Borknagar

Lore & Background

Borknagar was founded by Øystein Brun, then a member of the Norwegian death metal band Molested, when he became tired of the brutal aspects of that band's music. He wrote all music and lyrics and gathered an all-star group of black metal musicians, including Grim of Immortal and Gorgoroth, and Ivar Bjørnson of Enslaved. The addition of Garm of Ulver brought immediate attention, and the band secured a record contract with Malicious Records without recording a demo. In 1999, Grim died and was replaced by Asgeir Mickelson, who joined in 2000.

Reader's Guide

Borknagar's significance lies in their evolution from a black metal foundation to a more melodic and progressive sound, influencing the broader metal scene by incorporating folk and philosophical themes. Their debut album and subsequent works, such as The Olden Domain and Universal, showcase a shift toward epic and progressive elements, as seen in the acoustic album Origin. The band's resilience through multiple lineup changes, including the deaths of members like Grim, and their ability to maintain a distinct identity over twelve studio albums, underscores their legacy as a pioneering force in Norwegian progressive metal. Their lyrics, exploring nature, paganism, and the cosmos, have resonated with fans seeking depth beyond traditional metal themes.

Did You Know?

• Borknagar never recorded a demo; they secured a record contract based solely on the strength of their initial lineup.
• The band's debut album, Borknagar (1996), features lyrics entirely in Norwegian, while all later albums use English.
• Original vocalist Garm (Kristoffer Rygg) provided guest vocals on the 2016 album Winter Thrice.
• Drummer David Kinkade left Borknagar in 2011; he had already joined Soulfly earlier that year.

Origins & The All-Star Debut

Borknagar was born in Bergen in 1995 when Øystein Garnes Brun, then a guitarist in the Norwegian death metal outfit Molested, grew weary of that band's brutal sound. Seeking a more melodic creative outlet, he drew inspiration from Norway's burgeoning black metal scene while deliberately pushing beyond what was considered traditional within that genre. Brun wrote all the music and lyrics himself, then assembled a remarkable roster of established black metal musicians: Infernus from Gorgoroth, Grim from Immortal and Gorgoroth, and Ivar Bjørnson from Enslaved. When Garm of Ulver, Head Control System, and Arcturus joined the project, the lineup's prestige brought immediate attention. Remarkably, the band never recorded a single demo. They simply requested a record contract from Malicious Records and were granted one based purely on the strength of their personnel. The self-titled debut, featuring lyrics written entirely in Norwegian, was met with instant fan enthusiasm and positive press coverage, establishing Borknagar as a force to be reckoned with in the European metal scene.

Musical Evolution & Lyrical Philosophy

From its inception, Borknagar charted a course that blended black metal's atmospheric intensity with progressive structures and folk sensibilities. Øystein Brun's songwriting explored themes of philosophy, paganism, nature, and the cosmos, giving the band a lyrical depth that set it apart from much of the Scandinavian metal landscape. The debut album was sung exclusively in Norwegian, but every subsequent record shifted to English, with the sole exception of an instrumental track on The Olden Domain bearing a Norwegian title. Beyond Brun's own writing, the band cultivated a collaborative lyrical tradition: ICS Vortex from Arcturus, drummer Asgeir Mickelson, keyboardist Lars Nedland, vocalist Vintersorg, and bassist Jan Erik Tiwaz (known as Tyr) all contributed verses at various points. The 2006 release Origin marked a deliberate departure, an entirely acoustic effort that Brun described as focusing on the epic and progressive dimensions of the band's identity. This willingness to strip away aggression and let melody and atmosphere breathe demonstrated a project unafraid to redefine its own boundaries.

A Band Forged in Change

Borknagar's history reads as a testament to resilience amid constant personnel flux. The loss of drummer Grim in 1999 was a devastating blow, triggering a rapid succession of replacements: Justin Greaves departed shortly after joining, followed by Asgeir Mickelson. Mickelson himself left in 2008 amid evolving differences in musical ideas and visions, a split Brun described as friendly and mutual. American drummer David Kinkade, previously of Arsis and Malevolent Creation, stepped in but parted ways in 2011 to focus on Soulfly. Baard Kolstad followed, serving until 2018. Vocalist Vintersorg, a fixture from 2000 to 2019, departed amicably due to family pressures and lingering effects of injuries sustained in late 2014. ICS Vortex, who had cycled through bass and vocal roles since the late 1990s, reassumed lead duties. Each transition was handled with evident mutual respect, and the band continued to release material, tour internationally, and evolve—proving that Borknagar's identity resided not in any single member but in Brun's enduring creative vision.

Career Arc & Enduring Relevance

Across nearly three decades, Borknagar has released twelve studio albums, toured alongside major acts including Emperor, In Flames, Morbid Angel, and Cradle of Filth, and navigated multiple label relationships. After their Malicious Records debut, the band signed a three-album deal with Norwegian label Indie Recordings in late 2007, only to terminate that arrangement in January 2011 and secure a worldwide three-album contract with Century Media Records. Their 2010 South American tour, planned with ICS Vortex on vocals, was cancelled due to circumstances beyond the band's control, a setback that did little to dim their international profile. The album Universal, initially slated for September 2009, was postponed to February 2010. Winter Thrice saw production delayed by Vintersorg's injuries before concluding in June 2015, with original vocalist Kristoffer Rygg contributing guest vocals. In 2019, True North arrived, and on 15 December 2023, the band announced their twelfth album, Fall, set for 23 February 2024, accompanied by the lead single Summits and a visualizer. The trajectory speaks to a project that has never stopped moving forward.