"Urd" - Page 2

Darklorddany · March 12th, 2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devourer

Some samples: http://www.amazon.com/Urd/dp/B007HID...mm_msc_title_0

There are quite a few great songs as far as I can hear!

Wow..good tip..I have been listening a lot of times every piece of song :P

Damn, I cant wait! :P

ErikSL · March 13th, 2012, 09:54 AM

I'm curious as to when this album will leak. I already ordered, but man I would love to have my hands on it right now.

Oh there is also a telephone interview with Oystein on the net somewhere that contains some more clips....I forget the link!

Darklorddany · March 13th, 2012, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikSL

I'm curious as to when this album will leak. I already ordered, but man I would love to have my hands on it right now.

Oh there is also a telephone interview with Oystein on the net somewhere that contains some more clips....I forget the link!

I didn't knew about this. I saw your message and with a quick search I have found this

http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/...sitemID=171122

ErikSL · March 14th, 2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darklorddany

I didn't knew about this. I saw your message and with a quick search I have found this

http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/...sitemID=171122

Ya that's the one. It's an excellent interview, if you can understand it that is...quality is not so great. Makes me want to give Oystein a big hug. Cool guy!

Agah · March 15th, 2012, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErikSL

I'm curious as to when this album will leak. I already ordered, but man I would love to have my hands on it right now.

Oh there is also a telephone interview with Oystein on the net somewhere that contains some more clips....I forget the link!

I guess I'm an asshole for even saying this publicly, but people on Last.Fm are saying that it's leaked.

KRaEzTaIuRmED · March 16th, 2012, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agah

I guess I'm an asshole for even saying this publicly, but people on Last.Fm are saying that it's leaked.

The people who want to buy it will, the people who won't never will. You can't escape this reality, only pretend it doesn't exist.

Qtulhu · March 17th, 2012, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazaum

The people who want to buy it will, the people who won't never will. You can't escape this reality, only pretend it doesn't exist.

Indeed. I have seen that before when album by some smaller band was released and it appeared in Internet a month after the official release date. Before that very few were listening to it and suddenly many (in last.fm) were listening to it (obviously leaked version). Those who have no intention to buy the album never will. They will just wait it to leak or they will ignore it. Definitely not true fans.

Allfader · March 17th, 2012, 12:59 PM

Already preordered. Looks like it's their best since Empiricism.

gaz · March 18th, 2012, 03:08 AM

Yes it has leaked and it's brilliant, best they have done for a while.
The new vocal combination works extremely well.

PhlegethonVeins · March 23rd, 2012, 07:50 AM

Fans of the band won't be disappointed, and largely will see it as among their best material. I dig it, but largely feel its among the more overly felated albums in the reviewing circuit as of the last few years.

Darklorddany · March 26th, 2012, 08:23 AM

Hello All...
Regarding the comments of Oystein Borknagar.com he said "On another note we are currently working on a project that we will reveal soon, we are really excited about it and hopefully it will grant an additional and worthy dimension to our expression….. It sounds like a Video, maybe?
Anyone have a clue about this?

Helge-Uwe · March 27th, 2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaz

Yes it has leaked and it's brilliant, best they have done for a while.
The new vocal combination works extremely well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helge-Uwe

can't wait! not too sure about a more aggressive touch though...

..and how right I was. less blast beats, more epic choral style and very rhythmical midtempo.... but as already mentioned, that works EXTREMELY well. great vocals, Lazare also got much (!) more space in singing. Very Solefald-like in my opinion.
I'm looking so much forward to the Inferno gig. Hopefully we get some Rivalry of Phantoms too

WinterMillennium · March 28th, 2012, 07:52 AM

just picked it up this morning... I'll need more than one listen, but I think this one might just be the one they've been threatening to make for years now. props for more Lars as well!

Nick_Perrin · March 28th, 2012, 10:40 AM

So happy with the choice of vocalists on this one. The return of Simen is a great thing.

Allfader · March 29th, 2012, 12:35 PM

The album beats the shit out of Universal, especially in the production department. This is the most epic Borknagar album since Empiricism and the one with the 'oldest' vibe since Quintessence.

The addition of Vortex and the greater contributions of Lazare in vocals made a huge impact; hell, even Vintersorg sounds now as good or better than he did on Empiricism! Andreas sounds as powerful as Lars and Simen, I think it's cause now Andreas doesn't need to struggle to reach so high notes - which Simen and Lars can reach better. Andreas in baritone/lower tenor register sounds just perfect, Lars sounds far better going higher so they compliment each other nicely.

