- *Including: extended album edition(2 bonus songs), bonus disc featuring “Making of UNIVERSAL Part I-IV” [!]
"Universal" was recorded and mixed at Toproom Studio in Lunner, Norway, with the bandmembers themselves handling the production duties.
Commented BORKNAGAR mainman Oystein G. Brun: "We are extremely satisfied with the result! The album turned out even better than we dared to hope for when starting this journey. There is an attitude, energy and nerve to this record that will appeal to the most primal side of man, yet there is complexity and atmosphere that will challenge the most sophisticated parts of mind. The album contains all the elements that made BORKNAGAR the band we are and we firmly believe that this album will be a huge piece of candy for those who have followed the band through the years. This is by far the most complete album we have done to date — musically and production-wise — and we are right now just immensely eager to get the album out there!"
Regarding the album title, Brun said, "'Universal' is the title that shines through and mirrors the essence of the album. 'Universal' is a title that is broad enough and huge enough to project the giant character of this album, both musically and lyrically."
TRACKLIST:
01. Havoc
02. Reason
03. The Stir of Seasons
04. For a Thousand Years to Come
05. Abrasion Tide
06. Fleshflower
07. Worldwide
08. My Domain (feat. guest vocals by I.C.S Vortex)
LINE-UP:
Vintersorg (Andreas Hedlund) - Vocals, Choirs
Oystein Garnes Brun - Guitars
Jens F. Ryland - Guitars
Lazare (Lars Nedland) - Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Grand Piano, Backing Vocals
Tyr (Jan Erik Torgersen) - Bass
David Kinkade - Drums
Guest member:
I.C.S. Vortex (Simen Hestnaes) - Vocals on "My Domain"