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
Roots
Borknagar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
beyond the verge of space
The erodent roots, the evolving loops
thrusts, yet free roaming
There is a horizon folded
blinding leaves of the universe
Throughout the inner core
Where the seeds recoil and return
where the potency explodes to burn
Where the roots weave into the branches
where dimensions blend into infinity
Where the seeds recoil and return
where the potency explodes to burn
There is a path running free
quintessential chemistry
Where the rivers recoil and return
fallen stars explode and burn
The branches reach into eternity
beyond the verge of stellar time
The evolving tree, the revolving spree
anchored in me means floating free
No time, no space can ever be
my hive, my home
I belong beyond the stellar dome
Blinding leaves of the universe
The lyrics for Borknagar's song "Roots" delve into the idea of a connection between an individual and the universe. The roots mentioned in the lyrics refer to the metaphorical roots of the individual, reaching into the depths of the universe and beyond. The roots are constantly evolving and adapting, free to explore and roam, as they seek out knowledge and understanding of the world. The horizon mentioned represents the limitless potential of the universe, with the universe acting as a metaphorical tree, anchoring and supporting the individual as they explore and expand their understanding.
The lyrics also express the idea of the cyclical nature of growth and evolution, with the seeds mentioned returning and recoiling to start anew. Similar to roots growing and branching out, the branches of the universe reach out into eternity, constantly revolving and evolving. The lyrics suggest that the individual is anchored within this universe, yet also free to roam and explore without limitations of time and space. The mention of fallen stars exploding and burning adds to the idea of the universe being a constantly dynamic force, with new possibilities and opportunities always arising.
Overall, the song "Roots" explores the idea of a connection between each individual and the greater forces of the universe through metaphorical imagery of roots and branches reaching, evolving, and growing into the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Line by Line Meaning
The roots thrust – into oblivion
The roots push into the unknown, into a place beyond existence
beyond the verge of space
Beyond the boundaries of the physical world
The erodent roots, the evolving loops
The roots that wear away at the world, the ever-changing coils
thrusts, yet free roaming
Expanding outward, yet free to explore
There is a horizon folded
A limit that is hidden from view
blinding leaves of the universe
Wondrous and powerful elements of the universe that are beyond understanding
Throughout the inner core
Within the essence of being
my quest, my lore
My search for knowledge, my personal journey
Where the seeds recoil and return
Where things come full circle, where creation begins anew
where the potency explodes to burn
Where potential is realized, and energy is released
Where the roots weave into the branches
Where the beginning and the end entwine
where dimensions blend into infinity
A place where all concepts blur and disappear
There is a path running free
A direction that is open, unobstructed
quintessential chemistry
The essential elements that make up everything
Where the rivers recoil and return
Where the flow of time and space renews itself
fallen stars explode and burn
The cycle of destruction and creation, of death and life
The branches reach into eternity
The extension of existence into forever
beyond the verge of stellar time
Past the limits of celestial time
The evolving tree, the revolving spree
The growing and ever-changing entity, the endless cycle
anchored in me means floating free
Grounded in oneself, yet free from worldly constraints
No time, no space can ever be
There are no true limits to existence
my hive, my home
A place of belonging, a place of kinship
I belong beyond the stellar dome
I belong to a place outside of this physical world
Contributed by Camden N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jesus Malanco
2. Roots
The roots thrust – into oblivion
beyond the verge of space
The erodent roots, the evolving loops
thrusts, yet free roaming
There is a horizon folded
blinding leaves of the universe
Throughout the inner core
my quest, my lore
Where the seeds recoil and return
where the potency explodes to burn
Where the roots weave into the branches
where dimensions blend into infinity
Where the seeds recoil and return
where the potency explodes to burn
There is a path running free
quintessential chemistry
Where the rivers recoil and return
fallen stars explode and burn
The branches reach into eternity
beyond the verge of stellar time
The evolving tree, the revolving spree
anchored in me means floating free
No time, no space can ever be
my hive, my home
I belong beyond the stellar dome
Blinding leaves of the universe
asator777
one of the best albums from Borknagar! can't stop listening to it and Vortex's voice is amazing as ever! love it
schink24
This band has already been further than you could hope to achieve, both with Borknagar and in the other works of its members
Dakaorkdaka
Haven't listened to Borknagar in years, I will admit I made a huge mistake. This album shall be beautiful; you can count on my patronage.
Mike Kiske
Since the first time I listened the album I tought that Epochalypse would be the working song, but Roots is "easier understandable". And you guys Vortex's whores, don't forget that Vinter is in it too, he is so talented as ICS is. Their's duets just had made a new standard for avant gard extreme music. I can't stop listening this album. Borknagar please come to Brazil with Fission and Vintersorg as well. :o)
Angel Bastida Morante
impresionante banda, me gustan todos sus discos, trasmiten un atmósfera única, geniales!!
Alfredo Villanueva
Son genios ! Totales
quilmesdave jeje
+Angel Bastida Morante Lo mismo digo. Ni un solo cd de ellos, es cuestionable.Desde el principio, que eran straight black metal, hasta lo que son hoy. Me encantan!
96thedragonslayer
Urd is shaping up to be the best album of 2012.
francyeudes -
Rapaz Andreas faz falta demais na banda pqp
Vince Lesniewski
Haven't listened to these guys in awhile, glad I clicked the video. They sound just as good as they did when I was in high school.