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Borknagar > Origin > Reviews
Borknagar - Origin

Spineless, but not shine-less - 68%

autothrall, March 6th, 2020
Written based on this version: 2006, CD, Century Media Records (Germany)

I tend to abhor the 'acoustic album' as a rite of passage, which is unusual since I have no problem with well-written acoustic songs, or the use of the instrument intermixed with heavier music. But for so long there seems to be this impulse which necessitates that most bands have to produce some chilled out acoustic experience which somehow grants them some ephemeral sense of legitimacy. Fuck it, make mine electric! Now, you wouldn't need a trip to the oracle at Delphi to tell you that an acoustic Borknagar album was going to be inevitable, the band is simply too rooted in its folk influences to ignore the possibility, especially having settled in with Vintersorg, who is also a proponent of the style with some of his other projects.

To their credit, Borknagar did not just phone in a predictable 'unplugged' album of previous released material, at least not for the most part. "Oceans Rise" is a new version of the track off of The Archaic Course, and not terribly welcome on my part, not just because its acoustic, but because I just don't enjoy Vintersorg's voice as much as Vortex's snarls or cleans on the original. To that effect, I have never really been able to get much into Origin. I can appreciate the subtle nature of this transition, and the wonderful production that delivers each light beat and shining string with such clarity. The vocals and backing vocals are mixed very well, balanced between delicate verses and powerful choruses that emphasize Hedlund's strengths. Most of the original compositions for this are quite nice, and probably would serve well to give the band a breather at a live performance, but I only find a few of the riffs memorable in this acoustic context, and I sense that the same things delivered with electric guitars and heavier drumming would probably sound stronger.

"White" is an exception, because I liked the creeping progressive nature of its structure and it has one of my favorite vocal performances from Vintersorg ever in this band, and "The Human Nature" is another excellent example of where it all works due to the vocal arrangements. It's also not just some bare-boned exhibition of acoustic guitars and drums, there are also violins, flutes, cellos, and fretless bass all over the place to really flesh out this sound. In fact, I think for fans of pure folk music, this one might have some staying power. If you just like sitting by the bay, or around the campfire, as the birds dart about, the clouds ramble on through their adventures, nursing wine or mead, just desiring the simplicity and warmth that this medium of music can provide, with the band's introspective form of lyrics that examine the self's place in the natural world, this is certainly successful. This if Viking Hippy 101, but in terms of memorable construction it just doesn't always achieve what the band has long been able to while plugged in. To some degree it's a bit of a sedative, I feel like falling asleep several times through the experience, not necessarily a bad thing but not what I'm after. And the two instrumental tracks here are by far the most dull, thankfully brief.

Granted, this is a sort of one-off 'experiment' and might not be considered a true Borknagar album, but it's clear that some effort went into this with a lot of new songs, so I can't exactly isolate it as some non-canon stepchild. Thus, it's my single least favorite in their actual studio discography, but that's not to say it isn't decent for what it is and that some fraction of the band's audience is bound to fall in love with it. I just find too much of it to be samey and lack the dynamics of their metal work.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

The most beautiful nature comes to my mind - 98%

fjällvinter, January 6th, 2008

Finally we have an acoustic album from the folk/progressive/black metal band Borknagar.


This is a very beautiful album. Top-notch production, great nature atmosphere, very cohesive songwriting, variated songs, etc.


The guitars are really awesome. The folkish vibe is present here at the same level as their underrated brilliant debut and the highly acclaimed viking album 'The Olden Domain'. When you hear the guitars, you know the pagan spirit is still present (at least on the music). Brun is an excellent musician and the main composer, showing all his talent and song-wise on this album, one of the best acoustical efforts on folk and black metal scene.


The bass is played for the great Erik Tiwaz (Tyr, from Emperor and Satyricon). The guy knows that to do with a fretless bass; the bass lines, as on Empirism and Epic, are complex, interesting and audible all the time, but never stay on front. Tyr fits perfectly with the cello, violines, drums and keyboards to create the melodic support to guitars and vocals.


The keys played by Lars Nedland (Solefald, Asmegin) are great too, and this amazing musician also does backing vocals. He got a voice so great as the main singer here - Vintersorg - and the both voices together makes beautiful harmonies through all the album. In difference with Empiricism and Epic, the keys are used moderately, kept in a level that allows to hear all instruments clearly.


Drums, as always, sounds great and very progressive, even on this acoustic album. I was never expected an Kveldsjanger album or some October Falls approach. Borknagar is very progressive and this element is still present here, giving a unique vibe to this release. Asgeir still shines on the same way as the 2 previous albums.


