QUINTESSENCE
Borknagar
•Tech/Extreme Prog Metal
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Studio Album, released in 2000 Songs / Tracks Listing 1. Rivalry of Phantoms (4:36) - Øystein G. Brun / guitars CD Century Media #7989 Thanks to Logos for the additionand to [email protected] for the last updates Edit this entry |
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Borknagar: Quintessence LP 180 Gram Vinyl Record 2010 Back On Black UK NEW |
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BORKNAGAR Quintessence 1st US press CD NM Ulver Solefald Old Mans Child Enslaved |
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Borknagar ?- Quintessence BRAZIL RARE CD 2000 Century Media |
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Quintessence, Borknagar, Excellent |
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Borknagar ?- Quintessence LP - 180 Gram Vinyl - Black Metal - SEALED new copy |
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BORKNAGAR - Quintessence - CD |
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New: BORKNAGAR (Norwegian Black Metal) - Quintessence Vinyl LP |
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BORKNAGAR Quintessence ratings distribution
(34 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(15%)
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(41%)
Good, but non-essential (29%)
Collectors/fans only (15%)
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
BORKNAGAR Quintessence reviews
Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings
Collaborators/Experts Reviews
PROG REVIEWER

The mood really was killed here and with Archaic Course in what I see as two very average at best records. The atmospheres the band are able to create are just not there, and if anything, the so called progressiveness of the band serves as a detrimental effect on their sound rather than a positive one.
The keyboards are highly overdone, almost to a laughable cheesy factor, and this coupled with I feel to be less than stellar vocals. Also, the album is highly repetitive and none of the riffs seem to distinguish themselves from one another. I was really disappointed with this particular release. You will find to your liking some of the earlier Borknagar releases or some of the later ones if you are looking for this type of material.
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator

All the personal changes haven´t changed the musical style much though as all songs are still primarely written by band leader and guitarist Øystein G. Brun. The music is still on the melodic and symphonic side of the black metal spectrum and the album has both raspy/ growling vocals as well as some really excellent clean vocals. The music is very keyboard laden and atmospheric. Don´t expect raw and unpolished black metal here. This is very well produced and the sound quality is professional and clean. Two songs stand out the most for me on the album and that´s the majestic and beautiful The Presence Is Ominous and Colossus which both have lots of clean vocals. It´s not that I don´t enjoy ICS Vortex raspy/ growling vocals but his clean vocals are really majestic and powerful.
The musicianship is excellent. While Grim was a really good drummer, Asgeir Mickelson really takes the music further in terms of power and diversity. He still keeps it pretty simple though compared to some of his other projects. Anyone who knows his work with Spiral Architect knows what he is capable of.
The first time I listened to Quintessence I was sure I would give it a 4 star rating but after a couple of listens my rating is now a big 3 star rating. It´s simply a matter of personal taste. I find the music a bit too trivial towards the end of the album and maybe a bit too melodic and symphonic for my taste as well. Maybe I just miss a bit more edge. Quintessence is a very well composed, performed and produced black metal album though so if you´re interested in the more melodic and symphonic part of the genre this will probably excite you a bit more than me.
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Prog Metal Team

10 years ago I had a short fling with this type of music that lasted for about 3 albums. 2 from Dimmu Borgir and Borknagar's The Archaic Course. That is probably about all you need. This music is so formulaic and single-minded that you'll never need more then 3 albums. Each minute must be loud, it must feature dual guitars engaging in sharp-edged riffing battles that take place under dark keyboard heavy skies. Busy drums have to seal each possible breathing space tight with blasting beats and endless fills. Add a vocalist varying gutteral bile with clean anthemic metal chants and you got it nailed.
That doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, it's a description that can be applied to many types of music, but there's actually only one track that moves me a bit and it sits right at the end. Revolt stands out with one of the very few remarkable melodies.
You get it, I'm not too fond of this, but it's well done and probably deserves 3 stars, maybe 4 if you're into this type of music.
Latest members reviews
'Quintessence' is the fourth album by Norwegian progressive black metal band
Borknagar, from Bergen. If that's a bit of a mouthful, it essentially means they
spawned from Bergen's prominent and often infamous black metal scene in the early
90s, but evolved to incorporate more of a folk and progre
... (read more)
Report this review (#114498) | Posted by Frankingsteins | Thursday, March 8, 2007 | Review Permanlink
Over the course of Borknagar's first three full length albums, they have become not
only one of Norway's most prominent acts, but also made a name for themselves in the
Metal scene as masters of Blackened Epic Metal. The atmospheres this band creates is
spellbinding, giving the listener a feel
... (read more)
Report this review (#86019) | Posted by bleak | Sunday, August 6, 2006 | Review Permanlink
Having made a review about their magnificent "Archaic Course", and seeing this one
without any reviews yet, I had to do something to change that situation. Basically this
is at the same style as the previous one, BUT... One or two facts change things! the
epic stuff is still there but by now G
... (read more)
Report this review (#58831) | Posted by | Thursday, December 1, 2005 | Review Permanlink
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