Borknagar : The Archaic Course

With the same approach as "Te Olden Domain" but with a new vocalist. Simen Hestnaes (a.k.a Vortex) has taken over the mic, replacing Garm who left the band to focus on other projects. Simen doesn't disappoint, and is even a better vocalist than Garm for where Borknagar is going.

The one thing Vortex has that Garm doesn't is a talent in clean singing with fluctuating his voice. (which can be quite humorous, just listen to the beginning of "The Black Token")
Vortex has a tremendous vocal mid-range that is very distinct and suits Borknagar's music
very nicely. He can still rasp like a madman, but the clean parts of the songs are the most
distinct and better moments in the songs, as shown in the first song on the album "Oceans Rise". But no other song shows this more than "Universal" where Simen belts out the clean vocals like no other. The whole album fits the same sort of theme that "Te Olden Domain" had, but they have gotten even more atmospheric because of the toned down guitars and Vortex's vocal ability. The songs are written and put together very well and even soft clean guitar parts dominate the music. Borknagar are continuing to grow and mature their music into songs that I keep wanting to listen to and recommend.

                                                Overall score: 90/100
Reviewed by Brian