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)
Syndefall
Kampfar Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blir verden skapt
Våre føtter blir gullbelagt
Der mørket sluker alt
I Dødens slakt
Der slukes lyset bitterkaldt
Der er det øde
Føtter skinner I all sin prakt
Gull og glitter viser makt
Der mørket sluker alt
I Dødens slakt
Der slukes lyset bitterkaldt
Der er det øde
Der biter alt
Der viser gull og glitter makt
Der mørket sluker alt
Der menn har falt
Der separeres lysets kraft
Der alt er ødelagt
Ved mørket makt
Der reises det en dunkel kraft
I et klaprende bitetak blir verden
Skapt
Og våre føtter gullbelagt
Der er det ødelagt
Det er det kaldt
Der visnes gull og glitters prakt
Det som ble til I ham var døden
Det som ble skapt var dødens lys
Der føtter tråkker I dyp gjørme
Der mørket sluker solens lys
Der ble det skapt med splittet
Tunge
Der blir det slakt
Der blir det slukt
The song "Syndefall" by Kampfar opens with the line "With a split tongue, the world is created / Our feet are gold plated." This seems to suggest that the world is created with a sense of duality, represented by the split tongue and perhaps the gilded feet, which symbolize a worldly kind of power or authority. The following lines describe a place where darkness consumes everything and light is swallowed bitterly. The landscape is barren and everything is biting, suggesting a place of strife and chaos.
The imagery of gilded feet and glittering power contrasts with the bleakness of the surroundings. The repetition of the phrase "where darkness consumes everything" suggests a kind of apocalyptic wasteland. The next stanza introduces the idea of separation between light and darkness, suggesting that there is some kind of battle between the two. The final stanza brings up death, stating that what was created in death was death's light. This suggests that even the power and glitter of the world is ultimately futile or temporary.
Line by Line Meaning
Med splittet tunge
With a divided tongue
Blir verden skapt
The world is created
Våre føtter blir gullbelagt
Our feet become gold-plated
Der mørket sluker alt
Where darkness consumes everything
I Dødens slakt
In the slaughter of death
Der slukes lyset bitterkaldt
Where the light is swallowed bitterly cold
Der er det øde
It is barren there
Der biter alt
Everything bites there
Føtter skinner I all sin prakt
Feet shine in all their splendor
Gull og glitter viser makt
Gold and glitter show power
Der menn har falt
Where men have fallen
Der separeres lysets kraft
Where the power of light is separated
Der alt er ødelagt
Where everything is destroyed
Ved mørket makt
By the power of darkness
Der reises det en dunkel kraft
A dark force is raised there
I et klaprende bitetak blir verden
In a rattling bite hold, the world is created
Skapt
Created
Det er det kaldt
It is cold there
Der visnes gull og glitters prakt
Where gold and glitter wither in their glory
Det som ble til I ham var døden
What became of him was death
Det som ble skapt var dødens lys
What was created was the light of death
Der føtter tråkker I dyp gjørme
Where feet tread deep mud
Der mørket sluker solens lys
Where darkness swallows the sun's light
Der ble det skapt med splittet
There it was created with a divided
Tunge
Tongue
Der blir det slakt
There it is slaughtered
Der blir det slukt
There it is swallowed
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NeKronos Promotion HELL
Another fine example of one of the best Norwegian Black Metal bands out there!!! Kampfar never stop surprising their adepts with their art!
toostrongtofail666
Although Kampfar have always been very good, with every new album they prove that they are always hungry for more and that they never seem to run out of ideas. They really are one of the hottest irons in the forge of Norwegian Black Metal, and they have been for years, reliable and also an unbelievable live band. I immediately buy EVERY album and there is always something new to discover even after weeks. Simply magical! Mega cool band!
Shawn
Kampfar deliver again this will be a great addition to their discography!
Martin Gardner
Drummer is a beast.
Kevin Murillo
Such a great tune! I thank Google Play for recommending me Kampfar. 🤘
BakaOuji
pure cold and norwegian black metal.
Kelvin Niphilim666
epic
Martin Gardner
Cover looks like a bit of an homage to Emperor.
0xG
My tomb just got a bit colder.
daisbest_obs
Aleister Black