I have no affiliation with this publication, but this closely echoes my sentiments and I think the Vintersorgians here will appreciate it the same...
I have two phrases to start off this review with, and both of them will shock the Metal-world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH VINTERSORG!!!!!!!!
2. THIS BURIES THE NEW EMPEROR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's right, baby! If you put Vintersorg in the fold of anything, it instantly takes on a whole new life. Let me tell you something. I could give a piss if BORKNAGAR ceased to exist. I have never really given a crap about them. They were in that file under "too much to figure out" column.
So next. This is easily a better record than "Prometheus" from EMPEROR: BORKNAGAR figured it out and have created one ass whipper of an album - melodic, brutal, eloquent, progressive, morbid, beautiful, baddmutherfuckingass!!!
Also, it never hurts to have the drummer from SPIRAL ARCHITECT help out (his playing is alright, and if you believe that, well....) (Asgeir isn't only a stand-in, he is permanent! - Alex) and the ever-underappreciated Tyr who has no problem showing his bass-abilities to everyone. Also a plus are the piano interludes and wonderful use of the keyboards and fuckin pinpoint clean vocal patterns.
This is definitely top 5 of 2001. I suggest you all listen...............