Borknagar β Borknagar
- intothewellsabyss
- Aug 3, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 4, 2023
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August 3, 1996 β Borknagar released their debut full-length studio album, Borknagar via Malicious Records. (Apple Music or Spotify)
Background:
Borknagar was founded by Γystein Brun, then a member of the Norwegian Death Metal band Molested, when he became tired of the brutal aspects of the band's music.
Γystein formed Borknagar to explore a more melodic outlet of expression, inspired by the burgeoning Black Metal movement Norway was experiencing and looking to push the boundaries of what was considered "πππππππππππ" Black Metal music.
He wrote all of the music and lyrics and gathered together an all-star group of Black Metal musicians to play in his band, such as Infernus of Gorgoroth, Grim of Immortal and Gorgoroth and Ivar BjΓΈrnson of Enslaved.
(Γystein Brun, Garm, Infernus, Ivar BjΓΈrnson, Erik βGrimβ BrΓΈdreskift - Borknagar, 1996)
When Garm of Ulver, Head Control System and Arcturus joined the project, it brought the band immediate attention. The band never even recorded a demo; they simply asked for a record contract on Malicious Records and were granted their request based on the strength of this lineup.
The band then recorded and released their self-titled debut album in August 1996. It is Borknagarβs only album to feature lyrics in the Norwegian language and their only album to feature Roger "Infernus" Tiegs on bass guitar (who reportedly recorded all his bass parts in a single day). The album was recorded at Grieghallen Studios (frequented by other Black Metal bands such as Burzum, Emperor and Gorgoroth).
The album features a more straightforward Black/Viking Metal approach (featuring heavy riffs, blasting tempos and an emphasis on harsh vocals) as opposed to the band's now trademark Progressive/Folk sound they would hint at on their next album, The Olden Domain.
In 1999, Erik βGrimβ BrΓΈdreskift committed suicide using sleeping pills.
R.I.P. Erik βGrimβ BrΓΈdreskift (December 23, 1969 - October 4, 1099).
Critical Reception:
Borknagar's music instantly gained fans and received positive press attention.
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, William
York stated;
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Notice: Any reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. β E.N. Wells
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