The Olden Domain

True Norwegian Black Metal

I've been listening to many old school albums lately. Metal in all forms is so ubiquitous now that it's easy for older albums and bands to get passed over. Even if they still exist and still release albums. The vinyl resurgence of the last decade has made many great albums available again, most on larger labels with worldwide distribution that make them easier to get in the States, which is great for yours truly because so many were released on small European labels. I heard The Olden Domain in the late nineties and was totally blown away. Being raised in a religious household gave me the drive to rebel and extreme metal was just what the doctor ordered. My parents were aghast at what was happening in Norway. And of course Christian fear mongers made it worse. I never believed in god's or devil's only in the music.
Listening to albums from that era now it's still amazes me how quickly the sound of Norwegian black metal developed. From Deathcrush to Burzum to De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas in 1994. Then a whole new sound from Enslaved, Dimmu Borgir and Swedish black metal like Dissection and Sacramentum. Who brought a more melodic and polished sound. Borknagar's first self titled album from 1996 was a milestone of what black metal could be if the immature self inflicted parameters were cast aside and real talent and musicianship took over. True artistic expression. Oystein Brun put together an all star line up to realize his vision of a more progressive music. Featuring Garm from Ulver on vocals Grim from Immortal on drums and Ivar Bjornson on keyboards. The Olden Domain is basically the same line up. A supergroup before they were fashionable.
There is no need to break the album down song by song because they're all excellent. The talent on display is incredible. Each musician brings their A game which for this line up is second to none. Ivar Bjornson especially developed so fast into a fantastic multi instrumentalist and song writer. Seriously thirty years later and Enslaved still crush. This incarnation of Borknagar was short lived but utterly essential to black metal. A great album from start to finish from a great band.