As such, the band's most known style would be that of progressive black metal, with most of their albums taking from this style. Borknagar's lyrics often deal with philosophy, paganism, nature, and the cosmos. Øystein Brun stated once that the name was inspired by a Scottish legend about a man who climbed Lochnagar, a mountain in Scotland.
Borknagar rose out of the ashes of the Norwegian death metal band Molested when then-member Øystein G. Brun became tired of the brutal aspects of the band's music. Øystein formed Borknagar to explore a more melodic outlet of expression; he wrote all of the music and lyrics and gathered together an all-star group of black metal musicians to play in his band. Well-known musicians of the black metal scene (such as Infernus of Gorgoroth, Grim of Immortal and Gorgoroth, Ivar Bjørnson from Enslaved, Garm of Ulver, Head Control System, and ex-Arcturus) joined the project, bringing immediate attention to Borknagar. 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 ten albums to date. Their self-titled debut album features lyrics in Norwegian; all subsequent albums have featured lyrics written in English by both ICS Vortex from Arcturus and Dimmu Borgir and later by current singer, Vintersorg from Otyg and his eponymous band (Vintersorg). All of the band's records (excluding the original pressing of the debut album via Malicious Records) have been released by the Century Media label. Borknagar has toured with various bands, including the well-known Cradle of Filth.
Simen Hestnæs rejoined the band in 2010. Since then he and Vintersorg have shared lead vocal duties.
Discography:
1996 - Borknagar
1997 - The Olden Domain
1998 - The Archaic Course
2000 - Quintessence
2001 - Empiricism
2002 - Urd
2004 - Epic
2006 - Origin
2010 - Universal
2012 - Urd
2016 - Winter Thrice
2019 - True North
Members:
Current Members
* Vintersorg (Andreas Hedlund) - Vocals
* Øystein G. Brun - Guitar
* Lazare (Lars Nedland) - Keyboard
* Jens Ryland - Guitar
* ICS Vortex (Simen Hestnæs) - Vocals, Bass
* Baard Kolstad - Drums
Former Members
* Garm (Kristoffer Rygg) - Vocals
* Asgeir Mickelson - Drums
* Kai Lie - Bass
* Infernus - Bass
* Ivar Bjørnson - Keyboard
* Grim (Erik Brødreskift) - Drums (Causa mortis: Suicide. 1969 - 1999.10.04.)
* Tyr (Jan Erik Tiwaz) - Bass - Session Member for Origin album
* David Kinkade - Drums
Invincible
Borknagar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Raised by the dawn of existnece
I grew as one with the elements
Shown the cause of extinction
I have seen worlds bloom to explode
And horizons flush into voids of fire and ice
The dawn, the existence and the fall
I was raised by the dawn of existence
Breathing the fire of every sun
I was born a fragment of future
Raised by the dawn of existence
I turned grey in the storm shadows
Showing the cause of extinction
The substance of invicible motion
Is invincible as the substance in motion
We rise again as you fall
I have seen life extinct to bloom
The lyrics of Borknagar's song Invincible are a poetic reflection on the cyclical nature of existence, from birth to death and rebirth. The singer in the song sees himself as a part of the larger picture of creation, born as a "fragment of future" and raised by the dawn of existence. As he grows, he becomes one with the elements, and is shown the cause of extinction. The singer has witnessed both the birth and death of worlds - some blooming only to explode, while others explode only to bloom.
As the song progresses, the singer becomes a figure of natural power, "breathing the fire of every sun". He turns grey in the storm shadows, still representing the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The lyrics then take on a philosophical tone, with the singer contemplating the substance of invincible motion, which is as invincible as the substance in motion. In the final lines, the singer rises again as others fall, and he has seen life become extinct only to bloom once more.
In essence, the song expresses the beauty and fragility of existence, and encourages a deep respect for life and the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born a fragment of future
I came into being as a small piece of what is yet to come
Raised by the dawn of existence
I was nurtured by the first light that touched creation
I grew as one with the elements
I developed in harmony with the fundamental components of nature
Shown the cause of extinction
I have been made aware of the reasons why worlds and civilizations come to an end
I have seen worlds bloom to explode
I have witnessed entire realms of existence flourish then violently disintegrate
And horizons flush into voids of fire and ice
I have observed distant planes of reality give way to extremes of heat and cold
I have seen worlds explode to bloom
I have also seen previous wastelands transformed into thriving new worlds
The dawn, the existence and the fall
The cycle of creation, being, and destruction is a constant presence in my awareness
Breathing the fire of every sun
I have been imbued with the energy of all the stars that ever burned in the universe
I turned grey in the storm shadows
I gradually became jaded and weary in the midst of countless upheavals
Showing the cause of extinction
Despite my disillusionment, I continue to understand the factors behind the demise of different life forms
The substance of invincible motion
There is a tangible quality of unstoppable force within me
Is invincible as the substance in motion
This undeniable momentum is as indestructible as the essence of movement itself
We rise again as you fall
I and those like me will emerge victorious even as our adversaries meet their downfall
I have seen life extinct to bloom
I have witnessed the rebirth of existence from the ashes of destruction
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Witchkrieg
This has to be one of my all time favorite Borknagar songs.
marco pinto
El poder del metal✊🏾
Hrotriks
My favorite Borknagar song ...
Старый Пацан
AWESOME SOUND
MISANTHROPE00
I have seen worlds bloom to explode
And horizons flush into voids of fire and ice
Señor Devia
epic
Señor Devia
this shit is so fucking awesome!!!!
ANTONIO GALINDO RENTERIA
Canción de huevos yeaaaaaaaasssaaaaaaaaaaaa
nancygonz
I think this is the best Black Metal band of allll !!!!!