I like the more streamlined structure of the songs, they flow pretty well. I have the impression that Urd benefits from the 'less is more' thing: Dave's drumming is technical but more flowing than Universal and he's way more integrated to the whole band, although some of his fills tends to draw some speed and force in some sections. The riffs? are excellent! I was reminded of TAC and TOD sometimes, the soloing is also very good! fits very well and since it's more used, adds more room to the vocals to rest a little bit and the instrumentarion to shine.

My fav songs/sections:

Epochalypse: it resumes very well what Urd offers.

The Beauty of Dead Cities: Lars sounds like a norse god here. I like the 'prog' feeling of the song and it's mellower feel.

The Earthling: I like how is builds tension until the most epic chorus/finale I've heard from Andreas since Inherit the Earth I AM THE EARTHLING!

Frostrite: It sounds sometimes like the ICS Vortex solo material, but it's a fairly diverse song.

The Winter Eclipse: epic and furious stuff!

In a Deeper World: Epicness at forgotten proportions. This song closes the album in a similar way Winter Millenium did for The Archaic Course. It's one of the best performances I've heard from Vortex, probably the best since Colossus.

Congrats, guys! it's a 9,8/10 album for me, which is really something given today's standards.

jamj1974 · March 30th, 2012, 08:41 AM

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!!

Helge-Uwe · April 1st, 2012, 01:59 PM

I'm already super-excited for the next one!

How shall Urd be topped by just "using" matter?

The Metal Pigeon · April 2nd, 2012, 10:46 PM

Just posted a review of this up at The Metal Pigeon!

Helge-Uwe · April 4th, 2012, 05:12 AM

very good review.

Alteredmindeath · April 4th, 2012, 04:37 PM

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.

gaz · April 6th, 2012, 01:06 PM

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

Allfader · April 17th, 2012, 06:13 PM

I did a review for the album, if you're interested:

http://www.metal-archives.com/review...ar/Urd/328348/

gaz · April 18th, 2012, 06:30 PM

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.

Helge-Uwe · April 19th, 2012, 06:32 AM

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.

Black Swan · April 21st, 2012, 12:00 PM

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.

March 13th, 2012, 09:54 AM	#27 (permalink)
ErikSL groove junkie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 473	I'm curious as to when this album will leak. I already ordered, but man I would love to have my hands on it right now. Oh there is also a telephone interview with Oystein on the net somewhere that contains some more clips....I forget the link! __________________ .....

March 17th, 2012, 12:59 PM	#33 (permalink)
Allfader Kvelding Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Near Mountains Posts: 1,748	Already preordered. Looks like it's their best since Empiricism. __________________ «Sola gaar bak Aase ned Skuggan' bli saa lange Natte kjem snart atteved Teke meg i Fange» Forestfather in Bandcamp - Listen the new Forestfather MCD 'Hereafter'! Atmospheric post/black metal Forestfather in Facebook Vahşet in ReverbNation - Death metal

March 23rd, 2012, 07:50 AM	#35 (permalink)
PhlegethonVeins Autopsy Obsessed Join Date: May 2005 Location: WI Posts: 6,170	Fans of the band won't be disappointed, and largely will see it as among their best material. I dig it, but largely feel its among the more overly felated albums in the reviewing circuit as of the last few years. __________________ http://www.last.fm/user/Nehebkau I am a god. A prime being. I shall impale you on the crumbled pillars Of the millennium.

March 28th, 2012, 10:40 AM	#39 (permalink)
Nick_Perrin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Toronto/Kingston Posts: 173	So happy with the choice of vocalists on this one. The return of Simen is a great thing. __________________ HEAR NICK'S MUSIC Last edited by Nick_Perrin : March 28th, 2012 at 10:46 AM.

