will feel that much closer to understanding what it all means.
gaz
Stargazer
Yes I was finally able to buy the CD last Wednesday.
Strangely my local specialist metal shop (Sydney, Australia) had the US digipak with 1 bonus track (Age of Creation).
Great to finally play the CD on my decent-ish home system, production sounds great, mix is evenly balanced.
The songs are killer from start to finish, the 3 way vocalists sound amazing, the 2 V men work and sound perfect together.
Easily the best album of the year and the best I have heard from Borknagar or anyone for a long time.
9.5/10
Strangely my local specialist metal shop (Sydney, Australia) had the US digipak with 1 bonus track (Age of Creation).
Great to finally play the CD on my decent-ish home system, production sounds great, mix is evenly balanced.
The songs are killer from start to finish, the 3 way vocalists sound amazing, the 2 V men work and sound perfect together.
Easily the best album of the year and the best I have heard from Borknagar or anyone for a long time.
9.5/10
Allfader
Kvelding
I did a review for the album, if you're interested:
http://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Borknagar/Urd/328348/
http://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Borknagar/Urd/328348/
gaz
Stargazer
Ah nice review mate.
I picked up the vinyls of Urd and Universal on the weekend from a local record shop.
Universal is a double LP, gatefold sleeve, with the 2 bonus tracks and heavy (180g?) vinyl.
While CM seemed to have taken short cuts, single LP, thinner vinyl and no bonus track(s).
Yet Universal was $6 cheaper than Urd.
I picked up the vinyls of Urd and Universal on the weekend from a local record shop.
Universal is a double LP, gatefold sleeve, with the 2 bonus tracks and heavy (180g?) vinyl.
While CM seemed to have taken short cuts, single LP, thinner vinyl and no bonus track(s).
Yet Universal was $6 cheaper than Urd.
Helge-Uwe
Member
a very good review indeed. I also like the 55% review since it describes the feelings towards that album by a person not familiar with that black metal/folk thing.
That was a very nice review (assuming it's the first one) and I enjoyed reading it.
I've only been listening to Borknagar for about a year and a half now. I definitely don't have as much history when listening to the new album, so maybe I come to it a bit differently in some respects. And maybe not in others - Empiricism has come to be my favorite of the Vintersorg albums and from what I've read, that one seems to be a fan favorite.
Anyway, I think Urd is a great album. It's very strong from start to finish, and I rarely find myself wanting to skip a track; occasionally the bonus track, but that's about it. The songs are good, and that's probably the most important thing. I do prefer the drumming on Empiricism and Epic to the drumming on Urd and Universal, but that's kind of a small thing.
Vocally, this album is really stunning, and I agree that Vintersorg's vocals here are better than on some of the previous albums. The vocals end of The Earthling are pretty damn cool indeed. I've become a fan of Lars' voice and I'm glad to get to hear more of him on Urd than on the other albums. The vocal highlight for me are Simen's vocals, and I suppose that's to be expected because his voice is the reason I sought out Borknagar in the first place. I can't even pretend to be objective (but then, who really is objective when it comes to vocals?) For some reason, his vocals just work for me on a whole different level than anyone else's. I would like this album without his involvement, but his vocals make even the songs where he only has a brief part that much better, to my ears.
I've only been listening to Borknagar for about a year and a half now. I definitely don't have as much history when listening to the new album, so maybe I come to it a bit differently in some respects. And maybe not in others - Empiricism has come to be my favorite of the Vintersorg albums and from what I've read, that one seems to be a fan favorite.
Anyway, I think Urd is a great album. It's very strong from start to finish, and I rarely find myself wanting to skip a track; occasionally the bonus track, but that's about it. The songs are good, and that's probably the most important thing. I do prefer the drumming on Empiricism and Epic to the drumming on Urd and Universal, but that's kind of a small thing.
Vocally, this album is really stunning, and I agree that Vintersorg's vocals here are better than on some of the previous albums. The vocals end of The Earthling are pretty damn cool indeed. I've become a fan of Lars' voice and I'm glad to get to hear more of him on Urd than on the other albums. The vocal highlight for me are Simen's vocals, and I suppose that's to be expected because his voice is the reason I sought out Borknagar in the first place. I can't even pretend to be objective (but then, who really is objective when it comes to vocals?) For some reason, his vocals just work for me on a whole different level than anyone else's. I would like this album without his involvement, but his vocals make even the songs where he only has a brief part that much better, to my ears.
I must say I've been waiting for this album so long since 'Universal' was a bit of a let down for me and 'Urd' is a huge improvement. all in all I really like the album, the material is ballanced and I'm glad Vintersorg, Vortex and Lazare's vocal duties shifting greatly. my fav' albums of bork will always be 'Quintessence' and 'Empiricism' because these are the ones who gave me the most epic vibe and feelings towards the years and every time i've been listening to them but 'Urd' is indeed epic in almost every asspect and this is one of the best things i've heard in 2012 as for now. fav' songs will be; 'The Winter Eclipse', 'The Beauty of Dead Cities', 'Frostirite', 'Im A deeper World'. oh and, the bonus track is great also! 
gaz
Stargazer
I was visiting Sydney's specialist metal shop (Utopia Records) on Saturday, and they had 'Urd' playing over the store music system.
Sounded great and I was singing along, while browsing through.
Sounded great and I was singing along, while browsing through.
Øjeblikket
Member
It's an enjoyable album, just wish that Vintersorg wouldn't have used his coarse vocals.
They sound too contrived.
They sound too contrived.
Øjeblikket
Member
ok, I lied. Vintersorg's coarse vocals just take a few listens to catch on. I think the vocal mix was handled quite nicely in fact. Nice harmonies.
Helge-Uwe
Member
matt schrauben
Curse You All Men!
Got this album yesterday. I've only listened to it once through and I'm digging it pretty hard. The vocal arrangements are just fabulous.
Allfader
Kvelding
Helge-Uwe
Member
