Borknagar

Borknagar is a Norwegian band that started as a "a-tad better" normal Norsk Svart Metal band, with themes related to nature, wilderness, etc. It's interesting to note that the band is still, I believe, very underground. Which is certainly ironic, for a lot of the most famous people of the scene have been in the band. Krystoffer Rygg? (Ulver, Arcturus.) Check. Vortex? (Emo Burger.) Check. Vintersorg? (Vintersorg, Waterclime.) Check. Asgeir Mickelson? (Ihsahn.) Check. Ivar Bjørnson? (Enslaved.) Check. Infernus —Roger Tiegs—? (Gorgoroth.) Check!

So as you can see, most Norge "super-stars" have been in Borknagar. Because of this, I though it was mandatory to include some lyrics from this band that I love so much. Let's say I include…

Abrasion Tide

We're ensnared by the fate if persistence
As the forces of nature interact
To weather slope and mountain, close and by distance
Creating expanding ventifacts

Running water conducts the erosion
Leading grains of sand in the grind
Empowered by wind,time, and oceans
To wear down soil's rind

A tide that changes primary plains
Even principles positions
A flood that runs untimely through the elements and our veins
Shifting our focus and our definitions

New perspective from a vaster reflection
Thoughts flow like water from a hillock
That's repeatedly rinsed ,achieving friction
Releasing knowledge of the rock

An archaic course across the outer core
Seasons transform while remodelling the Solum
Above the altering scenery stars soar
Watching the drama like diffuse phantoms

The land is disintegrated by a power that was ice bound
At the same time fertilized
As our forefather's feet touched a ground
That nature constantly has revised

What I love about the lyrics, and Borknagar in general, is that they combine very poetic passages ("Above the altering scenery stars soar / Watching the drama like diffuse phantoms"), with, I guess what you would call, "scientific facts" ("The land is disintegrated by a power that was ice bound/At the same time fertilized /As our forefather's feet touched a ground/That nature constantly has revised").

Borknagar is a band which, like Dark Tranquillity, does not only have intense and admirable and magnificently-composed music, but also intelligent and thought-provoking lyrics. Hence, I recommend this band to everyone that likes to "think" and loves nature.

Want more Borknagar? Check their MySpace.

PS: I will post part of an interview I did to Øystein, for some reason I only have the translated version in Spanish.