The Guest musicians are incredibles; being the flutes from Steinar Ofsdal the more stunning addition on this album. All cellos. violins and flutes fits perfectly with the Brun's compositions, bringing sometimes an symphonic/epic vibe to the already-epic songs.


Finally comes the Vocals. I know Vintersorg since he played with Otyg - back at 95 - and his singin' style had changed a lot from those years. I love all the Vintersorg albums, since Hedniskjärtad to the latest Solens Rötter and I feel Andreas had made his best vocal performance on his own band. With Borknagar, mr V had made an amazing job, no doubt of it, but he can't sing here with the same passion as on Vintersorg. On Origin, you hear Andreas singin' almost flawless, passionate and epic choruses, taking his voice to its limits. a couple of times his voice sounds a little forced, but at 95% of time sounds very natural and harmonic.


This album contains also a new version of the classic hymn 'Oceans Rise' (originally on The Archaic Course, sung by Simen Hestnaes, that I know he never could sing on an album like this). This version is simply brilliant, great arrengements and vocals. I won't say if this version is better or not than the original; both are too different and I enjoy both of them equally.


To Resume, an amazing effort from these Norwegian guys (and the Swedish singer) who keep his trademark sound and spirit, searching and philosophing about the Man, the Nature and Universe relationship. To buy this album is a duty, no only to any black or folk metal fan, also it does to any person who says to enjoy the music.


Highlights: All songs are amazing, believe me.

Prepare to count sheep.. - 10%

TheBloodOmen, February 3rd, 2007

Admittedly, I'm not very good at writing reviews for albums I don't like, simply because it's so damn hard to listen to the thing more than once when it's absolutely worthless. This, latest offering from Borknagar, is one such album. However, I know that there are many of you (myself included) who rely on the reviews you read on this website to decided whether you should buy a certain album or not waste your money. That being said, here goes.

This is quite possibly the most boring album in any genre ever recorded. The idea, so I hear, was to strip the music down and let the classical and folk influences "shine through." Well, I hate to burst the bubble of idealism Borknagar created before putting this crap on a disc, but there is almost nothing here that shines whatsoever. In fact, the only saving grace this album has at all is a re-recording of one of their own songs, that being "Oceans Rise." Vintersorg's vocals, which should have been very prevelant on this acoustic album, aren't nearly loud enough and he sounds as if he's a mile away from the microphone more often than not.

I've probably suffered through this record three times or so, and I still fail to see how that you can have a vocal talent such as Vintersorg in your band and not utilize that to your advantage when you up and decide to record an acoustic album. Yet another problem with this album is the lack of instrumentation. Most of the time you've got a flute and what sounds like one acoustic guitar playing, and nothing else. Now, this might not be such a huge problem for Borknagar if the music itself was written to be played faster, but this, this is played slow, monotonous, and in a single phrase...boring as fuck. For the people who enjoy dreamy music and/or need help falling asleep at night, definitly go buy this album as soon as possible. For the rest of us, I'd suggest downloading this album's version of "Oceans Rise" to stick on a mix CD and leaving it at that.

Another New Direction - 95%

Tharos_sama, December 3rd, 2006

And, once again, Borknagar surprises all taking a totally different approach on a release. The same band which started with a Viking/Black Metal sound and that started going towards a more Progressive sound, now shows us another face. Be warned, this is completely different from anything they've done before, as this album is completely acoustic.

The title "Origin" may refer to their people origin or something like that, because surely it has nothing to do with the bands origin, it has nothing to do with their debut. But, though I can't explain it, the title fits the album really well, this is all about feelling. This release is much more calm tham any of their previous ones, though you can sense some touches from songs like "Inherit the Earth" and "The View of Everlast" (both from "Empiricism"). Most songs are slow paced and have a simple background, I'd say the best feature on this album is Vintersorg's vocals (and his great versatility) in which most songs are based. Asgeir's drums fits the album really well, but do not expect those crazy things he did in "Empiricism", they are here more as a part of the rest, not standing out as it did sometimes (especially on the previous two albums).

Aside the drums and the vocals, you will also find acoustic guitars, flutes and keys, though the main instruments will be the acoustic guitars and the drums most of the time. As said before, the instrumental part is aimed mostly towards building a certain kind of atmosfere, a bucolic one in my opinion. This album will take you through grass fields and woods in a very pleasant way.

