Fall

Borknagar has long occupied a peculiar niche within the blackened progressive landscape. Their identity is rooted in the juxtaposition of sprawling, atmospheric textures and the visceral urgency of black metal. However, with their latest offering, 'Fall', that distinctive balance seems to have tipped precariously into the realm of the aimless. While the production values remain high, the compositions feel untethered, drifting through a sonic haze that prioritises mood over structural integrity.

Opening with 'Summits', the band attempts to establish a sense of scale. The production is polished, and the low-end is cavernous, but the arrangement feels overly indulgent. Instead of the sharp, jagged edges that define the best of progressive black metal, the edges here are rounded off by excessive reverb. It creates a sense of distance that feels intentional but ultimately hinders the emotional connection between the listener and the performance.

The vastness of the scenery is eclipsed by the lack of musical focus.

'Nordic Anthem' and 'Afar' continue this trend of ethereal expansion. There are moments of melodic beauty, yet they are frequently buried under layers of ambient instrumentation that do not contribute to the core of the song. In several instances, the transition between atmospheric passages and heavier movements feels disjointed, as if the track is struggling to decide what it wants to be. This lack of cohesive direction makes it difficult to find a rhythmic anchor amidst the sweeping, panoramic vistas.

By the time we reach 'Moon' and 'Stars Ablaze', the fatigue of the formula begins to show. The atmosphere is undeniably evocative, yet it feels like a landscape viewed through a thick fog. The intricate weaving of instruments—the hallmark of the progressive element—feels less like a deliberate interplay and more like a decorative addition to a slowly unfolding tapestry. It is aesthetically pleasing in isolation, but it lacks the 'punch' required to sustain interest over a fifty-four-minute runtime.

'Unraveling' offers a slightly more kinetic pace, yet even here, the nuances of the performance are somewhat lost in the wash of sound. The nuances of the guitar work, which were once so distinctive in the band's earlier work, are now secondary to the overarching wash of the mix. The focus has shifted from the movement of the music to the texture of the environment, and in this transition, much of the spirit of the composition is lost.

'The Wild Lingers' and the closing 'Northward' attempt to bring the listener back to earth, but the impact is muted. The resolution feels expected rather than earned. While the musicianship remains beyond reproach, the creative direction feels stalled. It is a record that prefers to sit still rather than move forward, circling the same atmospheric peaks without ever crossing into new territory.

Ultimately, 'Fall' is a technically proficient but emotionally distant affair. It captures the 'Nordic' atmosphere with great reverence, but it sacrifices the vital, jagged energy that makes the genre compelling. It is a sprawling, beautiful, and ultimately hollow experience. For a band that once defined the boundaries of the genre, this latest excursion feels like a retreat into the safety of the background, leaving the listener with a sense of beauty that feels strangely hollow.",