Borknagar are ever-evolving. Never static, never predictable, defying labels and genres, a constantly morphing force of Progressive Extreme Metal that show no signs of stagnation. Previous album “Winter Thrice” was an absolute masterpiece that just gets better with time, but that was then and “True North” is now. There have been personnel changes with vocalist Vintersorg amicably stepping down and a new drummer and guitarist into the fold – the line-up is now founding member Øystein G. Brun (Clean and Electric Guitars) with Lars A. Nedland (Keys and Vocals), I.C.S. Vortex (Bass and Vocals), Jostein Thomassen (Lead Guitar) and Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow on Drums.
The line-up changes are no surprise in the history of Borknagar, Brun is the constant and that always shines though in their music, re-affirming the band’s identity with each release and there is vocal consistency too from Vortex and Nedland who always work so well together. As Vintersorg always handled the harsh vocals I feared that this was a side to Borknagar that would be consigned to the past, but not a bit of it as there is just as much vocal variation as ever on “True North”. Opener ‘Thunderous’ immediately backs this up, as it feels so familiar to “Winter Thrice” that it had me thinking the track was left over from those sessions in some way, but this is Borknagar and this song’s continuity is a great way of leading you into their next phase.
Indeed, there are plenty of the tracks included on “True North” that could easily be seen to continue the path chosen on “Winter Thrice”. ‘Thunderous’ is just the first in line, but along with ‘The Fire That Burns’, ‘Into The White’ and the substantial ‘Tidal’, there is plenty to remind the listener of Borknagar’s recent releases – but this is just half the story. This is an album full of fresh ideas and exploration – yet cleverly never deviating from the essence of what is Borknagar. OK, it’s a little sparse on blast-beats and intensely extreme sections, but that trademark Borknagar diversity is still apparent, switching seamlessly between heavy and melancholy, the emphasis has just shifted a little.
‘Up North’ for instance is possibly the most immediately accessible Borknagar track ever, with Vortex given free reign to be slightly random yet very melodic over an almost skippy back-beat. It’s a great track and might catch a few fans off guard – but that’s totally what Borknagar are about! ‘Lights’, with its instantly memorable bridge and chorus also leans heavily towards the accessible, as does ‘Mount Rapture’ but both easily retain their Borknagar-ness. ‘Wild Father’s Heart’ is possibly the nearest Borknagar have ever come to a “ballad”, laced as it is with sombre undertones and emotive vocal lines, and album closer ‘Voices’ is a Nedland-led Celtic Folk influenced epic slice of Tyr-esque Viking Metal, further highlighting the future musical avenues that are open to the band.
All Borknagar albums are growers, future listens are always rewarded and “Winter Thrice” was a prime example – a stunning album that just improves with age. If pushed I’m not sure right now that “True North” is on that level – but then, really I need three years living with it to truly judge! When comparing this album to its predecessor after just a few listens, there is certainly a different vibe and mood going on – the music is a hint less extreme, with a relaxation on the over-technical maybe and yes, there is more emphasis on melody and immediate memorability, but it sits well within that. Vocally the two singers work as well as they always have with both stepping up to fill any vocal void that has occurred – on the whole they manage more than admirably, but there is just occasionally something missing in the harmonies, intensity and delivery that Vintersorg brought – but if the band hadn’t had so many great vocalists at the same time in the past, we wouldn’t notice! Borknagar ARE ever-evolving and fans of the band like myself are prepared for that – we enjoy that about the band and applaud it! Here we have another damn fine chapter in a fabulous career which sets an exciting scene for the future.
(8.5/10 Andy Barker)
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