Epic
Borknagar · 2004
57 min · 12 tracks · progressive metal
Epic intertwines expansive soundscapes with intricate melodies, forging a profound journey through progressive metal's vast terrain.
Top tracks — play these first
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Future Reminiscence — This opening track sets an ethereal tone with its atmospheric intro, seamlessly blending melodic riffs and philosophical lyrics that encapsulate the album's overarching themes.
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Traveller — With its driving rhythm and dynamic shifts, 'Traveller' showcases the band's ability to fuse aggressive metal with introspective lyricism, highlighting their progressive identity.
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The Weight of Wind — 'The Weight of Wind' stands out for its haunting melodies and emotional depth, offering a reflective moment that deepens the album's thematic exploration of nature and existence.
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Quintessence — This track culminates the album's journey with complex arrangements and rich harmonies, embodying the essence of Borknagar's progressive vision while delivering powerful lyrical content.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Epic showcases ambitious compositions and a blend of styles that define Borknagar's unique sound in progressive metal.
What we noticed
- The album features lengthy tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended instrumental passages and thematic development.
- Vocal styles alternate between clean singing and harsh growls, creating a dynamic contrast that enhances the emotional weight of the music.
- The use of atmospheric keyboards is prominent, often layering over intricate guitar work to create expansive soundscapes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo progression
- philosophical themes to ponder
- immersive headphone detail hunting
- atmospheric melodies for introspection
- engaging narrative arc throughout
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on June 29, 2004, 'Epic' marked Borknagar's sixth studio album and followed their previous release 'Empiricism'. At this point, the band was solidifying their unique sound that blends black metal roots with progressive elements, showcasing a mature evolution in their musical artistry while experimenting with lyrical themes of nature and existence.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Future Reminiscence 5:26
- 2 Traveller 5:03
- 3 Origin 4:58
- 4 Sealed Chambers of Electricity 4:13
- 5 The Weight of Wind 3:59
- 6 Resonance 4:28
- 7 Relate (Dialogue) 4:29
- 8 Cyclus 5:26
- 9 Circled 4:46
- 10 The Inner Ocean Hypothesis 5:12
- 11 Quintessence 5:32
- 12 The Wonder 4:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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