Over 40 years of metal’s biological urge (and a hefty lack of restraint) has resulted in some incomprehensibly large catalogs. No one should have to listen to anywhere from 13 to 15 [Luca Turilli’s] Rhapsody [of Fire] albums just to get caught up for a new release. So each week (as required and/or able), we’re offering a selection of prime(r)(er) cuts to get you up to speed. Without further ado, welcome to…
“There’s no other band in metal that I can feel the band’s entire catalog. A lot of that has to do with the passion in the band’s evolving songwriting and their untouchable vocals. From the black metal beginnings of Borknagar to the key-driven folkiness of Epic and Empiricism to the more accessible, groove-driven Urd and Winter Thrice, the band has done it all. Hell, they even put out a goddamn acoustic record (Origin). More popular bands have done far less in ten years, much less twenty-four. And no band has housed so many power-house vocalists. The first era brought us The Versatile (Kristoffer “Garm” Rygg); the second era, The Underappreciated (ICS Vortex); and the rest, The Workhorse (Vintersorg). The collaboration of all three vocalists for the title track of 2016’s Winter Thrice was a dream come true for diehard fans everywhere. And, now, after fifteen years as the “voice” of Borknagar, Vintersorg has handed the baton—once more—to ICS Vortex (who’s been playing bass and doing plenty of clean vox on the last couple releases). So, what’s next for Øystein G. Brun and company? What’s left to do that hasn’t already been done by the band? Only True North knows the answer to that.“
– Dr. A.N. Grier
- Borknagar, 1996
– “Dauden”1
– “Nord Naagauk”2 - The Olden Domain, 1997
– “The Winterway”
– “A Tale of Pagan Tongue” - The Archaic Course, 1998
– “Universal”
– “Ad Noctum” - Quintessence, 2000
– “Colossus”
– “Genesis Torn” - Empiricism, 2001
– “Gods of My World”
– “Stellar Dome” - Epic, 2004
– “Future Reminiscence”
– “Sealed Chambers of Electricity”
– “The Wonder” - Origin, 2006
– “White”
– “Acclimation” - Universal, 2010
– “For a Thousand Years to Come”
– “Fleshflower” - Urd, 2012
– “Roots”
– “Frostrite” - Winter Thrice, 2016
– “Winter Thrice”
– “Erodent”
Borknagar’s 11th album True North will be released on September 27th worldwide via Century Media.
September is a busy month, so we decided to throw in an extra primer for all your (sad)boys and girls. The snares are loud, the emotions raw, prepare yourself for…
“Cult of Luna are one of post-metal’s heavy hitters—Sweden’s version of Neurosis, in many ways. Their lengthy, at times impenetrable compositions can be hard to delve into on just one album, let alone their entire discography. But don’t worry your sweet little head about that; we’ve gone to the effort of picking two of the best tracks off each of the band’s full-length albums and cobbling them together into a playlist for you. Now you just have to click and sit back.”
– Huck N Roll
- Cult of Luna, 2001
– “Hollow”
– “Sleep” - The Beyond, 2003
– “Genesis”
– “Circle” - Salvation, 2004
– “Echoes”
– “Waiting for You” - Somewhere Along the Highway, 2006
– “Dim”
– “Dark City, Dead Man” - Eternal Kingdom, 2008
– “Ghost Trail”
– “Curse” - Vertikal, 2013
– “Vicarious Redemption”
– “In Awe Of” - Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas, Mariner, 2016
– “A Greater Call”
– “Cygnus”
Cult of Luna’s 8th album A Dawn to Fear will be released on September 20th worldwide via Metal Blade.
We’re all about equality at AMG Inc. Our legal department says we have to be, and it keeps the bowels of this place running smoothly. One person gets a playlist, then everyone wants a one, and soon there’s blood in the water cooler. So have it your way, animals. Everyone gets a playlist. An oh so brief playlist. Trust me, it’s for the best.
Today’s chapter: Origin Stories
- Dr. Wvrm
– Guns N Roses – “Welcome to the Jungle”
– In Flames – “Take This Life” - Grymm
– Iron Maiden – “Wasted Years”
– Carcass – “Heartwork” - Kronos
– Dark Tranquillity – “Iridium”
– Psycroptic – “Cruelty Incarnate” - Mark Z.
– Killswitch Engage – “A Bid Farewell”
– As I Lay Dying – “94 Hours” - Diabolus in Muzaka
– Metallica – “Phantom Lord”
– Pungent Stench – “Daddy Cruel” - Eldritch Elitist
– DragonForce – “Through the Fire and Flames”
– Amon Amarth – “Cry of the Blackbirds” - GardensTale
– Iron Maiden – “Wildest Dreams”
– Children of Bodom – “Needled 24/7” - Master of Muppets
– In Flames – “Moonshield”
– Soilwork – “Departure Plan” - TheKenWord
– Avenged Sevenfold – “Blinded in Chains”
– Mastodon – “Blood and Thunder” - Cherd
– Metallica – “The Unforgiven”
– Strongarm – “Sorrow Is a Sage” - Holdeneye
– Manowar – “Battle Hymn”
– Living Sacrifice – “Symbiotic” - Carcharodon
– Opeth – “Bleak”
– Pantera – “The Great Southern Trendkill” - Twelve
– Three Days’ Grace – “Pain”
– Nightwish – “Planet Hell” - Emya
– Xandria – “Now & Forever
– Sonata Arctica – “Don’t Say a Word”
