EMPIRICISM

Borknagar continues to evolve their sound, with much more added effect from Hammond organs and synthesizers, along with different song dynamics. Combinations of operatic chorus vocals with grim vocals is found. Guitars shift from back in the mix to forward, sometimes to ill effect however.

Songs range quite much (and somewhat surprisingly). Some seem quite dull (Gods of My World) as almost cringeworthy metal songs, while others are very intriguing, like the 7th Guest sounding Matter and Motion, an extremely eerie piece. There's quite a bit of diversity, even some jazzy interludes.

Some of the clean vocals can be a bit "too much" at times, just being a bit over the top, but overall it's mostly solid work. Understand this certainly is not for everyone, and I would recommend you have a taste for the genre, even an acquired one, before approaching this. Not excellent, but a nice little piece of work that is rewarding if you have the patience.

The music on Empiricism is much in the same vein as on Quintessence though. The lineup changes doesn´t mean that much even though I know some people find Vintersorg´s vocals to be an aquired taste. The vocals still alternate between raspy black metal style vocals and clean male vocals. Well executed vocals IMO. The music is dominated by loads and loads of classical inspired keyboards, organ and synths by Lars A. Nedland ( Age of Silence, Winds, Vintersorg, Solefald) and the guitars which are normally the most prominent instrument in metal is a bit more in the background. The drums are excellent and it´s greatly enjoyable that Asgeir Mickelson lends his skills to another Borknagar album. He is such a skilled drummer. The songs are very melodic and generally memorable even though they do tend to get a bit trivial towards the end of the album. I´m not much a fan of this melodic/ symphonic black metal genre though so fans of the genre might feel otherwise.

The musicianship and production is top notch. Nothing wrong in that department.

Empiricism is a good album by Borknagar and I was actually considering at some point if it deserved a 4 star rating but I´ve come to the conclusion that it´s a big 3 star rating. Not quite to my taste but definitely a quality album.