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)
Antvort
Kampfar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trolleri og voldsmagi.
Prosesser av sort magi
Svir demoner til evig tid.
Bedrag av overtroisk kunst
Bedrag av overnaturlig kraft
Bedrag av den sorte makt
Ilden svir mellom svart og hvit
Klorer seg fast mellom hat og svik
Prosesser av sort magi
Svir demoner til evig tid
Tufsende og klodd i sort
Rives av negler som fører oss bort
Bort.
Haugfolk, hekser, vetter og demoner
Svartebok, trollfolk, hulder og nøkk.
The lyrics of Kampfar's song Antvort are a dark and foreboding description of the power of black magic and the dangers of dabbling in the supernatural. The first two lines reference death and destruction, suggesting that there are serious consequences for those who engage in magic and violence. The next two lines describe processes of black magic that torture demons for all eternity. The repetition of the phrase "bedrag" (deception) highlights the idea that dark magic is a form of deception and illusion, leading the practitioners and their victims astray.
The second half of the song takes on a more aggressive tone, with a description of a battle between black and white (good and evil) and the claws of hatred and betrayal that grip the combatants. The line "tufsende og klodd i sort" is difficult to translate, but it seems to refer to the chaos and confusion of the battle. The final lines mention a variety of supernatural beings, from haugfolk (spirits of the dead) and hekser (witches) to hulder (forest spirits) and nøkk (water spirits), suggesting that the world of black magic is populated by a wide variety of creatures with their own powers and agendas.
Line by Line Meaning
Dødningbein og skadevold
Dead bones and harm-causing mischief
Trolleri og voldsmagi.
Magic tricks and violent magic.
Prosesser av sort magi
Processes of dark magic
Svir demoner til evig tid.
Burning demons for eternity.
Bedrag av overtroisk kunst
Deception of superstitious art
Bedrag av overnaturlig kraft
Deception of supernatural power
Bedrag av den sorte makt
Deception of the dark power
Bedrag.
Deception.
Ilden svir mellom svart og hvit
The fire burns between black and white
Klorer seg fast mellom hat og svik
Claws itself fast between hatred and betrayal
Tufsende og klodd i sort
Tumbling and clumsy in black
Rives av negler som fører oss bort
Torn by nails that lead us away
Bort.
Away.
Haugfolk, hekser, vetter og demoner
Trolls, witches, sprites, and demons
Svartebok, trollfolk, hulder og nøkk.
Black magic book, goblin folks, beings from folklore, and river spirits.
Contributed by Chase T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.