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
To Mount And Rove
Borknagar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Carving shame on the tender shields
On my path I wandered high
Acknowledged beneath the sky
The hate I carried, recalling why!
I walked towards the rising Autumn
And cursed the Summer with the promise of Winter
Where my foes will quiver in frost
I came from the utter fields
Carving shame on the tender shields
On my path I wandered high
Declaring war beneath the sky
The hate I carried, boiling within!
I mounted all the hills my eyes could count
And roved wherever the sun escaped sight
I drifted from the deepest tarn
Til I saw my name in a runic sign
Graven so deep in the crystal bark
Of a lodge I sojourned years ago
Crying my fate beneath the sky!
The lyrics of Borknagar's song "To Mount and Rove" speak of a lone wanderer who has come from the utter fields and has since been carving shame on tender shields. The journey that the wanderer undertakes is one of self-discovery, and it is evident that he carries hate within him as he declares war beneath the sky. Despite his tumultuous journey, the wanderer acknowledges the beauty of nature as he walks toward the rising autumn, cursing summer with the promise of winter.
Throughout the song, the wanderer expresses his desire to conquer his foes who will quiver in frost. His journey is a circular saga that is not forever lost, and as he mounts all the hills he can count and roves wherever the sun escapes sight, he discovers a runic sign bearing his name. It is graven so deep in the crystal bark of a lodge where he has sojourned for years, crying his fate beneath the sky. The wanderer's journey of self-discovery ultimately leads him to his roots, and he embraces his fate with greater insight.
The lyrics of "To Mount and Rove" are incredibly introspective, and they highlight the importance of embarking on a journey of self-discovery. The wanderer's journey is one of introspection, and it serves to remind us that we can only conquer our demons by facing them head-on. The song's deeply introspective lyrics reinforce the message that we must acknowledge and confront our innermost fears and doubts before we can achieve inner peace.
Line by Line Meaning
I came from the utter fields
I began my journey from the remote and desolate lands
Carving shame on the tender shields
I defiled the weak and defenseless with my disgrace
On my path I wandered high
I traversed challenging terrain and climbed to great heights
Acknowledged beneath the sky
I sought approval from the heavens above
The hate I carried, recalling why!
I remembered the reason for my intense animosity
I walked towards the rising Autumn
I moved towards the beginning of the end, a time of waning life
And cursed the Summer with the promise of Winter
I condemned the time of abundance and warmth for its inevitable conclusion
Where my foes will quiver in frost
My enemies will suffer and tremble in the cold
A circeling saga, not forever lost
My epic tale is not yet finished, it shall continue on
Declaring war beneath the sky
I proclaimed my battle against my enemies under the open sky
The hate I carried, boiling within!
My intense hatred was still burning inside me
I mounted all the hills my eyes could count
I climbed every mountaintop within sight
And roved wherever the sun escaped sight
I journeyed to places beyond the reach of sunlight
I drifted from the deepest tarn
I strayed from the darkest and most obscure lakes
Til I saw my name in a runic sign
Until I discovered my identity written in ancient symbols
Graven so deep in the crystal bark
Etched deeply into the transparent tree bark
Of a lodge I sojourned years ago
In a cabin I had visited and stayed at for many years
Crying my fate beneath the sky!
Bemoaning my destiny under the vast canopy of the heavens
Lyrics © Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
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