Album Review // 2021-04-17

Borknagar

The Olden Domain

Released: 1997-08-18

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I had never heard anything like Borknagar prior to a year and a half ago. Folk elements were especially foreign to me.

I chose to check out this album because I knew that Borknagar varies depending on the album. I wanted to hear something older and maybe with more black metal influence. I went into this thirsty for stark contrast from their songs that have made it onto my first playlist, such as Winter Thrice and The Fire That Burns. I knew that they had some lineup changes and fans of each combination. I wanted to see where I stand on this one. I have many albums to go yet to truly grasp this band! 

I discovered that this album was done a few years before the drummer passed away (R.I.P.). Apparently, their first album was in Norwegian.

I watched an interview with Øystein, the founder of this band. I really loved to see the passion in him. In the interview, he explained that he would always be making music, until the very day he died. It was just a part of who he was. I found it quite interesting to hear that he came from a band named Molested and wanted a change to a different style. Borknagar is completely different!

Mood 

Feels kinda ancestral, like they are connecting wholeheartedly with generations past. It feels inherently natural, such as the way a sunset is expected to set in the west, or how a song could come naturally around a fire.

Artwork

I like how they kept the colours simple and natural. When I first glanced at this from a distance, I thought one portion of the tree was a cloaked person. I think it is because the angle is a little unexpected. It is pretty cool to look up underneath a tree. I have some pictures I took that are this way (I am just a quick snap in the moment person. I know nothing about photography) - you can see one in this very review! The one on the album looks like a tree in winter, as it has lost it's leaves, or maybe the edge is supposed to look like it is the leaves on this tree or more like you are looking out from a hole in shrubs. Nice piece of art!

Vocals

It made sense to me to listen to something containing Kristoffer on vocals, since he was their first vocalist. The vocals surprised me! I didn't hear the screams of Kristoffer before, but I had heard his singing voice. I feel mixed about them. I actually prefer the screaming to the singing. When he does sing, I prefer when it is the deeper sound. I don't like the talking/crooning or laughing. Vocally, I thought the first half of this album was great, the second half I wish he would have stayed with the harsh vocals.

Music

The music also surprised me, since this was such early work. I can still hear the Borknagar in this as it is today, more than I expected. I guess Øystein's imprint can be heard here. He is still going strong in Borknagar's newest material. The way that the songs are laid out is very journey oriented. The way the music changes as the screaming parts come in is very different than in many other bands I have heard. The movement and speed completely changes, the feel changes. I feel like the keyboard is very necessary for the sound that they create.

The Eye Of Odin

This is talking about Odin, the god of war and death. In mythology, my understanding is that he is collecting dead warriors for the Norse afterlife that he is in charge of. So, it makes sense that the land reflects shattered shields and remnants that signal the violence that had taken place.

Tender are the havens
which remain on the open plains
The shadow crawls
upon the resort of the remnants
Even toward the hills lie shattered shields

Up there on the mountain, above all fire,
the fields down there and the ravine below
He beholds a kingdom of grace, savage yet fair

The Winterway

This makes me think of a path that is open only during winter. Maybe it allows certain activities to take place that couldn't without snow and ice. There are actually people that live on little islands in this area. It is very different depending on the time of year. During the winter they can drive their vehicles over the ice and get to and from land more freely. They can move bigger items to and from land. There is danger involved as well, as temperatures can change and ice has to be thick enough. Every year there are people that go through the ice because they didn't make sure the ice was thick enough. The winter also makes it easier for some animals to get to and from areas less accessible during less freezing months.

Awakened by the hands of Autumn
The hands which made me sleep
Straight in the eyes of winter
Was a shadow vague yet deep

The Winterway
Leads us through the coldest night
The Winterway
To be walked by all men of might

Om Hundrede Aar Er Alting Glemt

I tried to translate this to English. It seems to mean "in a hundred years things will be forgotten."

Instrumental

A Tale of Pagan Tongue

This song seems to also be taking from Norse mythology. Odin is the one eye man being referred to. Apparently he gave his eye up for knowledge because he thought knowledge was so important. I don't know a tonne on this subject, but it seems almost like Odin is alone, in hiding, until the right moment.

Count the shores of the utter coast
And fear peace forever most
When time is ripe to revive the past
Let us see who stands triumphant

The echoes of cosmic strife
Borne to the one-eyed man
By the ravens of reminiscence

To Mountain and Rove

This song seems to associate this land with a past experience when things weren't so peaceful. Maybe with something that has been moved passed. I can only imagine being a part of a large battle, defending yourself, and experiencing loss. Once it has ended, you still have the memories.

I came from the utter fields
Carving shame on the tender shields
On my path I wandered high
Acknowledged beneath the sky
The hate I carried, recalling why!

I drifted from the deepest tarn
Till I saw my saw my name in aruinic sign
Graven so deep in the crystal bark
Of a lodge I sojourned years ago

Crying war beneath the sky

Grimland Domain

Feels like maybe the land seems desolate and cold, but Odin is still present and powerful.

The branches hung low
Softly covered by snow
Even the strongest will
Recoil beneath their silent chill

Feel the kiss of the silver draped frost
Your age-old toil, haunted and lost
High up there, where His ravens once flew
The lightning strikes - even deep in the snow

"You have to wake, wipe the ice from your eyes"

Ascension of Our Fathers

Instrumental

The Dawn of the End

I think this is speaking to the way the land has changed over the years. Even just how powerful earth elements can be. What can you do if the weather becomes violent? Not much.

Mountains highest hills
Fragments, beheaded formations
The cosmic rivers curse
Denial of all recreation

Wind, Water, Earth, Fire - Invincible!

Playlist Pick

My first choice is The Eye Of Odin. I like how they did several different things in this song. It was interesting how they layered the vocals and made it seem more like a chant that everyone joins in on around a fire. I decided to forgive the laughing part that wasn't my favourite.

My second choice is The Winterway. I like the way this song goes back and forth from singing to screaming. It feels very Borknagar, in a way that I see them! I also like the lyrics!