Review by Adam M on May 21, 2015.

The Olden Domain features the vocalist from Arcturus’ Le Masquerade Infernale. That’s the first thing I noticed when listening to this album. This effort is also a good start for a band that used a more black metal palette with folk influences and moved on to add more progressive elements to their sound.

However, I believe this band has always had the edge over the related Vintersorg because of a more unique and left-field approach. In fact, the band probably has more in common with the Norwegian oddballs Arcturus in their approach. The songs on this album feature numerous appealing guitar riffs that seem to be the perfect background to grow into more avant-garde directions in the future. The songs also benefit from the folk element that Borknagar has always maintained and that adds more colour to the overall scope of the tracks on this album. Regardless, even in its earliest steps, it can be seen that the band has a compelling approach that separates them from other bands that might seem to share some similarities to them. The potential that the band holds is unfortunately held back slightly by a production job that doesn’t quite do the songs complete justice. It’s sufficient, but lacks power and clarity. Making up for this, however, is a sound that has undeniably made its mark as the classic type because of catchy song structures and wholly memorable ideas. It’s also an interesting new direction for the black metal genre that began to diverge in neat new directions with albums such as Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk at around the same time.

There are many highlight tracks on this album, among them being the operatic To Mount the Brave. As a reissue, an album this strong will always be worth picking up. While I may point to Quintessence as being the best Borknagar album, The Olden Domain is certainly a close contender to that throne. As such, this reissue demands your utmost attention.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Jack on June 11, 2001.

Labeled, as the mother of all supergroups, comprised of members from bands such as Arcturus, Ulver, Enslaved, Gorgoroth, Immortal and Molested, Borknagar could be attributed to be trying to cash in on their supergroup status, this fortunately is not the case, as we are witness to a group of extremely talented musicians, some at the height of the musical prowess.

"The Olden Domain" is what really shot Borknagar through the cannon into black metal infamy. ‘Epic metal’ tagged by guitarist and mastermind Oystein G. Brun. And epic metal is exactly what this music is. The lyrics sung by infamous vocalist Garm are of a Viking nature and tend towards nature as a pose to the great struggles of religions sung by other black groups. Garm’s vocals range from the standard black screams to operatic, beautiful clean chants, which are probably what he is famed for. Unfortunately for Borknagar, Garm is no longer with them, as he spread himself too thin over other projects. Music is very fast paced and sets a good tempo to harbor Garm’s remarkable singing. Drums remain consistent throughout the 44 minutes of playing time. Guitars are quite awesomely played, quiet catchy riffs, and beautifully played acoustic parts reminiscent of Satyricon’s "Nemesis Divinia" with fantastic melody.

No songs really stand out all that much, there are only 8 songs on the album, but range from between 4 minute instrumentals to 8 minute epic tracks. Personal favorites for me include "To Mount and Rode", which has the most memorable chorus ever present in black metal. "The Dawn of the End" has an awesome title and is encompassed by some lovely interplay between bass guitar, guitars and Garm’s vocals.

Bottom Line: This isBorknagar’s best album and if they could hold down a permanent singer, (ICS Vortex and Garm have both gone, Vintersorg is now handling those duties) they would truly become a mastermind at the forefront of Epic and Black metal outfits.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Jeger on May 6, 2025.

Terje Bakken aka Valfar of the now defunct Norwegian atmospheric / folk black metal band Windir died of hypothermia. He was making his way through the countryside to his family's cabin at Fagereggi, Norway, and unprepared for a coming blizzard was he. He froze to death… Pretty black metal way to go. Tragic but legendary. Valfar was an elite talent behind his guitar, but also keyboards and accordion - a multi-instrumentalist visionary for Norwegian BM. Windir broke up in 2004 following the death of its mastermind; leaving a void that will always remain. Windir was just that unique and that important to black metal. In 2003, about ten months preceding Valfar's untimely demise, Windir released their celebrated Likferd LP via Head Not Found.

