Despite liking Empiricism by Borknagar a lot when it came out, I never delved into Vintersorg's solo material before. I drifted away from Borknagar in my quest for more fucked up filth but have found myself going back to them more recently and I was inspired to check out Vintersorg at last.
I fired on his debut EP from 98, Hedniskhjärtad, (on YouTube) and it's really good. Epic but with a distinctly Norwegian darkness and grit to the production, mostly clean pompous Vikingish vocals with some harsh screams thrown in too. Nabbed a CD from Discogs I was so impressed.
I have it in my head that the later stuff is maybe more progressive and polished, but is it worth further exploration?
https://youtu.be/Cyj0qb89oIs
Never actually listened to that album you linked. I really like the sound of that. I have two of his later albums and they are definitely more proggy sounding but decent enough songs on them.
I always found he was the weak link in borknagar though compared to vortex and the dude from Ulver.
I picked up the new Borknagar today, actually. Sounds cool. The song, Up North, is one of those insanely addictive ditties that buries into the head with a vengeance.
Up North is deadly. Sounds like a Uriah Heep song!
Must check out Uriah Heap in that case!
The Hedniskhjärtad CD arrived today and I have it on. It's really hitting the spot for me. You don't really hear that type of pretentious and overly dramatic singing ala early Ulver and Borknagar much these days in black metal. Our do you? Any recommendations along those lines welcome. Even the crappy non-artwork is charmingly 90s.
https://youtu.be/23E0LJP-cW0
You might enjoy these guys
I'll give it a spin later, cheers.
Till fjälls is a great album. He got too proggy for my liking on later albums.
His latest album is a follow up to that album, actually. Might pick up both and see if there is much in the way of continuity.
Oh. I was not aware of that. I must check it out as well.
You mentioned liking Borknagar 'Empiricism'. I'd suggest checking out their 2nd album The Olden Domain if you haven't already. Has the vocals you're after in both the harsh and clean singing, as well the dark Norwegian tone you mentioned mixed with plenty of catchy riffs and melody in the songwriting. Garm from Ulver on vocals.
https://youtu.be/rGwohF8DVzA
Ah nevermind I just noticed you mentioned early Borknagar in a later post. :-[
Yep, I have The Olden Domain. I haven't got the s/t album though. Must rectify that.
I can't get enough of this EP. It's so catchy.
Listening to Empiricism by Borknagar for the first time in an aeon. It's a great album. Whoever designed the artwork, though, should be locked up. What an eyesore.
Quote from: Cailleach on September 09, 2020, 05:47:05 PM
Till fjälls is a great album. He got too proggy for my liking on later albums.
I ordered a copy of 'Till fjälls' on discogs so I'll see if that hooks me in the same way as the EP and proceed from there.
Quote from: Eoin McLove on September 10, 2020, 01:52:21 PM
Yep, I have The Olden Domain. I haven't got the s/t album though. Must rectify that.
It is one of my favourite Norwegian albums; there is some epic stuff on there while still staying within a more black metal sound.
As for Vintersorg: I lost interest after Cosmic Genesis, and Visions really grated on me. I love prog—but not bad prog—and his clean vocals only ever worked if used sparingly.
Til Fjäls is class; along with Kampfar's first few releases it is some of the best music of that type.
Another resounding thumbs up for the Olden Domain. No other release ticks as many boxes. Was supposed to be seeing them late November in London whilst taking in the Brentford/QPR west London derby. Would like to think it's not my last chance to see them headline.
Quote from: Taranis on October 26, 2020, 06:55:38 PM
Quote from: Eoin McLove on September 10, 2020, 01:52:21 PM
Yep, I have The Olden Domain. I haven't got the s/t album though. Must rectify that.
It is one of my favourite Norwegian albums; there is some epic stuff on there while still staying within a more black metal sound.
As for Vintersorg: I lost interest after Cosmic Genesis, and Visions really grated on me. I love prog—but not bad prog—and his clean vocals only ever worked if used sparingly.
Til Fjäls is class; along with Kampfar's first few releases it is some of the best music of that type.
I love his vocals. I get that they are probably not for everyone but they work for me. So far I've only got Hedniskhjärtad and Till Fjälls but I have Till Fjälls II en route and it sounds great from my YouTube adventures. I haven't ventured into his prog stuff yet as I'm not really big on that style but I'll definitely give it a go before I make up my mind.
Till Fjälls on in the car this morning again. Man, I can't get enough of this and Hedniskhjärtad lately. Recommend other bands along these lines, that capture that epic Scandinavian buzz, preferably from the 90s as there is a recording quality from then that really appeals to me, but I'm also open to good modern stuff. No hurdy gurdy Wacken shite, please!
Have you listened to early Tyr stuff?
That might be something you would like.
Yep, I know Týr. Ragnarok is a cool album but I think they are coming from a more heavy metal background than a BM one? I like the touches of harshness that are dotted through Vintersorg's stuff.
Ah yes I get you now. I'll have a think and get back to ya!
https://youtu.be/9UgDwpl0Xvk
So I couldn't think of any bands that have that viking sound but I did remember these guys.
They are more modern sounding but have that Borknagar/ Arcturus vibe to them.
You might like them as they have that black metal sound as well.
Have you got all the Kampfar stuff? Sort of similar style, and to my mind even better than the early Vintersorg stuff.
I don't own any Kampfar. Start at the beginning and work from there?
Quote from: Eoin McLove on November 13, 2020, 01:04:11 PM
I don't own any Kampfar. Start at the beginning and work from there?
First two are fucking essential, never bothered with anything after, not saying they are bad though.
I never got into Kampfar. A band I thought would be to my liking, but their music never clicked with me.