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
White
Borknagar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The empty room
White and unmarked,
though touched
With a sensible structure
Underneath the surface
Hiding in the corner of the eye
Or resting right outside the field of vision
No entrances or exits
Only bright light
Forming a shining empire
Of electrical impulses
Never to leave the premises
Never to be caught
Only sensed
(Lars A. Nedland, February 2005)
In Borknagar's "White," the singer is describing an empty white room that seems to be both empty and yet have a "sensible structure." The white room appears almost electric or otherworldly, with no clear way to get in or out. The singer suggests that something important is hiding just outside of the viewer's field of vision, like a secret or an unknown truth. The room, however, remains an enigma, with no clear way in or out, only electrical impulses that seem to form a "shining empire."
One interpretation of this song could be that the "white room" symbolizes a person's mind or consciousness. The room is described as having a "sensible structure," but also appears to be limitless, with no visible way in or out. This could represent how our consciousness feels both structured but also expansive and mysterious. The idea that something important is just outside of our sight also speaks to the idea that there is much we do not yet understand about our own minds.
Overall, "White" is a complex and introspective song that invites the listener to explore the mysteries of their own minds.
Line by Line Meaning
Again
Once more, as is often the case
The empty room
A space void of any matter or decoration
White and unmarked, though touched
Plain and unremarkable in appearance, despite having been possibly interacted with
With a sensible structure
Having an underlying organization or order
Underneath the surface
Beneath what is immediately apparent or visible
Hiding in the corner of the eye
Lurking just out of focus or attention
Or resting right outside the field of vision
Perhaps located just beyond what can be seen
No doors or windows
Lacking traditional entrances or exits
No entrances or exits
Absence of openings through which to enter or leave
Only bright light
The only illumination present
Forming a shining empire
Creating a powerful, radiant presence
Of electrical impulses
Composed of signals that transmit information
Never to leave the premises
Permanently affixed to the location
Never to be caught
Unable to be captured or held in place
Only sensed
Capable of being perceived, but not directly interacted with
Contributed by Caroline K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.