Windir was one of those history / mythology / pagan black metal collectives, as opposed to the diabolical variety ie Gorgoroth and Mayhem, and much like Bathory, Windir's music was epic, memorably melodic and just a guitar and keyboards-driven cream dream… Nothing aggressive about it, just triumphantly majestic like Sear Bliss yet classic in the vein of Emperor's debut. Valfar and Nödtveidt - the best to have ever done it. Likferd is just one of those elite metal albums like Candlemass - "Nightfall", Dissection - "Storm of the Light's Bane" or Carcass - "Heartwork", and it represented a more refined version of Windir. Not sanitized, but a bit more filtered. Such epic BM cast in a proper engineering light. Galloping along through "Despot" upon groovy chugs and intrepid double-bass currents before "Blodssvik" unfolds to equally as groovy but alas more dynamic passages. And it gets riffed out hard, the atmosphere becomes laser electric and it even gets a bit grimy. Comprehensive but reined in by a proper respect for genre purity. Impressively nuanced yet grandiose and overwhelming is Likferd.

What a brilliant vision for what was at the time, outside of the aforementioned Emperor, a bit of an unimaginative Norwegian movement. Like Norse Warlords bellowing in song o'er the mountain range. Gigantic mugs of ale in hand in celebration one moment, all soulful and melodic the next and mystifyingly atmospheric throughout it all. "On The Mountain Of Goats" - an achievement worthy of worship - another riffed out gem of a track that begs for repeated listens. Traversing over unpredictable but somehow fluid compositional terrain now. Each segment just oozing into the next without inertia and at differing tempos, but always bonded by jackhammer percussion. Does black metal get better than this? Not by much and all those Opeth-like contemplative quasi-symphonic parts keep shit interesting, but for this ole boy, it's a guitar fest, which is basically a sausage fest but with guitars and kickass guitar players like our boy here. Striking passages like the intro to the closer, Ætti mørkna that precede what remains of the experience: riffs and enchanting atmospherics just inviting you in like strippers in a Jacuzzi.

Better to go out on top? Not really. Life is about the valleys as well. Windir was in the prime of their career when this tragedy that could've maybe been avoided had Terje just worn a thicker coat transpired. The release of 1184 and the unveiling of its follow-up in this masterpiece would've been what they call "big shoes to fill", but altogether a task that Valfar would've no doubt tackled with enthusiasm. An under-sung BM legend for what he achieved above ground. What an impressive catalog and such a prodigious talent.

Is it better to freeze to death unexpectedly in the prime of your life or to die a sickly old heap in a hospital bed? Great argument. Life is plagued by the inevitability of death. It's hard to fathom how it's always right around the corner, but the trick is to try and distract yourself by doing some cool shit while you're here. Live while you can, ya silly cunts. Take passion by the reins and find something you love. Do it while there's still time. Valfar left behind a legacy of contemporary / olde world respected-the-world over black metal. A discography with integrity! Not just shitting out record upon record like vinyl diarrhea or putting out a record every 10 to 15 years. Windir was an artistic but also a pro endeavor like Death, the aforementioned Dissection or Watain, and their music set the bar while Valfar was here. Fuck cabins. I'm terrified of bears and would not enter into the wilderness unless it was with an arsenal of firearms. And the weather? Killer man… Windir - sorely missed  and eternally respected by those of us who know what truly great black metal is. Likferd - a monumental album release like "Reinkaos" that will echo through the annals of BM history as one of the most accomplished black metal records ever written. Hail!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review by Jack on March 4, 2004.

While Windir will not win the accolade of being the most unique or groundbreaking metal act in the last few years, they have to be certain to rank amongst the top names in terms of adrenaline and tenacity.

Catchy hooks, driving drums and a particular acidic black rasp are the order of the day with Windir's "Likferd," and they do not let up for the duration of the record. To break things up a bit Windir incorporate some soaring keyboard melodies and folk inspired pieces that are introduced intermittently across "Likferd" to provide a bit of substance to an already impressive black metal outing.

Of special note is the track 'Blodssvik' which is -the- example of what black metal can be like. Not the dreary and drab 'true' Norwegian style or the rather camp symphonic black metal, but rather galloping riffs and thunderous drums providing a majestic tapestry for vocalist Valfar to wield his considerable vocal talent. This is one song that is a mandatory head-banger. \m/.

There isn't a lot more to say about "Likferd" really. If you like black metal you will definitely find some solace with Windir's "Likferd." Here simplicity reigns supreme. Windir have not overdone any feature of "Likferd." Everything has come together perfectly on "Likferd" and hopefully this record will get the recognition it deserves.

A fine black metal record with enough energy and atmosphere to keep you rocking on until the wee hours of the morn. "Likferd" should elevate Windir into the upper peaks of the black metal underground.

R.I.P. Valfar

Rating: 8 out of 10