Released 10 years ago
Winter Thrice
Borknagar · 2016
49 min · 8 tracks · progressive metal
A sweeping blend of orchestral elements and harsh vocals, enveloping listeners in a majestic yet chaotic soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Rhymes of the Mountain — This opening track establishes the album's atmospheric richness with its intricate guitar work and soaring melodies paired with evocative lyrics that set the thematic tone.
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Winter Thrice — The title track encapsulates the band’s signature blend of harshness and melody, showcasing dynamic shifts that highlight their progressive roots.
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Cold Runs the River — With its haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, this track illustrates the emotional depth present throughout the album while maintaining a powerful sonic presence.
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When Chaos Calls — This song combines aggressive instrumentation with philosophical themes, reflecting the band's ability to balance brutality and thoughtfulness in their music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends progressive metal with orchestral elements, showcasing intricate compositions and varied vocal styles.
What we noticed
- The album features a dynamic interplay between harsh vocals and clean singing, often alternating within the same track.
- Each song incorporates orchestral elements, with strings and synths weaving through heavy guitar riffs to create a layered sound.
- Several tracks exceed six minutes in length, allowing for extended instrumental passages that build atmosphere before returning to vocal sections.
- 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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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 pacing with climactic moments
- immersive listening experience unfolds
- atmospheric soundscapes for reflection
- introspective journey through winter
- detailed layers for headphone exploration
Maybe skip if you
- seeking quick, catchy tunes
- prefer upbeat and fast tempos
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 22, 2016, 'Winter Thrice' is Borknagar's ninth studio album and marks their first release since the return of original vocalist Garm. The album showcases a matured sound, integrating progressive metal with atmospheric elements while reflecting the band's evolution over nearly two decades.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Rhymes of the Mountain 6:41
- 2 Winter Thrice 6:13
- 3 Cold Runs the River 5:52
- 4 Panorama 5:51
- 5 When Chaos Calls 7:02
- 6 Erodent 6:56
- 7 Noctilucent 3:54
- 8 Terminus 7:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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