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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Borknagar| image =| caption = Borknagar promo picture| image_size =| background = group_or_band| alias =| origin = Bergen, Norway|Bergen , Norway | genre = Black metal , progressive metal , folk metal | years_active = 1995–present| label = Century Media Records|Century Media | associated_acts = Age of Silence , Arcturus (band)|Arcturus , Cronian , Dimmu Borgir , Enslaved (band)|Enslaved , Fission (band)|Fission , Gorgoroth , Havayoth , Immortal (band)|Immortal , Otyg , Solefald , Spiral Architect , Thornbound, Ulver , Vintersorg , Waterclime , Soulfly | website = URL| http://www.borknagar.com/| current_members = Øystein G. Brun Jens F. Ryland Lars Nedland|Lars A. Nedland Andreas Hedlund|Vintersorg ICS Vortex | past_members = Infernus Kristoffer Rygg Ivar Bjørnson Erik Brødreskift Kai K. Lie Asgeir Mickelson Jan Erik Tiwaz|Tyr David Kinkade 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 black metal and folk 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, 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 , 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 based on the strength of this lineup. Borknagar's music instantly gained fans 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 ex- Dimmu Borgir , drummer Asgeir Mickelson , keyboardist Lars Nedland and more recently by current singer Andreas Hedlund|Vintersorg from Otyg and his Vintersorg|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 (band)|Emperor , Peccatum , In Flames , Morbid Angel , and Cradle of Filth .
Borknagar released a lighter album, Origin (Borknagar 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 .cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=32887|title=Borknagar To Record Acoustic Album|date=February 15, 2005|publisher= blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2009-03-30
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.cite web|url= http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/borknagar/378991-official-borknagar-news.html |title=Official Borknagar NEWS - Ultimate Metal Forum |publisher=Ultimatemetal.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-19 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.".cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=97471|title=Drummer Asgeir Mickelson Quits Borknagar|date=May 22, 2008|publisher= blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2009-03-30 A new drummer, the American David Kinkade , who has worked with Arsis and Malevolent Creation has joined the band since.cite web|url= http://www.smnnews.com/2008/10/30/borknagar-entering-studio-in-2009-announce-new-drummer/ |title=Borknagar Entering Studio in 2009, Announce New Drummer |publisher=SMNnews.com |date=2008-10-30 |accessdate=2011-08-19
In April 2009, the band announced that their upcoming album is titled Universal (Borknagar album)|Universal . The album, scheduled for a September release was postponed to a February 2010 release.cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=124410|title=Borknagar: New Album Title Revealed|date=April 12, 2009|publisher= blabbermouth.net |accessdate=2009-04-12
In early June 2010, Jan Erik Tiwaz left the bass guitarist position of Borknagar due to "general disagreements", http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=140987 Borknagar Part Ways With Bassist blabbermouth.net. 2010-06-01. Retrieved on 2010-06-02. and ICS Vortex replaced him and Vintersorg on the upcoming tour.cite news|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=141351|title=ICS Vortex rejoins Borknagar|date=June 10, 2010|publisher= Blabbermouth |accessdate=June 10, 2010
Also in June, 2010, the band announced their first tour of South America, with ICS Vortex on vocals.cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=141877 |title=BORKNAGAR To Tour South America In September |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-19
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.cite web|url= http://www.artisannorway.com/702/ics-vortex-back-with-borknagar/ |title=ICS Vortex back with Borknagar |publisher=Artisannorway.com |date= |accessdate=2011-08-19
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".
Discography
Borknagar (album)|Borknagar (1996, Malicious Records|Malicious , Century Black )
http://www.artisannorway.com/126/artisan-and-borknagar-the-connection/ Borknagar (Inside Articles at ArtisanNorway)
Borknagar DEFAULTSORT:Borknagar Category:Norwegian folk metal musical groups Category:Norwegian black metal musical groups Category:Musical groups established in 1995 Category:Musical sextets Category:Supergroups Category:Century Media Records artists
