Borknagar is a progressive black metal band from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1995 by Øystein Garnes Brun. The band's style combines black metal and folk metal with progressive and melodic elements. Borknagar's lyrics often deal with philosophy, paganism, nature, and the cosmos.

Biography [link]

Borknagar was founded by a remaining member of the Norwegian death metal band Molested when then-member Øystein Brun became tired of the brutal aspects of the band's music. Øystein formed Borknagar to explore a more melodic outlet of expression, inspired by the burgeoning black metal movement Norway was experiencing and looking to push the boundaries of what was considered "traditional" black metal music. He wrote all of the music and lyrics, and gathered together an all-star group of black metal musicians to play in his band, such as Infernus of Gorgoroth, Grim of Immortal and Gorgoroth, and Ivar Bjørnson of Enslaved. When Garm of Ulver, Head Control System, and Arcturus joined the project, it brought the band immediate attention. The band never even recorded a demo; they simply asked for a record contract on Malicious Records and were granted their request based on the strength of this lineup. Borknagar's music instantly gained fans and received positive press attention.

Borknagar has released ten albums to date. Their self-titled debut album features lyrics solely in Norwegian; all subsequent albums have featured lyrics written in English exclusively (however, The Olden Domain featured an instrumental track titled in Norwegian). Aside from Brun's lyrical contributions, the band has featured lyrics by other members as well: ICS Vortex from Arcturus and ex-Dimmu Borgir, drummer Asgeir Mickelson, keyboardist Lars Nedland and more recently by current singer Vintersorg from Otyg and his eponymous band. Bassist Jan Erik Tiwaz (a.k.a. Tyr) wrote the song 'The View of Everlast'. All of the band's records (excluding the original pressing of the debut album) have been released by the label Century Media. Borknagar has toured with various bands including Emperor, Peccatum, In Flames, Morbid Angel, and Cradle of Filth.

Borknagar released a lighter album, Origin, which is "an acoustic effort based entirely on the epic and progressive aspect of the band", according to Øystein G. Brun's statement on blabbermouth.net.^[1]

In late December 2007, the band signed a three-album deal with the Norwegian label Indie Recordings. In March 2008, Asgeir posted an announcement from Øystein on UltimateMetal forums stating that Erik Tiwaz and Jens F. Ryland had again become official members of the band, and that the band were aiming for a January 2009 release.^[2] In May 2008, Øystein released another statement announcing Asgeir's departure as the band's drummer, due to "evolving differences in musical ideas and visions [...] The split happens in friendly manner and with mutual respect for the decision that he has made. He will remain a good friend of the band.".^[3] A new drummer, the American David Kinkade, who has worked with Arsis and Malevolent Creation has joined the band since.^[4]

In April 2009, the band announced that their upcoming album is titled Universal. The album, scheduled for a September release was postponed to a February 2010 release.^[5]

In early June 2010, Jan Erik Tiwaz left the bass guitarist position of Borknagar due to "general disagreements",^[6] and ICS Vortex replaced him and Vintersorg on the upcoming tour.^[7]

Also in June, 2010, the band announced their first tour of South America, with ICS Vortex on vocals.^[8]

On August 25, 2010, the band announced that they were forced to cancel the South American tour due to reasons beyond their control.

In January 2011 the deal with Indie Recordings were terminated, and on March 28, 2011 Borknagar signed a new worldwide 3 album deal with Century Media Records.

On April 22, 2011, the band officially announced the return of ICS Vortex on both bass and vocals.^[9]

Drummer Dave Kinkade announced on his official Facebook page on October 25, 2011 that he had "mutually parted ways with Borknagar" and that he'll "be focusing 100% on Soulfly now".

On February 22, 2012 it was announced on the Norwegian website Artisan that the new drummer for the band would be Baard Kolstad.^[10]

Discography [link]

• Borknagar (1996, Malicious, Century Black)
• The Olden Domain (1997, Century Black)
• The Archaic Course (1998, Century Media)
• Quintessence (2000, Century Media)
• Empiricism (2001, Century Media)
• Epic (2004, Century Media)
• Origin (2006, Century Media)
• For the Elements (1996–2006) (2008, Century Media)
• Universal (2010, Indie Recordings)
• Urd (2012, Century Media)

Members [link]

Current members [link]

• Øystein G. Brun – guitar (1995-present) Performed on all albums.
• Jens F. Ryland – guitar (1997–2003, 2007-present) Performed on The Archaic Course, Quintessence, Empiricism, Universal and Urd albums.
• ICS Vortex – vocals, bass (1997–2000, 2010-present) Performed on The Archaic Chourse, Quintessence, Universal and Urd albums.
• Lars A. Nedland – keyboard, backing vocals (1999-present) Performed on Quintessence, Empiricism, Epic, Origin, Universal and Urd albums.
• Vintersorg – vocals (2000-present) Performed on Empiricism, Epic, Origin, Universal and Urd albums.
• Baard Kolstad – drums (2012-present) Performed on no albums yet, joined during Urd tour.

