Borknagar

Graspop! Wow! We truly had a blast!!! 🤘 #graspopmetalmeeting #borknagar #larsarenedland #icsvortex #oysteinbrun #josteinthomassen #bjørnrønnow

Borknagar

BORKNAGAR reveal cover and release date of new album “True North” Extend deal with Century Media Records The upcoming album by Norway’s avant-garde Metallers BORKNAGAR, entitled “True North”, will be released by Century Media Records/SonyMusic on September 27th, 2019. Following up 2016’s acclaimed “Winter Thrice” release, the new BORKNAGAR effort has once again been mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. BORKNAGAR founder and guitarist Øystein G. Brun comments: “This has indeed been a thunderous ride, and we are truly excited to finally start revealing some news about our upcoming album. We have spent almost 2 years writing, recording and producing ”True North” and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved this time around. On behalf of the whole band, I can firmly say that we have pushed the limits of our musical exploration, while our musical roots have grown even deeper into the northern ground. This is the most diverse, powerful and grandiose BORKNAGAR album to date! Let there be no doubt! Yet again we have been working with Thor Erik Dullum and Marcelo Vasco Arts for cover and layout design. From the very beginning of the process, we wanted this album to have a very clear, crisp and organic cover that spearheads the cold and northern essence of the album. So what could be more natural than basing it on our very own Nordic surroundings? Furthermore, we are also very happy to reveal that we have extended our deal with Century Media Records. Onwards!” BORKNAGAR live: 22.06.2019 Dessel (Belgium) – Graspop Metal Meeting 15.08.2019 Falun (Sweden) – Sabaton Open Air 06.12.2019 Madrid (Spain) – Madrid Is The Dark And more to come... BORKNAGAR line-up: (from left to right) Øystein G. Brun – Clean and Electric Guitars Lars A. Nedland – Keys and Vocals ICS Vortex – Bass and Vocals Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow – Drums Jostein Thomassen – Lead Guitars Photo by Jørn Veberg #borknagar #truenorth #centurymediarecords #jørnveberg #marcelovascoarts #icsvortex #larsarenedland #oysteinbrun #josteinthomassen #bjørnrønnow

BORKNAGAR 2019 Photo by Jørn Veberg

We have some awesome news coming up next week!🤘 In the meantime, here is a couple pix from our show at Maryland Deathfest 2019, about two weeks ago! 🤘 Photo cred: Hillarie Jason #hillariejason #marylanddeathfest2019 #oysteinbrun #larsarenedland #icsvortex #josteinthomassen #bjørnrønnow #espguitars #positivegrid #newborknagaralbum #centurymediarecords

Baltimore, what a wonderful night! We certainly had a blast! Thank you for making our return to USA a night to remember for a long time! We will be back!! 🤘 #marylanddeathfest2019 #20winterssincelasttime Photo cred: Deathfests.com

In exactly 1 week from today we are on our way over the pond to do Maryland Deathfest 2019! Were so much looking forward, 20 yrs since last time we played on US soil. To mark the event we've made an exclusive shirt design, delivered by our official merchandiser Kings Road Merch Design by Marcelo Vasco Arts Hope to see you all there, let's make it memorable! 🤘 #marylanddeathfest2019 #kingsroadmerch #talentnation

Next up: Maryland Deathfest 2019! 20 winters since last time we roved the American soil. We are so much looking forward!🤘 See you all at 25th of May 2019! #borknagar #marylanddeathfest #talentnation #letsmakeamericarockagain #icsvortex #larsarenedland #oysteinbrun #josteinthomassen #bjørnrønnow

After close to 2 years of hiatus in terms of live activities, it was just lovely to get back on stage! Ragnarök Festival 2019 was a blast-as always! Thanks allot to by Danny Jakesch @ trabi for this awesome picture. The very first with the new line up. Cheers! 🍻🙌 #borknagar #ragnarokfestival #metaltrabi #icsvortex #larsarenedland #oysteinbrun #josteinthomassen #bjørnrønnow

Thank you Germany! We had a blast playing the Ragnarök Festival 2019!! #borknagar #ragnarokfestival #stagekult #robsherredsound #audixmics #espguitars #positivegridbias #larsarenedland #icsvortex #oysteinbrun #josteinthomassen #bjørnrønnow

Awesome rehearsals over the weekend, preparing for upcoming shows! We would like to thank James and the rest of the team at #positivegrid for endorsing us and providing outstanding weaponry for the upcoming adventures. The Bias head mini is damn easy to use, awesome to play and sounds incredible! 🤘 #borknagar #positivegrid #positivegridbias #oysteinbrun #josteinthomassen #icsvortex #larsarenedland #bjørnrønnow #newborknagaralbum #centurymediarecords

