Quintessence (album)
Encyclopedia
Quintessence is Borknagar
's fourth studio album.
It was recorded at The Abyss Studios in January 2000, and mixed by Peter Tägtgren
. According to interviews, this album was meant to be a strictly straightforward black metal
album, as shown on the production quality and the fact that ICS Vortex
's vocals are more of the traditional black metal screams and growls, with less clean singing.
This album marks bassist Kai K Lie's departure from the band, with vocalist ICS Vortex taking over bass duties. It also marks the departure of keyboardist Ivar Bjørnson (being replaced with Lars A. Nedland) and drummer Grim
(being replaced with Asgeir Mickelson
), who incidentally committed suicide a few months before the album's release. This would also be Vortex's last album as vocalist of Borknagar before quitting the band to join Dimmu Borgir
(reportedly due to an ultimatum on Øystein Brun's part).
Borknagar
Borknagar is a progressive black metal band from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1995 by Øystein Garnes Brun. The band's style combines folk metal and black metal with progressive and melodic elements...
's fourth studio album.
It was recorded at The Abyss Studios in January 2000, and mixed by Peter Tägtgren
Peter Tägtgren
Alf Peter Tägtgren is a Swedish musician and producer. He is the founder, main songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the death metal band Hypocrisy as well as the industrial metal band PAIN in which he is the only member....
. According to interviews, this album was meant to be a strictly straightforward black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
album, as shown on the production quality and the fact that ICS Vortex
ICS Vortex
Simen Hestnæs , also known as I.C.S. Vortex, or just simply Vortex, is a Norwegian musician, best known as the current vocalist of the avant-garde metal band Arcturus, the current vocalist and bass guitarist to the progressive black metal band Borknagar, and the former bass guitarist and backing...
's vocals are more of the traditional black metal screams and growls, with less clean singing.
This album marks bassist Kai K Lie's departure from the band, with vocalist ICS Vortex taking over bass duties. It also marks the departure of keyboardist Ivar Bjørnson (being replaced with Lars A. Nedland) and drummer Grim
Erik Brødreskift
Erik Brødreskift was a Norwegian drummer, who played in several black metal bands during his career...
(being replaced with Asgeir Mickelson
Asgeir Mickelson
Asgeir Mickelson is a Norwegian musician, artist, photographer and music reviewer. Although primarily a drummer, Mickelson has stated that he considers himself a musician above a drummer, and is also a guitarist and bassist....
), who incidentally committed suicide a few months before the album's release. This would also be Vortex's last album as vocalist of Borknagar before quitting the band to join Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir
Dimmu Borgir is a Norwegian black metal band from Oslo, Norway, formed in 1993. Dimmu borgir means "dark cities" or "dark castles/fortresses" in Icelandic, Faroese and Old Norse. The name is derived from a volcanic formation in Iceland, Dimmuborgir...
(reportedly due to an ultimatum on Øystein Brun's part).
Track listing
- All Songs Written By Øystein G. Brun, except where noted. (CopyrightCopyrightCopyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
Magic Arts Publishing)
- "Rivalry of Phantoms"– 4:36
- "The Presence is Ominous" – 4:55
- "Ruins of the Future" – 4:55
- "Colossus" (ICS Vortex, A. Mickelson) – 4:27
- "Inner Landscape" (L. Nedland) – 2:51
- "Invincible" – 4:25
- "Icon Dreams" (A. Mickelson) – 4:32
- "Genesis Torn" – 5:16
- "Embers" – 1:26
- "Revolt" – 6:05
Personnel
- ICS VortexICS VortexSimen Hestnæs , also known as I.C.S. Vortex, or just simply Vortex, is a Norwegian musician, best known as the current vocalist of the avant-garde metal band Arcturus, the current vocalist and bass guitarist to the progressive black metal band Borknagar, and the former bass guitarist and backing...
– vocals, bass - Øystein G. Brun – guitar
- Jens F. Ryland – guitar
- Lars A. Nedland – keyboards
- Asgeir MickelsonAsgeir MickelsonAsgeir Mickelson is a Norwegian musician, artist, photographer and music reviewer. Although primarily a drummer, Mickelson has stated that he considers himself a musician above a drummer, and is also a guitarist and bassist....
– drums
Production
- Arranged By Borknagar
- Produced By Borknagar & Peter Tagtgren
- Recorded & Engineered By Lars Szoke & Peter Tagtgren
- Mixed By Peter Tagtgren
- Mastered By Tom Kvallsvoll
External links
- Borknagar-Quintessence (2000 4th Album at Borknagar.com)