It’s insane to think that Borknagar has been around for thirty fucking years. I still remember the day I discovered used copies of The Olden Domain and The Archaic Course. Then, I never looked back. Borknagar is one of those bands that I met at the perfect time in my exploration of metal, and it’s impossible to think of myself as a metalhead without them. Be it Garm, Vintersorg, or ICS Vortex (or all at once) at the mic, the consistency of releases remains the same. This is due to the unbending dedication of Øystein Brun and the clean-vocal and key foundation of Lars Nedland. There’s no other way to justify why the band still exists and produces incredible albums. No matter who fills in on vocals, guitars, and drums, the Borknagar continues releasing one fantastic album after another. After 2019’s fun and accessible True North, this year’s Fall reaches farther into the past to reset the needle, delivering some blackish attacks and headbangable energy. Worry not, they forever will retain that classic epicness, melody, and beauty.
“Summits” gets things started in true Borknagar form, powering through gnarly rasps and a razor-sharp black metal assault before everything changes. At the midpoint, the pummeling subsides, replaced by soothing clean guitars and a spacey atmosphere. When the melodic build begins, the two vocalists swirl around each other as the other instruments lift the song to the clouds. The atmosphere’s beauty is magnificent, taking all worries and fears away. And when the distortion kicks in, the clean vocals boil to the top, and the song quite literally touches the summit. “Moon” is another such track that utilizes a shredding, blackened introduction that inevitably gives way to gorgeous atmospheres and powerful vocals. It even sports a couple of old-school solos that show off the impressive skill of these Viking veterans. Like “Summits,” the shift comes in the middle of the track. The clean vocals add oomph to the atmospheric build, intensifying with each iteration of the chorus. The song’s most significant power comes from Vortex’s unique and identifiable vocal style, touching multiple notes in a single breath.
Others of great importance would have to be the back-to-back “The Wild Lingers” and “Northward.” The first has a dark, brooding attitude with low, soft vocals that bring to mind Green Carnation. But it stands out from the rest for having the most memorable chorus on the record. It’s a soothing piece that brings a calmness before the storm that is closer “Northward.” This follow-up track begins with a black metal frenzy, tearing through riff after riff in Dimmu Borgir fashion. It’s riffs like these that separate Fall from the last two records in the band’s catalog. Yet, as one would expect, the chaos eventually subsides in favor of soaring clean vocals and epic atmospheres. But it’s the depth of progressiveness in this song that makes it the biggest song on the album. Constantly alternating between aggression and beauty, all is a setup for the massive vocal performances at the end. It not only closes the song on a high note (literally) but also the record.
As with all Borkanagar records, Fall is a journey to be experienced in full. While I had some issues with track length on True North, I found little issue with lengthier songs like “Summits,” “Stars Ablaze,” and “Northward.” Of the three, “Stars Ablaze” is the weakest, but even that is a silly word. Like the closer, it’s a grower that’s worth the wait. As Lars and Vortex toss their voices at each other and the atmosphere builds, the payoff comes when they blend into one. Every fucking time that happens, I can’t help but get goosebumps from head to toe, and even on the tip of my penis. Even when it’s not all about the clean vocal harmonies, there’s an incredible partnership between the two vocalists. The best example would be the odd, but pleasing “Unraveling.” Odd because there are almost Sabaton-like qualities to the song, giving it a big, fun Viking feel. And it’s matched effectively by the battle between the clean and harsh vocals.
Fall combines all the band’s recent releases with some of the harsher moments of their past, making it one of the band’s better-balanced discs. You get the heaviness when needed, the blooming atmospheres to the climax, and—per usual—stunning vocal performances throughout. After repeated listens, I still find something new in each of Fall’s songs. When compared to 2019’s True North, this release has more elements, greater progression, and better continuity than its predecessor. While memorability has never been an issue for the band, songs like “Summits” and “The Wild Lingers” will forever be embedded into my brain. While tracks like “Afar” and “Stars Ablaze” aren’t as powerful as others, they still serve a purpose on the album. In the end, Fall is beautifully rounded, flowing like icy water through the fjords. The year is still young, but Fall currently sits at the top of my year-end list.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: Streamy | Format Reviewed: Stream
Label: Century Media Records | Bandcamp1
Websites: borknagar.com | facebook.com/borknagarofficial
Releases Worldwide: February 23rd, 2024
