After releasing a demo in 1995, their first release was the self-titled EP Kampfar, by Season of Mist in 1996 followed by full length Mellom skogkledde aaser by Malicious Records in 1997. Being a studio band, without spending time on live shows or tours and with no intentions to slow down they released another EP Norse in 1998, and full length Fra underverdenen in 1999 both on Hammerheart Records. Then there were 7 years of studio silence although they began to play their first live shows in 2004.
Signing to Napalm records, they released three full length albums on that label: Kvass (2006), Heimgang (2008), & Mare (2011). All were well received by critics and listeners alike. Thus completed their contract with Napalm.
Their next releases were two singles leading up to their sixth full length album, 2014's Djevelmakt released by Indie Recordings.
Members:
Dolk - Vocals (also drums from '94-'03) (Mock, ex-Gruesome)
Ask (as II13) - Drums, Vocals (ex-Graven Image, ex-Mondvolland, others)
Jon - Bass (Fester, ex-Carpathian Full Moon, ex-Gruesome, many others)
Ole Hartvigsen - Guitars, (ex-Utumno now called Emancer, Mistur)
Ex-members:
Thomas Andreassen - Guitars (also bass from '94-'03)
Altergang
Kampfar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hшres stemmer gjennom natt
I altergang mot lyset
I den bleke dunkle natt
Nеr mеnen skinner kald og blek
I den svarte natt
Den sorte dшden hersker
Over blod og liv og dшd
I altergang mot lyset
Hшres stemmer gjennom natt
Nеr mеnen skinner kald og blek
I den sorte natt
Den sorte dшden hersker
Over blod og liv og dшd
I altergang mot lyset
Der hvor mеnen skinner rшd
In Kampfar's song Altergang, the lyrics describe a journey through darkness and towards the light. The first stanza presents a scene of voices echoing through the night, while the singer is walking towards the light in an "altergang." This word means "procession towards the altar" and suggests a spiritual or religious journey. The moon is present but its light is pale and cold. The second stanza repeats the previous lines, emphasizing the idea of a continuous journey towards the light. Here, the moon has turned red, suggesting a change or a new phase.
Overall, the lyrics suggest a journey through darkness, fear, and death towards hope and enlightenment. The black death is mentioned, which is a possible reference to the bubonic plague that ravaged Europe in the 14th century. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the struggles and challenges of life, and the need to find meaning and purpose in such difficult times. The use of a religious word like "altergang" reinforces the idea of a spiritual quest, and the red moon could symbolize a moment of transformation or enlightenment.
Line by Line Meaning
Under mшrkets bue
Under the darkness of the arch
Hшres stemmer gjennom natt
Voices are heard through the night
I altergang mot lyset
In procession towards the light
I den bleke dunkle natt
In the pale dark night
Nеr mеnen skinner kald og blek
When the moon shines cold and pale
I den svarte natt
In the black night
Den sorte dшden hersker
The black death reigns
Over blod og liv og dшd
Over blood and life and death
I altergang mot lyset
In procession towards the light
Hшres stemmer gjennom natt
Voices are heard through the night
Nеr mеnen skinner kald og blek
When the moon shines cold and pale
I den sorte natt
In the black night
Den sorte dшden hersker
The black death reigns
Over blod og liv og dшd
Over blood and life and death
I altergang mot lyset
In procession towards the light
Der hvor mеnen skinner rшd
Where the moon shines red
Contributed by Katherine D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.