After having some line-up changes again in the past (drummer Asgeir Mickelson took over the bass on this album), the now 4-piece band could show once again that they are indeed able to produce very complex and interesting albums. When I first listened to the album, it was too difficult to find a way into it. It takes some time of intensive listening until you can grasp the songs (not to forget the lyrics, but everyone who knows Borknagar knows about their slightly complicated lyrics ;)).

To describe the album in a few words would be almost impossible, so let's see what is different to Empiricism. Since I like the previous albums very much one thing that was missing is a strong opener as "The Genuine Pulse" was or hit-songs like "The Presence Is Ominious", "Colossus" or "Rivalry Of Phantoms" back on Quintessence (with Simen on vocals, who is now with Dimmu Borgir). Epic offers 12 very interesting songs which are all different but there is no real hit on this album, however I couldn't pick one single bad song either.

Anyway, music-wise everyone is doing a great job again and the sound is even better than on Empiricism. Vintersorg is now fully integrated into the band, can show his wide range of vocals from clean vocals to grim vocals and choirs and he even plays guitars on "The Inner Ocean Hypothesis" and a solo on "Quintessence". Very interesting and remarkable is Lars A. Nedland's work with his Hammond organ and synthsizers which can be heard throughout the instrumental "The Weight Of Wind". Compared to the older albums you might have realized yourself that the band is getting more and more away from Black Metal and into the progressive direction as it can be heard on this release quite clearly. I think this mixture fits very well to the band and makes them so interesting.

The album was once again recorded with Borge Finstad and produced by Borknagar. A nice extra on Epic is the making of video which appears to be quite amusing at some parts :). Summing up I would say that Epic is a good album, not easy at all, but every fan should risk an ear and give it a try - just be aware of the fact that it really takes a while until you are really getting into this album. However, I still think that it didn't reach the high level of Quintessence.

written by Silence

Playing time: 57.53