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)
Dødens Vee
Kampfar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Når dagen er gått ned
Tro ei du alene
Ved lysets mørke fall
Tro ei du er ene
Ved dødens harde vee.
Du vet hvor jeg kommer
Du vet hvor jeg skal
Ved lysets mørke fall.
Tro ei du er ene
Ved Dødens harde vee.
Våre ben er skøre
Vårt liv er omme
Vi sjeleløst venter
På dommedags komme.
The lyrics to Kampfar's song Dødens Vee carry a strong sense of impending doom and stand as a reminder that one is never truly alone. The opening lines urge the listener not to believe they are the only one when darkness falls, nor to believe they are alone when light fades into shadow. The line "Ved dødens harde vee" (English: "At death's hard pain") indicates that the sense of isolation may be strongest in the face of hardship and pain.
The second verse reveals the source of the singer's comfort: a familiar presence who knows where they come from and where they will go. It is unclear whether this is meant to be a fellow human or a spiritual guide, but the implication is that there is someone who shares the burden of existence and the foreboding sense of final reckoning. The final verse speaks to the fragility of human life, and the sense of waiting that permeates all phases of our existence. The line "Vi sjeleløst venter på dommedags komme" (English: "Soullessly waiting for Judgment Day") suggests a fatalistic resignation to the end of things, and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
In essence, Dødens Vee is a meditation on the loneliness of the human condition, and the ways in which we can find solace and meaning in our connections to others, be they physical or spiritual. The references to death and judgment suggest that the singer is grappling with questions of mortality and the mystery of what lies beyond, but the tone is ultimately one of resigned acceptance rather than despair.
Line by Line Meaning
Tro ei du er ene
Do not believe that you are alone
Når dagen er gått ned
When the day has come to an end
Tro ei du alene
Do not believe that you are solitary
Ved lysets mørke fall
At the darkening of the light
Du vet hvor jeg kommer
You know where I come from
Du vet hvor jeg skal
You know where I'm headed
Ved lysets mørke fall
At the darkening of the light
Tro ei du er ene
Do not believe that you are alone
Ved Dødens harde vee
At the hard toll of Death
Våre ben er skøre
Our bones are fragile
Vårt liv er omme
Our lives are over
Vi sjeleløst venter
We wait soullessly
På dommedags komme
For the arrival of doomsday
Contributed by Maya K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Emil Skjold
That riff is simply the most catchiest folk riff ever done. My favourite on the album! Hail Kampfar, these Norse Pagans now how it's done!
JohnRineAlaska
this band may be the reason im gonna learn nowegian
Janosik
Not their best album, but surely underrated!
Brandon Munson
This one is my favorite
TrymVonTryll
this album is truly epic. Hails to Kampfar;)
Fenrir Yggdrasil
Awesome ! \m/
GENA BREZHNEV
EVERY ALBUMS IS VERY PROFESSIONAL VIKING BLACK METAL AWESOME AMAZING BAND VERY COOL
Armin Aslankhani
kampfar is the best in black metal
666Ekinox
Their last great album! sad that Jon left.
ubeenfranked
sick riff