Urd Digi

I've been a fan of Borknagar since the release of "The Archaic Course" so I admittedly came on the bandwagon when the group was firing on all cylinders. I also own the follow up to that album, "Quintessence", and while it wasn't quite the epic that "The Archaic Course" was, I still found a lot to be excited about. Borknagar's style fits into a variety of tones, from blisteringly heavy to lengthy and epic to soft and melodic. When all of these forces come together at once is when Borknagar is at their best.I was intrigued by "Urd" when I learned that both Vintersorg and ICS Vortex (the two vocalists who separately make up the bulk of Borknagar's discography) were coming together on the same album. Visions of their past overwhelmingly amazing material danced through my head as I hit the purchase button to acquire this monumental moment in music history. What I received, unfortunately, was not what I hoped.The opening track Epochalypse delivers the goods, being absolutely everything I hoped it would be, I could honestly not be any happier with it. Roots, for all of the cool sounds that it employs, just doesn't leave a strong impression like the opener but if this was the only Borknagar track I'd ever heard I'm sure it is still good enough to inspire me to check out more. The Beauty of Dead Cities is another track that delivers exactly what I was hoping to hear, focusing on clean vocals and the peaceful/brutal transitions that made me love Borknagar to begin with.Now honestly, from here I could go through track by track and point out how each has great moments, how each delivers on some level, and it would sound like I highly recommend 'Urd'. I wish that was the case, I really do. I'm sure one day I'll have listened to 'Urd' enough that the glaring issue that led to a 3-star rating will no longer matter. But there is an issue, the same issue I had with their "Epic" album. Every song just seems to go on slightly too long. Like a friend you really like that overstays their welcome to the point that you're waiting for them to leave by the time they go.I can't pull a track off of this album for one of my friends to listen to because I already know that, for as impressed as they may be with a lot of it, they will eventually be bored of it by the time it finishes. I feel really bad about that too because I think Borknagar is one of those special bands that puts every ounce of creativity they have into each of their albums. There is no questioning the quality of the music or how dynamic it is, there are layers upon layers of content. It just can't seem to accomplish the most important part; keeping your attention.

The evolution of this band is incredible, and this record proves it. I just love the transitions they made from growls to super clean voice in the chorus. The lyrics are very well written for the most part, blast beats all over the album (I love that), theres feelings in some songs like "Epochalypse" and some are more happier in some way , "age of creation" is a perfect example.The instrumental "The plains of memories" is superb and shows what this guys can do.Its a superb album the best progressive/black/Experimental metal out there by far . I would reccommend it to anyone wanting something different or just anyone thats into this genre.PS:The artwork in this album is fantastic

When ICS Vortex joined Dimmu Borgir, I thought we would never see him doing anything else with Borknagar or Arcturus. Hearing that he was fired from Dimmu Borgir was music to my ears. I was just suprised how fast he released a solo album and how good it was. The release of this album was even better news. I knew that his vocals paired with Vintersorg were going to be nothing short of amazing!This album is absolute perfection! This is now my favorite Borknagar album! I cannot stop listening to it over and over. The compositions are complicated and beautiful. Vintersorg and ICS Vortex's vocals compliment eachother and will absolutely stun you! You get plenty of grim vocals and blast beats as well, so it definately has it's classic Black Metal moments. There is something here for anyone that loves Black Metal.On a side note, I find it hilarious that Dimmu Borgir implied that ICS Vortex is lazy and while they have been churning out "Quality" side projects, he hasn't done anything. This album along with his solo album make that statement absolutely laughable. Meanwhile they bring Snowy Shaw (WHY? WTF?) into the fold, realease the worst Dimmu Borgir album ever and then Snowy Shaw runs back to Therion. Thanks Dimmu Borgir! Without this decision we wouldn't have another wonderful Borknager album, an album that makes your work look like joke in comparison.Now, when is Arcturus going to release their next album???

Perfect condition!

Solid album, nothing has stood out to me thus far

I have been listining to Borknagar for several years now.In my opinion,their work just keeps getting beter with every album.The "Archaic Course" album was when they really started to stand out and shine.They have had three distinct voices,over the years.I.C.S. Vortex in earlier years.Untill he left to join Dimmu Borgir,around 2000.Next,came Andreas Hedlund (aka Vintersorg,Mr.V).The third voice comes from Lars A. Nedland (Keyboards,and Backing Vocals)since 1999.While the music has become more brilliant with every album,primarily thanks to Oystein G. Brun (Guitars),and Jens F. Ryland (Guitars). Now,in 2012 all three of those voices are finally togeather on the same album! Musically,"Urd" is a Folk/Melodic/Black Metal Masterpiece.Its smooth and flawless transicions from fast and brutal,to the most lavish of musical landscapes,is Borknagar at their finest! While the three vocalist's arrangments,are a fans dream come true! If you hav'nt checked them out,this is the album for you!!!!!!! 10 out of 10

This is the best kind of prog, where instead of sounding like parts from disparate genres stitched together, the music itself defies easy classification.I think this is a great album. I saw a review where someone complained about song lengths, to which I can only say, "Please grow an attention span."If you like heavy metal, and you also like prog, this is album-of-the-year-caliber material.

Absolutely amazing album, their top one as well.

This album was my introduction to Borknagar, and what an awesome start. This is really a awesome album, no bad songs here, every song is pure perfection. I am not the biggest black metal fan, but I do however like symphonic / melodic black metal, and this is just that. This is just such an beautiful album, awesome melodies, and then fast paced heavy black metal parts mixed into one opus of an album. At some stage, you might not even think you are listening to black metal at all.This is a must for every metal fan.

This album has even more melody than the Universe album and the front cover is very interesting. The band expands on their previous experiments adding more keyboard and acoustic guitar in to there sound. Experiments with Dynamics and rhythm and time signatures are all thrown in.

But the song 'Frostrite' by ICS Vortex is exquisite, very much in similar vein as his solo album.

...from Norway. In a league of it's own. Superb. Better songs, sound and production than your "usual" black metal. I recommend.

Fantastic