Quintessence

It was recorded in January 2000 at The Abyss Studios in Sweden, produced and mixed by Peter Tagtgren of Hypocrisy. The band have said the album was first intended as a relatively straightforward black metal record, and the production and the weight given to harsh vocals over clean singing both show it. The line-up had turned over heavily. Bassist Kai K. Lie left before the sessions, so singer Simen Hestnaes — credited as ICS Vortex — played bass as well. The founding keyboard player Ivar Bjornson and the drummer Erik "Grim" Brodreskift had been replaced by Lars A. Nedland and Asgeir Mickelson. It is also the last Borknagar album with Hestnaes, who left for Dimmu Borgir, reportedly after an ultimatum from Oystein Brun, and did not return until 2010. Tom Kvalsvoll mastered the record and Christophe Szpajdel drew the logo. The running order here is the original's as printed.