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The Archaic Course

Norway Country of Origin: Norway

1. Intro - Terror In Time
2. Son Of A Gun, Daughter Of A Slaughter
3. Agents Of Decadence
4. Burn Bitch Burn!
5. Slaughterhouse Supremacy
6. Firebolt
7. Crypt Of Decay
8. Terror 2000
9. Elimination Complete
1. Oceans Rise
2. Universal
3. The Witching Hour
4. The Black Token
5. Noctural Vision
6. Ad Noctum
7. Winter Millennium
8. Fields Of Long Gone Presence

Review by Adam on May 21, 2002.

Terror2000 is perhaps in best terms known as a ‘metal super-group’, comprising members from both Darkane and Soilwork. Both the aforementioned bands have major thrash influences and “Slaughterhouse Supremacy” is the vein of Slayer and Sodom. The record delivers a sonic offering hailing back to old school thrash metal, while still retaining very modern feel.

The album kicks in with a short introduction where every member goes completely nuts on his respectful instrument. This gives the listener an initial warning of things to come. Right when the first note of the second track kicks in, you know you are going to be treated to some top quality thrash metal. Who would have expected anything less from vocalist Bjorn 'Speed' Strid who also plays bass, Klas from Darkane, and Henry Ranta, the rhythm and speed machine from Soilwork?
Terror2000 do not ask for your respect just because of the names involved, but demand it, as you listen to the music included on this record!

I could go on and on about how awesome this disc is, but I would probably bore you. Instead let me just assure you that if you are fan of speed metal, then you should definitely think about obtaining a copy of this album. Of course, there is hardly any originality to be heard since it is mostly an assembly of musicians playing out their old school 80s influences. However, these influences are acted out upon with a fresh outlook and a slightly more contemporary approach. Therefore, fans of Darkane, Soilwork, and thrash in general have no excuse to not have their own copy of “Slaugherhouse Supremacy”!

Bottom Line: If you want good thrash metal, then buy this album now!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 8
Originality: 3
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.4 out of 10

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Review by Jack on June 11, 2001.

Alas, all things in time must come to an end. When I first purchased this CD from Borknagar, I was horrified to find that firstly when putting it in the CD player, that the running time was a shade under thirty-eight minutes, not something you’d expect from Borknagar, when listening to "The Olden Domain" and their self-titled epic, both which run a shade under three-quarters of an hour.

Borknagar, with this album, have done away with Garm (Arcturus and Ulver), as their lead singer, and replaced him with ICS Vortex (who did some work with Arcturus). Vortex’s vocals whom many of you would be familiar with Dimmu Borgir are of a rather ‘different’ nature than the standard thoroughfare black metal nature. Lyrics are concerned with a more universal theme, than their last album, which was more dependent on nature. Lyric topics are similar, to Vintersorg’s latest effort, "Cosmic Genesis", and have strong universal and grandiose lineage. The music departs somewhat surprisingly from a black nature, to perhaps, (dare I say) progressive element surrounding parts of "The Archaic Course". The pace of this album is toned down, and a more gentle listen on the ears.

Oystein G. Brun brilliantly writes music for Borknagar, and is a real asset for the band, with such solid songs, it is really hard to see Borknagar going astray in the future. This CD is a wildcard in the band’s discography yet it does contain some extremely well played and composed songs. "Universal" and "Ad Noctum" are two of the band’s finest musical moments, the latter using a Hammond organ in the structure of the piece, and giving a decisively retro feel about it.

Bottom Line: If your willingly to depart from the traditional sounding black metal packs of musicians in the world, give this CD a spin, if not, steer well clear as this CD may well poison your mind. Vortex adds a new dimension, and Borknagar walks down a different path as a result. An interesting future ahead.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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