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)
Det Sorte
Kampfar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Der den åler seg fram
Verdens fyrste
Styggemann
Er beredt till å dø
Der den åler seg fram
Der den skjemmes I skam
Ved et opphør av livet
Der vi vemmes I skam
Der vi gremmes
Der vi blør
Under himmelens larm
Ved et opphør av livet
Der trer fristeren fram
Der vi gremmes
Der vi dør
Ved den inneste dør
Ved et opphør av livet
Under himmelens larm
Beredt til døden
Beredt for ham
Den gamle slanges skarpe tann
Der lødnens far vår styggemann
Står I giv akt med åpen favn
Ved et opphør av livet
Er beredt til å dø
Kom å ta meg styggemann
Jed er klar for din favn
Kom å ta meg styggemann
Jeg er klar for din favn
The lyrics to Kampfar's song "Det Sorte" depict a scene at the end of life, where the prince of the world, who is also a hideous man, is ready to die. This figure is compared to a serpent that crawls in shame, and a tempter who lures humans towards their demise. The song also portrays a sense of discomfort and shame in the face of death, where the dying and the living bleed and suffer under the roar of the heavens. The lyrics end with a call to death and the tempting figure of the prince/styggemann, where the singer is ready to surrender himself to his embrace.
Overall, "Det Sorte" presents an eerie and ominous atmosphere through its lyrics, using metaphors of death, serpents, and temptation. It suggests a sense of futility in the face of ultimate demise and the power of the "styggemann" that awaits us all. The song may speak to themes of mortality, dark spirituality, and existentialism.
Line by Line Meaning
Ved et opphør av livet
At the end of life
Der den åler seg fram
Where it wriggles forward
Verdens fyrste
The prince of the world
Styggemann
Ugly man
Er beredt till å dø
Is ready to die
Der den skjemmes I skam
Where it is ashamed
Der trer fristeren fram
There the tempter steps forward
Der vi vemmes I skam
Where we disgust ourselves in shame
Der vi gremmes
Where we are saddened
Der vi blør
Where we bleed
Under himmelens larm
Under the roar of heaven
Under himmelens larm
Under the roar of heaven
Der trer fristeren fram
There the tempter steps forward
Der vi gremmes
Where we are saddened
Der vi dør
Where we die
Ved den inneste dør
At the innermost door
Beredt til døden
Prepared for death
Beredt for ham
Prepared for him
Den gamle slanges skarpe tann
The old serpent's sharp tooth
Der lødnens far vår styggemann
Where the father of lies, our ugly man
Står I giv akt med åpen favn
Stands in attention with open arms
Kom å ta meg styggemann
Come and take me, ugly man
Jed er klar for din favn
I am ready for your embrace
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
toostrongtofail666
Just WOW!
I'm so in love with the whole Record, but this Song really blows my mind again and again and again. The melody of Dolk's Vocal part is so awesome. It sounds to me so full of pain, suffering and despair but with an unbreakable strength within it. The voice of a leader, a battle cry, a promise to survival... something like that... KAMPFAR is so unique and they still growing even bigger, what a band! Thank you for this album, i love it!!!
darwinism14
The last song of the set Kampfar played at Brutal Assault 2019. During Det Sorte the whole stage went under spell. Magic live show, the fans never stopped applauding in the end and the band tryoy appreciated. Lucky to been there right after Meshuggah.
Salicornia
YES, that show was mindblowing!!! perfect ending! especially considering that they lost their eqipment! LOVE this band!
QL MH
darwinism14 was worth the 23hr flight just for that show of the festival.
darwinism14
@QL MH
So glad someone else have been there in those moments. Unforgetable!
QL MH
darwinism14 agree, I walked away from that gig so blown away, my wife and I looked at each other multiple times without being able to speak. Truly their best song ever.
livermaiden
Amazing. What a great album and an awesome last song.
Alverto Alberto
I like KAMPFAR and metal music is a way of ART.
marcus wolf
Great song!
João Paulo Brites
Great song 🤘🤘 thanks🤘🤘 Portugal 🤘💪😈