Borknagar 418450 226050850 2008-07-16T16:39:54Z Hawks10 6236930 {{Infobox Musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | Name = Borknagar | Img = | Img_capt = | Img_size = | Landscape = | Background = group_or_band | Alias = | Origin = [[Bergen, Norway|Bergen]], [[Norway]] | Genre = [[Progressive metal]]<br/>[[Black metal]] <br> [[Viking metal]] <br> [[Folk metal]] | Years_active = 1995–present | Label = [[Indie Recordings]]<br>[[Century Media Records]] <br> [[Malicious Records]] | Associated_acts = [[Arcturus (band)|Arcturus]]<br />[[Cronian]]<br />[[Dimmu Borgir]]<br />[[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]]<br />[[Gorgoroth]]<br />[[Immortal (band)|Immortal]]<br />[[Solefald]]<br />[[Ulver]]<br />[[Vintersorg]]<br />[[Age of Silence]] | URL = [http://www.borknagar.com/ www.borknagar.com] | Current_members = [[Øystein Brun]] <br> Jens F. Ryland <br> [[Lars Nedland]] <br> [[Andreas Hedlund]] <br> Jan Erik Torgersen | Past_members = [[Infernus (musician)|Infernus]] <br> [[Kristoffer Rygg]] <br> [[Ivar Bjørnson]] <br> [[Erik Brødreskift]] <br> Kai K. Lie <br> [[ICS Vortex]] <br> [[Asgeir Mickelson]] }} '''Borknagar''' is a [[Progressive metal|progressive]] [[black metal]] band from [[Bergen, Norway|Bergen]], [[Norway]], founded in 1995 by [[Øystein Garnes Brun]]. The band's style combines [[folk metal]] and [[black metal]] with progressive and melodic elements. Borknagar's lyrics often deal with [[philosophy]], [[paganism]], [[nature]], and the [[Universe|cosmos]]. ==Biography== 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, apparently inspired by the burgeoning [[black metal]] movement Norway was experiencing. 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 [[Roger Tiegs|Infernus]] of [[Gorgoroth]], [[Erik Brødreskift|Grim]] of [[Immortal (band)|Immortal]] and [[Gorgoroth]], and [[Ivar Bjørnson]] of [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]]. When [[Kristoffer Rygg|Garm]] of [[Ulver]], [[Head Control System]], and [[Arcturus (band)|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. Borknagar's majestic, melodic sound was instantly liked by many and received positive press attention. Borknagar has released seven albums to date. Their self-titled debut album features lyrics solely in [[Norwegian language|Norwegian]]; all subsequent albums have featured lyrics written in [[English language|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 (band)|Arcturus]] and [[Dimmu Borgir]], drummer [[Asgeir Mickelson]] and more recently by current singer [[Andreas Hedlund|Vintersorg]] from [[Otyg]] and his [[Vintersorg|eponymous band]]. 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 (band)|Emperor]], [[Peccatum]], [[In Flames]], [[Morbid Angel]], and [[Cradle of Filth]]. The most recent Borknagar album, ''Origin'', 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]][http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=32887]. 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 Ryland had again become official members of the band, and that the band were aiming for a January 2009 release[http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/borknagar/378991-official-borknagar-news.html]. 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."[http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97471] ==Discography== *''[[Borknagar (album)|Borknagar]]'' (1996, [[Malicious Records]], [[Century Black]]) *''[[The Olden Domain]]'' (1997, [[Century Black]]) *''[[The Archaic Course]]'' (1998, Century Media Records) *''[[Quintessence (Borknagar album)|Quintessence]]'' (2000, Century Media Records) *''[[Empiricism (album)|Empiricism]]'' (2001, Century Media Records) *''[[Epic (album)|Epic]]'' (2004, Century Media Records) *''[[Origin (Borknagar album)|Origin]]'' (2006, Century Media Records) *''Untitled 8th studio album (2009) ==Members== ===Current members=== * [[Øystein Brun|Øystein G. Brun]] - [[guitar]] (1995-) * [[Andreas Hedlund|Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund]] - [[singer|vocals]] (2000-) * [[Lars Nedland|Lars "Lazare" Nedland]] - [[keyboard instrument|keyboard]], [[backing vocalist|backing vocals]] (1999-) * [[Jens F. Ryland]] - guitar (1997-2003, 2007-) * [[Erik "Tyr" Tiwaz]] - bass guitar (2000-2004, 2007-) ===Former members=== * [[Roger Tiegs|Roger "Infernus" Tiegs]] - bass (1995-1996) ** <font size=1>Performed on ''[[Borknagar (album)|Borknagar]]''.</font> * [[Kristoffer Rygg|Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg]] - vocals (1995-1997) ** <font size=1>Performed on ''[[Borknagar (album)|Borknagar]]'' and ''[[The Olden Domain]]''.</font> * [[Ivar Bjørnson]] - keyboard (1995-1998) ** <font size=1>Performed on ''[[Borknagar (album)|Borknagar]]'', ''[[The Olden Domain]]'' and ''[[The Archaic Course]]''.</font> * [[Erik Brødreskift|Erik "Grim" Brødreskift]] - drums (1995-1998) ** <font size=1>Performed on ''[[Borknagar (album)|Borknagar]]'', ''[[The Olden Domain]]'' and ''[[The Archaic Course]]''.</font> * [[Kai Lie]] - bass (1996-1998) ** <font size=1>Performed on ''[[The Olden Domain]]'' and ''[[The Archaic Course]]''.</font> * [[Simen Hestnæs|Simen "ICS Vortex" Hestnæs]] - vocals, bass (1997-2000) ** <font size=1>Performed on ''[[The Archaic Course]]'' and ''[[Quintessence (Borknagar album)|Quintessence]]''.</font> * [[Justin Greaves]] - drums (1998-1999) ** <font size=1>Did not perform on any albums.</font> * [[Asgeir Mickelson]] - [[drum kit|drums]] (1999-2008), [[bass guitar]] on ''Epic'' ** <font size=1>Performed on ''[[Quintessence (Borknagar album)|Quintessence]]'', ''[[Empiricism (album)|Empiricism]]'', ''[[Epic (album)|Epic]]'' and ''[[Origin (Borknagar album)|Origin]]''.</font> ==External links== *[http://www.borknagar.com Borknagar Official Homepage] *[http://www.myspace.com/borknagar Borknagar Official Myspace] *[http://ultimatemetal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=157 Borknagar Official Forum (At UltimateMetal)] *{{musicbrainz artist|id=8df2629f-8ae9-4687-9207-4cf3c22cc763|name=Borknagar}} {{Borknagar}} [[Category:Folk metal musical groups]] [[Category:Norwegian black metal musical groups]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]] [[Category:Melodic black metal musical groups]] [[Category:Supergroups]] [[de:Borknagar]] [[es:Borknagar]] [[fr:Borknagar]] [[it:Borknagar]] [[pl:Borknagar]] [[ro:Borknagar]] [[fi:Borknagar]] [[sv:Borknagar]]