This happened! Hope to see you all at the Madrid is the Dark festival in December! Cheers! #borknagar #icsvortex #larsarenedland #oysteinbrun #bjørnrønnow #josteinthomassen #madridisthedark #stagekult

AND JUSTICE FOR ART- VOL 2 The new book "And Justice For Art - Volume 2: Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers" features a chapter about Borknagar's debut album cover and a exclusive interview with Øystein G. Brun. This book features 254 color pages, more than 400 graphics and 100 interviews. It's exclusively available at: https://andjusticeforart.bigcartel.com/product/and-justice-for-art-stories-about-heavy-metal-album-covers-volume-2

BORKNAGAR WELCOMES NEW GUITARIST JOSTEIN THOMASSEN Borknagar welcomes Jostein Thomassen as new guitarist in the band, replacing former guitarist Jens F. Ryland. Jostein is a very experienced and extremely skilled guitarist from Notodden, also known for his work with bands such as Profane Burial, Viper Solfa, Fracture, Source of Tide. Jostein has been a part of the recording process of the upcoming album. Øystein G. Brun comments; "I am extremely happy to get a new axeman at my side, and it has been a pleasure to learn to know Jostein both as a person and as a musician. We have already rehearsed quite some together this winter, but also worked intensely here in my Crosound Studio to record guitars for the upcoming album. I am truly amazed by the level of professionalism and dedication Jostein has shown throughout the process. And I stand in awe for his crispy clear tone, precision and beautiful feel as a guitarist. Onward mate! " Jostein Thomassen comments; "Borknagar’s music is a perfect match for my musical taste and playing style. Melodic, raw and challenging. I'm honoured to be a part of the band and look much forward to share the stage with allof them for the upcoming gigs. The last months work together with Øystein, with both new and older songs, have been rewarding as a guitarist, learning new ways of musical thinking. His sharp sense of details in musical compositions, sound and chord progressions truly makes the Borknagar sound unique! Watch out... amazing release ahead!" On another note, BORKNAGAR just recently finished recording the upcoming album. The album is currently being mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios as we speak. More updates will follow shortly. Cheers! #borknagar #icsvortex #larsarenedland #oysteinbrun #newborknagaralbum

NEW ALBUM FINISHED! Yesterday we finished the recording of the upcoming album. Next step is mix and mastering with Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. We have all invested so much time, effort and heart into this album. We can't wait to get this one out to all of you! Cheers! 🍻 #icsvortex #larsarenedland #oysteinbrun #borknagar

Happy birthday to the one and only, Mr Vortex! Skoal! 🍻

ANDREAS "VINTERSORG" HEDLUND STEPS DOWN AS THE LEAD VOCALIST OF BORKNAGAR Due to personal reasons, Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund has decided to step down as the lead vocalist of BORKNAGAR. The decision is based on mutual understanding, respect and in a friendly manner with the rest of the band. BORKNAGAR would like to express their sincere gratitude for the musical brotherhood we have shared throughout the years and wish Andreas the very best in his future endeavours. There is no drama to this situation, and our friendship will remain. No one should be too surprised if "Vintersorg" reappears as a guest vocalist on a future record. As a natural consequence, I.C.S Vortex will take a step forward into the role as the band´s lead vocalist, and will, together with Lars Nedland, carry on BORKNAGARs legacy of vocal brilliance. Øystein G. Brun comments: "It is with a lot of respect, gratitude and good memories I see one of my brothers in music set sails for new shores. Times are changing, and we both saw this coming for a while. Even though we are splitting as partners in BORKNAGAR, I am happy to say that we have decided to carry on our musical brotherhood in Cronian (Official). A new album will be released whenever time allows for that." Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund comments ”Time has come to make some tough decisions and let reality set the rules. It is with both a light and heavy heart I leave Borknagar as the lead vocalist. The light part is that it´s done in an amicable way and that this is the right thing to do for me, in respect for the fans and Borknagar. The heavy part is that it’s hard to leave something this meaningful and beautiful. My situation after the accident makes it hard to tour, and my job situation complicates things further. So in a way I’m not ”leaving” as such, it’s more like I’m putting some oil into the Borknagar machinery so the band can keep their busy schedule, get out on the road and meet you guys. Borknagar will always have a special place in my heart and mind, and I hope that I can do some guest performances further down the road. The guys in the band are fantastic musicians and persons and I wish them the best of luck. However, Cronian is not dead and may shake its head before you know it.” BORKNAGAR is currently in the final stages of recording their eleventh album. It will be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio closer this spring. An official release date will be dropped in a not so distant future.

