Borknagar - Empiricism
2001 Century Media

Track Listing:
1.  The Genuine Pulse
2.  Gods Of My World
3.  The Black Canvas
4.  Matter & Motion
5.  Soul Sphere
6.  Inherit The Earth
7.  The Stellar Dome
8.  Four Element Synchronicity
9.  Liberated
10. The View Of Everlast

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Vintersorg
Guitars:  Øystein G. Brun, Jens F. Ryland
Bass:  Tyr
Drums:  Asgeir Mickelson
Keyboards:  Lars A. Nedland

Website:  www.borknagar.com

Nico's Rating:  A
Overall Rating:  A

Nico's Review (special guest):
With the departure of Vortex as vocals it was speculated that the band would suffer greatly.  To shut up the detractors, they got the best alternative in Vintersorg, and with his addition, changes in the whole music are very immediate.  Lyrical themes became more metaphysical.  Vocally, I think Vintersorg is a very good vocalist, but sounds thin with his harsh delivery as compared to Vortex’s.  Also on board would be Tyr on fretless bass.  With the new line up, they would have been a super group of some sort.  Production is far improved from Quintessence and this time the drumming of Asgeir sounds crisp and clear.  All I can say about the drumming is what it lacks in blast beats, it makes up for the intricate fills.  As for experimentation, Borknagar has tried doing short instrumental tracks (Matter & Motion), which strikes me as cheesy and is something you would probably hear from the Castlevania games.  At least they are short and do not take out much from the music.
Nico's Rating:  A

Discography (last updated 6.7.06):
Borknagar - 1996
The Olden Domain - 1997
The Archaic Course - 1998
Quintessence - 2000
Empiricism - 2001
Epic - 2004