Black metal pioneers Borknagar have just released their 25th anniversary re-issue of their self-titled debut album worldwide today via the band’s longtime label partner Century Media Records. To celebrate the release, the band have released a new visualizer clip for their track “Dauden (Remaster 2021)”, which was created by Wanderley Perna / W Designer. The band will be on tour all of 2022 including supporting Rotting Christ, with Wolfheart & Abigail Williams and one more band TBD for the “Devastation Of The Nation” – North American Tour next spring! Check out the visualizer clip now!
https://borknagar.lnk.to/Borknagar25thAnniversaryRe-Issue2021
Borknagar founder and mastermind Øystein G. Brun states, “If there is one song that has shaped my sound and inspired my career as a musician that is “Dauden”. Even though this was not the first song written for the debut, “Dauden” was the first song I carved out on my, then newly bought, Fostex multitrack recorder. This opened a new world to me, to be able to sit in solitude and work out layers of guitar arrangements without the typical fuzz and chaos of a rehearsal room. I still remember the grandiose feeling of musical excitement when the mid-section of this song fell into place. A notion that music can derive from “nothing” to become an entity bigger than life. This exact notion has kept my flame burning throughout all these years. Furthermore, when first talking with Kristoffer “Garm” Rygg about him doing the vocals and joining the band, “Dauden” was the song we were talking about, this was the musical trigger so to speak. He was seriously into this song. And I can clearly remember as if it was yesterday, Garm dancing around in studio in awe doing choirs. There was something magical about this one…And still is!”
Øystein G. Brun adds, “Throughout the years I have received countless requests for a re-release of this album…but because this album represents such a personal and treacherous part of my life, I wanted it to be done with dignity. And here we are: This is the definitive re-release of the debut album of Borknagar. This release contains a genuine re-master of the debut album, based on the original mix tapes. This has been done with the uttermost care and love by yours sincerely to maintain the original sound and flavour of the album, and solely to improve the listening experience. Working on this re-release has been an emotional ride. While always maintaining a good feeling about the project it has been times of frustration and technical obstacles. Hours has been spent finding and compiling old pictures, dealing with tapes and equipment that has not been played or used in over 25 years. But now it is done, and I hope you all enjoy and appreciate this release as much as I do.”
Check out our career-spanning interview with Øystein G. Brun:
PODCAST: Episode 50: Øystein G. Brun of Borknagar Talks Longevity and “True North”
Initially released in 1996, Borknagar saw Øystein G. Brun recruiting a phenomenal cast of like-minded musicians, such as Garm (Ulver, ex Arcturus) doing the vocals, drummer Grim (ex-Immortal, Gorgoroth and Ancient), Ivar Bjørnson (Enslaved) on keyboards and bassist Infernus (Gorgoroth), to enter the notorious halls of Grieghallen Studios with the goal of rupturing the peripheries of what was then deemed “traditional” Black Metal.
The new deluxe edition of the album, entitled Borknagar (25th Anniversary Re-issue 2021), marks the definitive version of this pioneering Norwegian Metal classic, and includes a careful remaster of the 10 track LP courtesy of Øystein G. Brun, a makeover for the original artwork, profound liner notes, exclusive photos and a bonus disc full of previously unheard material from the band vaults. The limited Digipak 2CD (with 12 bonus tracks / 60 min.) and the limited Gatefold 2LP on 180g black vinyl (with 8 bonus tracks / 37 min.) can be ordered HERE.
Borknagar (25th Anniversary Re-issue 2021) Digipak 2CD Digipak & Digital Album tracklisting:
CD 1 – “Borknagar (Remaster 2021)” (44:47):
- Vintervredets Sjelesagn (Remaster 2021) (06:47)
- Tanker mot Tind – Kvelding (Remaster 2021) (03:43)
- Svartskogs Gilde (Remaster 2021) (05:52)
- Ved Steingard (Remaster 2021) (02:18)
- Krigsstev (Remaster 2021) (02:02)
- Dauden (Remaster 2021) (05:49)
- Grimskalle Trell (Remaster 2021) (05:39)
- Nord Naagauk (Remaster 2021) (03:07)
- Fandens Allheim (Remaster 2021) (06:22)
- Tanker mot Tind – Gryning (Remaster 2021) (03:01)
CD 2 – “Borknagar (25th Anniversary Bonus Material)” (60:17):
- Vintervredets Sjelesagn (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (06:46)
- Svartskogs Gilde (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:51)
- Krigsstev (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (02:02)
- Dauden (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:51)
- Grimskalle Trell (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:45)
- Fandens Allheim (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:53)
- Ved Steingard (Alternate Mix) (02:13)
- Nord Naagauk (Alternate Mix) (03:28)
- Vintervredets Sjelesagn (Rehearsal 1994) (06:59)
- Grimskalle Trell (Rehearsal 1994) (06:14)
- Ved Steingard (First ever recording 1994) (02:18)
- Vintervredets Sjelesagn (Alternate Mix) (06:49)
“Borknagar (25th Anniversary Re-issue 2021)” – Gatefold 2LP:
LP 1 – “Borknagar (Remaster 2021)” (44:45):
Side A (20:43):
- Vintervredets Sjelesagn (Remaster 2021) (06:47)
- Tanker mot Tind – Kvelding (Remaster 2021) (03:43)
- Svartskogs Gilde (Remaster 2021) (05:52)
- Ved Steingard (Remaster 2021) (02:18)
- Krigsstev (Remaster 2021) (02:02)
Side B (24:01):
- Dauden (Remaster 2021) (05:49)
- Grimskalle Trell (Remaster 2021) (05:39)
- Nord Naagauk (Remaster 2021) (03:07)
- Fandens Allheim (Remaster 2021) (06:22)
- Tanker mot Tind – Gryning (Remaster 2021) (03:01)
LP 2 – “Borknagar (25th Anniversary Bonus Material)” (37:35):
Side C (20:31):
- Vintervredets Sjelesagn (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (06:46)
- Svartskogs Gilde (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:51)
- Krigsstev (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (02:02)
- Dauden (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:51)
Side D (17:03):
- Grimskalle Trell (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:45)
- Fandens Allheim (Live Session at Grieghallen Studios 1995) (05:53)
- Ved Steingard (Alternate Mix) (02:13)
- Nord Naagauk (Alternate Mix) (03:10)
Borknagar have unfortunately been forced to cancel their previously announced European headlining run with support by SAOR and Cân Bardd, initially scheduled to happen in November-December 2021. However, Borknagar have announced a re-scheduled routing for their long overdue return to North America as part of the “Devastation Of The Nation” tour with Rotting Christ, Wolfheart and Abigail Williams, as well as several other shows for 2022 in order to continue to promote their latest album True North. Check out a list of all upcoming Borknagar dates below.