March 29th, 2012, 12:35 PM	#40 (permalink)
Allfader Kvelding Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Near Mountains Posts: 1,748	The album beats the shit out of Universal, especially in the production department. This is the most epic Borknagar album since Empiricism and the one with the 'oldest' vibe since Quintessence. The addition of Vortex and the greater contributions of Lazare in vocals made a huge impact; hell, even Vintersorg sounds now as good or better than he did on Empiricism! Andreas sounds as powerful as Lars and Simen, I think it's cause now Andreas doesn't need to struggle to reach so high notes - which Simen and Lars can reach better. Andreas in baritone/lower tenor register sounds just perfect, Lars sounds far better going higher so they compliment each other nicely. I like the more streamlined structure of the songs, they flow pretty well. I have the impression that Urd benefits from the 'less is more' thing: Dave's drumming is technical but more flowing than Universal and he's way more integrated to the whole band, although some of his fills tends to draw some speed and force in some sections. The riffs? are excellent! I was reminded of TAC and TOD sometimes, the soloing is also very good! fits very well and since it's more used, adds more room to the vocals to rest a little bit and the instrumentarion to shine. My fav songs/sections: Epochalypse: it resumes very well what Urd offers. The Beauty of Dead Cities: Lars sounds like a norse god here. I like the 'prog' feeling of the song and it's mellower feel. The Earthling: I like how is builds tension until the most epic chorus/finale I've heard from Andreas since Inherit the Earth I AM THE EARTHLING! Frostrite: It sounds sometimes like the ICS Vortex solo material, but it's a fairly diverse song. The Winter Eclipse: epic and furious stuff! In a Deeper World: Epicness at forgotten proportions. This song closes the album in a similar way Winter Millenium did for The Archaic Course. It's one of the best performances I've heard from Vortex, probably the best since Colossus. Congrats, guys! it's a 9,8/10 album for me, which is really something given today's standards. __________________ «Sola gaar bak Aase ned Skuggan' bli saa lange Natte kjem snart atteved Teke meg i Fange» Forestfather in Bandcamp - Listen the new Forestfather MCD 'Hereafter'! Atmospheric post/black metal Forestfather in Facebook Vahşet in ReverbNation - Death metal

March 18th, 2012, 03:08 AM	#34 (permalink)
gaz Stargazer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Far Beyond The Galaxy Posts: 465	Yes it has leaked and it's brilliant, best they have done for a while. The new vocal combination works extremely well.

March 26th, 2012, 08:23 AM	#36 (permalink)
Darklorddany Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 180	Hello All... Regarding the comments of Oystein Borknagar.com he said "On another note we are currently working on a project that we will reveal soon, we are really excited about it and hopefully it will grant an additional and worthy dimension to our expression….. It sounds like a Video, maybe? Anyone have a clue about this?

March 28th, 2012, 07:52 AM	#38 (permalink)
WinterMillennium The Trickster Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: UK Posts: 105	just picked it up this morning... I'll need more than one listen, but I think this one might just be the one they've been threatening to make for years now. props for more Lars as well!

March 30th, 2012, 08:41 AM	#41 (permalink)
jamj1974 death is certain... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: spain Posts: 192	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!!

April 1st, 2012, 01:59 PM	#42 (permalink)
Helge-Uwe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 195	I'm already super-excited for the next one! How shall Urd be topped by just "using" matter? __________________ We have to remember that what we observe is not nature herself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning. Last edited by Helge-Uwe : April 2nd, 2012 at 05:29 AM.

April 2nd, 2012, 10:46 PM	#43 (permalink)
The Metal Pigeon Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Houston, Texas, USA Posts: 329	Just posted a review of this up at The Metal Pigeon! __________________ Commentaries and Opinions on Metal

April 4th, 2012, 05:12 AM	#44 (permalink)
Helge-Uwe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 195	very good review. __________________ We have to remember that what we observe is not nature herself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning.

April 4th, 2012, 04:37 PM	#45 (permalink)
Alteredmindeath Pathfinder Chronicler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Underneath your bed Posts: 6,651	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. __________________ http://paizo.com/pathfinder http://eclipsephase.com/ http://palladiumbooks.com/ http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/ed...te.asp?eidm=50

April 6th, 2012, 01:06 PM	#46 (permalink)
gaz Stargazer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Far Beyond The Galaxy Posts: 465	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

April 17th, 2012, 06:13 PM	#47 (permalink)
Allfader Kvelding Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Near Mountains Posts: 1,748	I did a review for the album, if you're interested: http://www.metal-archives.com/review...ar/Urd/328348/ __________________ «Sola gaar bak Aase ned Skuggan' bli saa lange Natte kjem snart atteved Teke meg i Fange» Forestfather in Bandcamp - Listen the new Forestfather MCD 'Hereafter'! Atmospheric post/black metal Forestfather in Facebook Vahşet in ReverbNation - Death metal

April 18th, 2012, 06:30 PM	#48 (permalink)
gaz Stargazer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Far Beyond The Galaxy Posts: 465	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.

April 19th, 2012, 06:32 AM	#49 (permalink)
Helge-Uwe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 195	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. __________________ We have to remember that what we observe is not nature herself, but nature exposed to our method of questioning.

April 21st, 2012, 12:00 PM	#50 (permalink)
Black Swan Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 57	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.