Former members [link]

• Infernus – bass (1995–1996)
  • Performed on Borknagar.
• Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg – vocals (1995–1997)
  • Performed on Borknagar and The Olden Domain.
• Ivar Bjørnson – keyboard (1995–1998)
  • Performed on Borknagar, The Olden Domain and The Archaic Course.
• Erik "Grim" Brødreskift – drums (1995–1998)
  • Performed on Borknagar, The Olden Domain and The Archaic Course.
• Kai Lie – bass (1996–1998)
  • Performed on The Olden Domain and The Archaic Course.
• Justin Greaves – drums (1998–1999)
  • Did not perform on any albums.
• Asgeir Mickelson – drums (1999–2008), also bass guitar and some guitar parts on Epic
  • Performed on Quintessence, Empiricism, Epic and Origin.
• Tyr – bass guitar (2000–2003, 2006–2010)
  • Performed on Empiricism, Origin, and Universal
• David Kinkade – drums (2008-2011)
  • Performed on Universal, and Urd

Timeline [link]

 id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar
 id:Vocals value:blue legend:Vocals
 id:Vocals_bass value:purple legend:Vocals, bass
 id:Bass value:red legend:Bass
 id:Keyboards value:yellow legend:Keyboards
 id:Keyboards_back value:rgb(1,0.5,0) legend:Keyboards, backing vocals
 id:Drums value:gray(0.45) legend:Drums
 id:Lines value:black legend:Studio releases

 at:02/09/1996 color:black layer:back
 at:08/18/1997 color:black layer:back
 at:10/20/1998 color:black layer:back
 at:04/17/2000 color:black layer:back
 at:10/22/2001 color:black layer:back
 at:06/29/2004 color:black layer:back
 at:10/30/2006 color:black layer:back
 at:02/22/2010 color:black layer:back

 bar:Øystein text:"Øystein G. Brun"
 bar:Jens text:"Jens F. Ryland"
 bar:Kristoffer text:"Kristoffer Rygg"
 bar:Andreas text:"Andreas Hedlund"
 bar:Simen text:"Simen Hestnæs"
 bar:Infernus text:"Infernus"
 bar:Kai text:"Kai Lie"
 bar:Jan text:"Jan Erik Tiwaz"
 bar:Ivar text:"Ivar Bjørnson"
 bar:Lars text:"Lars Nedland"
 bar:Erik text:"Erik Brødreskift"
 bar:Justin text:"Justin Greaves"
 bar:Asgeir text:"Asgeir Mickelson"
 bar:David text:"David Kinkade"

 width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
 bar:Øystein from:01/01/1995 till:end color:Guitar
 bar:Jens from:01/01/1997 till:end color:Guitar
 bar:Kristoffer from:01/01/1995 till:06/30/1997 color:Vocals
 bar:Andreas from:01/01/2000 till:end color:Vocals
 bar:Simen from:07/01/1997 till:06/30/2000 color:Vocals_bass
 bar:Simen from:02/01/2010 till:end color:Vocals_bass
 bar:Infernus from:01/01/1995 till:06/30/1996 color:Bass
 bar:Kai from:07/01/1996 till:12/31/1998 color:Bass
 bar:Jan from:07/01/2000 till:12/31/2004 color:Bass
 bar:Jan from:06/01/2007 till:01/01/2010 color:Bass
 bar:Ivar from:01/01/1995 till:12/31/1998 color:Keyboards
 bar:Lars from:01/01/1999 till:end color:Keyboards_back
 bar:Erik from:01/01/1995 till:06/30/1998 color:Drums
 bar:Justin from:07/01/1998 till:06/30/1999 color:Drums
 bar:Asgeir from:07/01/1999 till:05/15/2008 color:Drums
 bar:David from:05/16/2008 till:end color:Drums

References [link]

External links [link]

• Official website
• Borknagar on Myspace
• Borknagar official forum (at UltimateMetal)
• Borknagar discography at MusicBrainz
• Borknagar (Inside Articles at ArtisanNorway)