The songs here are not metal, if I had to classify them I'd say they are Folk music, but they do not have those trollish or partying feeling commom to most folk music (it is really different from Finntroll's "Visor om Slutet", or from Trollfest's debut), these songs are really calm and introspective, a nice way to relax in a rainy day.

There are, however, some downsides, the main one is that the album is way too short, not even 40 minutes long. The other one is that they seem to have abandoned the style shown in "Empiricism", what is a shame, since I hoped to hear more albums like that one. Guess this album would be better as a side project (like the great Waterclime's "The Astral Factor", check it out if you are a Vintersorg fan), but hell, we can't have all we want.

People who did not like their previous albums will probably hate this, since this is even further away from their roots, but if you liked "Epiricism" and "Epic" you may like this. Even if you don't like Borknagar you may like this. I really recommend trying out this album, it now figures by the side of "Empiricism" and "The Olden Domain" as my 3 favourite Borknagar albums.

Highlights: "White" and "The Human Nature"

Borknagar's "Origin" is a work of art - 89%

helvetekrieg, October 26th, 2006

I’ll be honest – I never really liked Borknagar. I know that’s a big no-no, considering their black metal cred and all, but I could never get into them – too obnoxiously proggy for someone who likes her black metal raw and primal. I could never get past Vintersorg’s voice (I’m generally not a fan of clean vocals), and the songs were entirely too epic and drawn-out for my tastes. Imagine my surprise, then, when I sat down to give Origin a listen, and was subsequently blown away by what I found therein. Following the success of their previous release, Epic, Borknagar have chosen to take the road (far) less traveled by the majority of extreme metal bands, and, instead of trying to up the ante and outdo the intensity of their last opus, have chosen to bestow upon us an entirely acoustic album. They’ve managed to strike a balance between staying true to their sound and being honest with themselves, and still allowing for experimentation. The mastermind behind the whole endeavor, Oystein G. Brun, has said that Borknagar songs are written on acoustic guitar and then arranged into the proggy black metally folky stuff that we’ve come to expect from them, so it almost makes sense that he skipped the last step and presented us with a rawer, more stripped-down version of the band. It’s been done before, of course – look at Opeth’s Damnation, Ulver's Kveldssanger, and Green Carnation’s recent Acoustic Verses, but none of them have been quite . . . like . . . this.

This . . . is simply, purely, unassumingly beautiful music. It’s what you’d hear in your head as you’re walking through a forest, staring up through the boughs at a cloudless sky. That slight, insistent breeze that whispers in your ear? That’s Vintersorg’s voice – clear, ringing tones that soar up above and beyond this mortal soil and off into the unknown. The focus is on his voice, accented by lush backing vocal harmonies and the dulcet tones of a background choir. Whether or not you enjoy clean singing, there’s no denying the obvious talent that Vintersorg possesses in spades, and after listening to even one track off Origin, I guarantee you’ll be hooked on his voice.

There’s obviously much more to this release than just the vocals, although they remain the focus for the duration of the abum. Origin includes several unexpected instruments; a lot of flute melodies are layered over the acoustic guitar, and violins/cello can be heard as well. The music is generally peaceful, tranquil, and calming, though Borknagar wouldn’t be Borknagar without a few forays into the avant-garde (take a listen to the spiraling trilling melodies on "The Human Nature" or the almost-symphonic parts on "White," for example). They stay far away from their usual blackened fare, but the progressive and folk elements are definitely present – the sound on Origin could be summed up as sophisticated folk/progressive with classical harmonies and gorgeous clean vocals. There is a wild sort of aura surrounding these songs – they have a very nature-oriented feel. If one imagines the quiet forests of Norway from which Borknagar hails, and the atmosphere to be found therein, Origin makes perfect sense. This album is something a little different, that takes a little getting used to, but it entirely worth it. Origin is transcendent.

THE ORIGIN WITHOUT ROOTS - 55%

Lars_Ericksen, October 6th, 2006

Well, the title of the album may remind the listener to the first steps of the band, its roots... the single way of this band used to be. But, this is not what happened here.


This is not a bad album; the music is a mix of Neo-folk and something symphonic. It's a fact that Borknagar's Origin is not that kind of music. It would be considered folk sometimes before (I would consider it Viking as well, like Garm's old time) but never a complete folk band, or something totally converted to it.


