Borknagar

In 1994, the death-metal guitarist Øystein G. Brun started to work on a musical vision, a vision of musical boldness. Having always been fond of melodious atmospherics, he recruited like-minded musicians from Enslaved, Gorgoroth, Arcturus, Immortal, and Ulver with the goal of rupturing the peripheries of what was deemed "traditional" black metal. Thus, the brilliant and sophisticated anomaly that is BORKNAGAR was born.

In 1996, after the release of their first self-titled album on Maliciou

s Records, the band signed with Century Media and released The Olden Domain in 1997. Very much to fans and critics alike and earning them a 1998 European tour supporting In Flames.

In August 1998 they went back to the studio to record The Archaic Course which featured the new members, Jens F. Ryland on guitar and Simen Hestnæs a.k.a. I.C.S. Vortex on vocals (former bassist and backing vocalist for Dimmu Borgir). Following an incredible performance at the 1998 Wacken Open Air Festival, drummer Grim and bassist Kai Lie exited the band before they embarked on their 1998 tour with Cradle of Filth, Napalm Death and Krisiun, bringing in Justin Greaves on drums and assigning Vortex to additional duties on bass. In May of 1999, BORKNAGAR (joined by ex-Cradle Of Filth and ex- Dimmu Borgir drummer Nick Barker) pillaged through North America on the now legendary Kings Of Terror Tour with Emperor, Witchery, Peccatum & Divin

e Empire, adding yet another epic chapter in the band's career.

BORKNAGAR entered Sweden's famed Abyss Studios in January 2000 to record the material that would become their fourth album Quintessence, adding to their ranks drummer Asgeir Mickelson and Solefald's keyboardist Lars A. Nedland. Quintessence was one of the year's most creatively inspiring extreme metal releases and was nominated for the Norwegian national Alarm prize.

Simen Hestnæs relinquished ties to the band to concentrate on

his duties with Dimmu Borgir, and the Swede Vintersorg joined the band. Erik Tyr Tiwaz (session and touring bassist for Emperor and Satyricon) was invited to contribute his unique talents while Lars continued to diligently divide his time between Solefald and BORKNAGAR.

In October 2001, one of BORKNAGAR`s best selling records, Empiricism, was released. The album was nominated for two prestigious awards in Norway, the National Grammy Award and again the Alarm prize.

In 2004 BORKNAGAR finished the 6th album EPIC. Prior to the recording of the album Jens F. Ryland and Erik Tyr Tiwaz decided to leave the band due to personal reasons. The album turned out to be one of the most ambitious albums the band had done, an album where the horizon and the sky was barely the limit. The album entered the national charts in Norway and received a great response worldwide.

In 2006, BORKNAGAR did the last record Origin for their long-time label Century Media Records. This album was recorded entirely acoustic and contrary to the predecessor, this alb

um was all about getting back to the very basics in BORKNAGARs musical universe. The album marked an end of a musical journey. As a musical testimony of the years that passed, Century Media Records released a "best of" CD with a suitable title For the Elements 1996-2006 in 2008.

In 2008, as the deal with Century Media Records was fulfilled, BORKNAGAR signed a deal with Norway’s finest; INDIE RECORDINGS. Jens F. Ryland and Erik Tyr Tiwaz rejoined the ranks of BORKNAGAR. Shortly after, due to different musical ideas and goals, long time drummer Asgeir Mickelson decided to leave the band. A few months after his departure, David Kinkade (ex- Malevolent Creation) joined the

band as the new drummer.

Current line-up

Borknagar - Borknagar

1.Vintervredets Sjelesagn

2.Tanker mot Tind (Kvelding)

3. Svartskogs Gilde

4.Ved Steingard

5.Krigsstev

6.Dauden

7.Grimskalle Trell

8.Nord Naagauk

9.Fandens Allheim

10.Tanker mot Tind (Gryning)

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The Olden Domain

Tracklist:

1. The Eye of Oden 
2. The Winterway 
3. Om Hundredeaareralting Glemt 
4. A Tale of Pagan Tongue 
5. The Mountains Rove 
6. Grimland Domain 
7. Ascension of Our Fathers 
8. The Dawn of the End

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The Archaic Course

Tracklist:

1. Oceans Rise
2. Universal
3. Witching Hour
4. The Black Token
5. Nocturnal Vision
6. Ad Noctum
7. Winter Millenium
8. Fields Of Long Gone Presence

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Quintessence


Tracklist:
1. Rivalry of Phantoms 
2. The Presence Is Ominous 
3. Ruins of the Future 
4. Colossus 
5. Inner Landscape 
6. Invincible 
7. Icon Dreams 
8. Genesis Torn 
9. Embers 
10. Revolt

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Empiricism

Tracklist:

1. The Genuine Pulse 
2. Gods of My World 
3. The Black Canvas 
4. Matter and Motion 
5. Soul Sphere 
6. Inherit the Earth 
7. The Stellar Dome 
8. Four Element Synchronicity 
9. Liberated 
10. The View of Everlast

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Epic


Tracklist:
1. Future Reminiscence 
2. Traveller 
3. Origin 
4. Sealed Chambers of Electricity 
5. The Weight of Wind 
6. Resonance 
7. Relate (Dialogue) 
8. Cyclus 
9. Circled 
10. Inner Ocean Hypothesis 
11. Quintessence 
12. The Wonder

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Universal


Tracklist:
1. Havoc 
2. Reason 
3. The Stir of Seasons 
4. For a Thousand Years to Come 
5. Abrasion Tide 
6. Fleshflower 
7. Worldwide 
8. My Domain 

Bonustrack (Limited Edition) 
9. Coalition of the Elements 
10. Loci 

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