In the final stages of recording our new album! Great session with #icsvortex #larsarenedland #crosoundstudio #oysteinbrun #borknagar #centurymedia

ICS Vortex recording bass for the upcoming album. Thunderous and tasty!🤘 #newborknagaralbum #centurymediarecords

Guitar session part II, finalizing leads and solos together with our new axeman. Stellar!! #newborknagaralbum #crosoundstudio #centurymediarecords #espguitars #positivegridbias

BORKNAGAR RECORDING NEW ALBUM AND ADD NEW DRUMMER BJØRN DUGSTAD RØNNOW! Norway’s avant-garde Metallers BORKNAGAR are finally back in the studio in order to record their 11th album, following up 2016’s acclaimed “Winter Thrice” release. The new album will be once again mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio (Opeth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, etc.) in March 2019 and is expected for a worldwide release via Century Media Records in fall of 2019. The upcoming album will also be the first to feature new drummer Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow replacing Baard Kolstad, who has announced to be leaving the group in good friendship due to busy schedules, heavy touring and various other musical commitments. Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow has already recorded drums for the upcoming BORKNAGAR album at Strand Studio in Oslo and can be seen pictured above together with BORKNAGAR mainman Oystein G. Brun. Øystein G. Brun comments: “So, again, we are about to set sail for new musical adventures. The horizon certainly looks broader, higher and shimmers even deeper than before. We are all extremely excited about this new album and the material therein. The album derives as a natural continuation from Winter Thrice, but we’ll take a huge leap forward as well. In all facets, that is. Baard leaving the band has been known to the band for quite some while, so absolutely no drama in regards to his departure. I am truly happy for the time we shared on and off stage over the past years and wish him nothing but the best for future to come. His future is indeed bright, the young man is already a legend! Who is the new drummer? His name is Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow and has proven to be a stunning drummer. No wonder Baard hooked us up. A few months ago, we had our first rehearsal and during the past week, we recorded the drums for the new album at Strand studio in Oslo together with engineer Marius Strand. The recording session turned out stellar. I am deeply impressed by the level of professionalism, dedication and sweaty efforts Bjørn put into this album. A drummer of world class. Mark my words. Last but not least we are stoked to once again be able to work with Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio. We will spend the next months doing the remaining recordings in various studios and eventually do the mix/master of the album at Fascination Street Studio in March 2019. This will be grandiose, in so many ways! More information will follow shortly.” Baard Kolstad comments: “With lots of different ambitious musical projects and bands at the same time, I kind of always knew that it would come a time where I had to set some priorities. There's nothing but good memories and great experiences and valuable moments from the time I had with BORKNAGAR. My first step into the professional rock and metal world! I already look forward to follow BORKNAGAR closely in the time to come, something I know I will, as I'm good friends with all members, last but not least the new drummer and roomie Bjørn Dugstad! He was strongly recommended by myself to be the new BORKNAGAR drummer, and I'm so happy on behalf of both him and BORKNAGAR that they ended up choosing him! Because we only made one record in the time I was a member of BORK, it was not an easy decision to choose to not join this one as the last chapter of this journey, but again, priorities for my own bands had to lead my decision and I know it would be a perfect kick start for a new drummer to feel connected with the material in the tours to come etc. I wish them all good times to come and can't wait to follow them further from the side!“ Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow comments: "I'm honoured to take over the torch after my good friend Baard in this legendary band. It's already been an absolute pleasure working on and recording the upcoming album and I'm sure we'll have a blast out on the road in 2019. I can't wait to hit the stage with these guys!" BORKNAGAR live shows announced so far for 2019 are as follows: BORKNAGAR live 2019 26.-27.04.2019 Lichtenfels (Germany) – Ragnarök Festival 25.05.2019 Baltimore, MD (USA) – Maryland Deathfest 21.-23.06.2019 Dessel (Belgium) – Graspop Metal Meeting 14.-17.08.2019 Falun (Sweden) – Sabaton Open Air More dates to be announced soon...

Sweden! See you next summer @sabatonopenair! Cheers! 🍻

The tape is rolling! #newalbum #borknagar #centurymediarecords

ATTENTION US CITIZEN! From today and thru next Monday @kingsroadmerch in US ship everything for free. Check out the official Borknagar store: http://kr-m.co/borknagar And hey, don't miss the chance to get hold of a bottle of our highly exclusive beard oil. Very few left in stock! #borknagar #kingsroadmerch #centurymediarecords #blackfriday

This happend! Will be awesome, hope to see all of you there! #gmm19 #stagekult #espguitars #englamps