Quintessence (Borknagar album)

Infobox Album | Name = Quintessence
Type = studio
Artist = Borknagar

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Released = April 17, 2000
Recorded = 2000
Genre = Melodic black metal, Progressive metal
Folk metal
Length = 43:28
Label = Century Media Records
Producer = Borknagar Peter Tägtgren
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:24jieae44xu7 link]
Last album = "The Archaic Course" (1998)
This album = "Quintessence" (2000)
Next album = "Empiricism" (2001) |

"Quintessence" is Borknagar's fourth studio album, and the final studio album by the band to feature ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) on vocals.

It was recorded at The Abyss Studios in January 2000, and mixed by Peter Tägtgren. According to interviews, this album was meant to be a strictly straight-forward black metal album, as shown on the production quality and the fact that ICS Vortex's vocals are more of the traditional black metal screams and growls, with less clean singing.

This album marks bassist Kai K Lie's departure from the band, with vocalist ICS Vortex taking over bass duties. It also marks the departure of keyboardist Ivar Bjørnson (being replaced with Lars A. Nedland) and drummer Grim (being replaced with Asgeir Mickelson), who incidentally committed suicide a few months before the album's release. This would also be Vortex's last album before quitting the band to join Dimmu Borgir (reportedly due to an ultimatum on Øystein Brun's part)

Track listing

#"Rivalry of Phantoms"– 4:36
#"The Presence is Ominous" – 4:55
#"Ruins of the Future" – 4:55
#"Colossus" – 4:27
#"Inner Landscape" – 2:51
#"Invincible" – 4:25
#"Icon Dreams" – 4:32
#"Genesis Torn" – 5:16
#"Embers" – 1:26
#"Revolt" – 6:05

Credits

*Øystein G. Brun – guitar
*ICS Vortex – vocals, bass
*Asgeir Mickelson – drums
*Jens F. Ryland – guitar
*Lars A. Nedland – keyboards