Borknagar – Live 2021:
11.12.2021 Eindhoven (The Netherlands) – Eindhoven Metal Meeting
Borknagar – Live 2022:
08.01.2022 Zürich (Switzerland) – Dynamo / Mehsuff Winter-Festival
Rotting Christ, Borknagar, Wolfheart & Abigail Williams
“Devastation Of The Nation” – North American Tour 2022
21.04.2022 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
22.04.2022 Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom
23.04.2022 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
24.04.2022 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
26.04.2022 Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
27.04.2022 Denver, CO – The Roxy Theater
29.04.2022 Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre
30.04.2022 Chicago, IL – Reggies
01.05.2022 Detroit, MI – Sanctuary
03.05.2022 Toronto, ON – Lees Palace
04.05.2022 Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques
05.05.2022 Quebec City, QC – Imperial
06.05.2022 Manchester, NH – Jewel
07.05.2022 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus Bar
08.05.2022 Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
10.05.2022 Greensboro, NC – Blind Tiger
11.05.2022 Nashville, TN – Exit/In
12.05.2022 Birmingham, AL – Zydeco
13.05.2022 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Hell)
14.05.2022 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
16.05.2022 Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
17.05.2022 Fort Worth, TX – Haltom Theater
18.05.2022 Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live
19.05.2022 El Paso, TX – Rockhouse Bar
20.05.2022 Phoenix, AZ – Nile Theater
21.05.2022 San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
22.05.2022 Los Angeles, CA – 1720
More info: https://www.facebook.com/devastationonthenation
Tickets: https://bit.ly/DOTN2022
Borknagar – Live 2022:
27.05.2022 Hollandscheveld (The Netherlands) – Graveland Open Air
28.05.2022 Whittlebury Park / Towchester (UK) – ManorFest
19.06.2022 Clisson (France) – Hellfest
24.06.2022 Kauhajoki (Finland) – Nummirock
27.08.2022 Thessaloniki (Greece) – 8Ball
28.08.2022 Athens (Greece) – Kyttaro
Moonspell, My Dying Bride, Borknagar, Wolfheart & Hinayana
“Ultima Ratio Fest” – European Tour 2022
29.09.2022 Frankfurt (Germany) – Batschkapp
30.09.2022 Leipzig (Germany) – Hellraiser
01.10.2022 Antwerp (Belgium) – Trix
02.10.2022 Luxembourg (Luxembourg) – Den Atelier
03.10.2022 Paris (France) – Elysee Montmatre
04.10.2022 Lyon (France) – Transbordeur
05.10.2022 Pratteln (Switzerland) – Z7
06.10.2022 Stuttgart (Germany) – LKA
07.10.2022 Geiselwind (Germany) – Music Hall
08.10.2022 Munich (Germany) – Backstage Werk
09.10.2022 Brno (Czech Republic) – Sono
10.10.2022 Budapest (Hungary) – Barba Negra
11.10.2022 Vienna (Austria) – Arena
12.10.2022 Wroclaw (Poland) – A2
13.10.2022 Berlin (Germany) – Kesselhaus
14.10.2022 Hamburg (Germany) – Markthalle
15.10.2022 Oberhausen (Germany) – Turbinenhalle 2
16.10.2022 Utrecht (The Netherlands) – Ronda
Ticket pre-sale: www.ultima-ratio-fest.com
True North received rave reviews in the media and was named “Album of the month” by publications like Metal Hammer
(Germany), Legacy (Germany) or also Scream (Norway). The album scored several international sales chart rankings upon release as follows: Germany: #31, Switzerland: #34, Finland: #42, Austria: #56, Sweden (Physical Albums): #46, USA (Billboard Heatseekers): #12, USA (Billboard Hard Rock): #22 as well as ITunes Charts: Canada: #70, Italy: #77, Germany: #86 and Finland: #94. Listen to the singles “The Fire That Burns”, “Up North”, and “Voices”, off Borknagar’s most recent album True North. The album is available to purchase HERE.