The album has a clean production, all of the instruments are well listened and everything else, pure shit to say that bands must have a raw and lo-fi production to sound creative, Borknagar never needed this KVLT-ish stuff, and did not need here. The bass work is not quite impressive as it would be expected with Tyr's return to the band, the acoustic guitars obviously have stolen the scene, with the overture to others rhythm instruments, that were well used like cello and violin. Another missing point was the drums, Asgeir was kind of left behind, reduced to a downward the hype of "acoustic feeling".


So, the problem is installed basically with the total change of direction of music. It sounds like a forced incursion in a non-metal field. Vintersorg cleans vocals are great, but greater when combined with his growls and screams. It was one of the big mistakes. And just to salute one of contradictory good point here is the fact of Lazare singing just once, on the track called "White", making this the best song of the album. His vocals are simply great, and should be present more often on Borknagar's releases, it’s just awesome.


About the lyrics not too much to say, although they had lost the cosmic feeling and moved to a more heathen and naturalistic expression. But have not changed too much, keeping the "archaic stream".


To point the finally conclusions, the total folk acoustic sound is not pretty attractive, running away from bands purpose at all. And the unic highlight not present in other's release is Lars Nedland vocals on track 5. And about the new version of Ocean's Rise, I just must say that it with Vortex's voice sounds pretty much epic and sublime. This version is fine, but the old one is much better.

What We've All Been Waiting For - 100%

Lunar_Strain, September 30th, 2006

My God.. this album is... tear jerking for the sheer force of how beautiful it is. Borknagar have completely ascended to a new level of beauty. Origin is the album we have all been waiting for. The folk elements used in their metal are finally revealed to us in full force. If you thought Borknagar couldn't sound good without metal.. you're dead wrong. Origin is the BEST Borknagar album since their debut.

I should mention the acoustics first, since they are one of the most outstanding attributes of this album. They're crisp, clear, and performed absolutely beautiful. The guitars and the mandolins are on top of each at some parts, and they sound absolutely gorgeous. They are the driving force of the atmosphere, and combined with the keyboards.. it's unfathomable.

Speaking of keyboards... they're perfect. They make so much atmosphere in this that it's impossible not to fall in love with the ambience. They've reinforced the other instruments in the recording in such a way, that the albums seems ALIVE.

The bass is audible! And it seems to follow BOTH, the guitars/mandolins and the synthesizers, adding much more atmosphere, which is great for a recording of this caliber.

The drums are beautiful. They're stuck back in the backround a bit, but they're up enough to be audible and leveled perfectly to suit the tones of the other instruments. When I found out this was all acoustic folk, I had not expected there to be drums. In fact, I thought they'd screw up the sound. How wrong I was. The drums support all the other instruments perfectly.

The vocals.. are tear jerking. The most outstanding attribute of this album are the vocals. The Borknagar group has, again, amazed me with how well done their clean vocals are performed. When you have a vocalist that can, both, growl and sing clean, you've got a very talented band member. This album... is just Godly. I recommend everyone listen to this album.

Key Songs : Oceans Rise, White, The Spirit of Nature

Back to the Origin? I think not... - 95%

SepherZ, September 25th, 2006

...However, even though this album is as far from Borknagar's Origin (self titled debute album) as possible, it's still a masterpiece in every term.
Borknagar's 7th full-length release, Origin, is the final step in a long transformation this band has been going through ever since their 2nd release. That change, the so called transformation, stops here at Origin, an acoustic folk-metal album with clean brilliant and original melodies.

It amazes me that a band that once had such dirty, raw sound (back at Borknagar and all the way to Quintessence, including) managed to release such a clean-sounding album. When hearing Origin, you only think of snowy-peaks and steamy waterfalls, with alot of green, white and brown around you.
The change Borknagar has been going through was noticable already back in Empiricism, and a slightly more in Epic, however - to release such an album such as Origin takes alot of guts and confidence from a former black metal act.

It also takes Oystein's and Vintersorg's compositioning skills to make such an album be as enchanting and gripping as Origin. I'm not a big folk music fan myself, yet Origin is simply beautiful - just the right length (maybe a little short, even), with just the right 'flow' and connection between songs.

I don't have much more to say, as this album is a very short and overall consistent folk album. It is unbelievable what an amazing metal act Borknagar are, releasing masterpiece after masterpiece of varying genres, from unforgiving black, to soothing folk. If you like Borknagar's later releases, Empiricism and Epic, you will surely love Origin.
If you prefer Borknagar's earlier releases, such as The Olden Domain, The Archaic Course and Borknagar, you will STILL love Origin, as this album is simply.. different, and in any possible good way, too.

Go Borknagar!