BORKNAGAR (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for answering to our questions. What’s currently going on into the band’s camp?
The Borknagar bandcamp is currently calm and excited. We’re eagerly waiting for feedback on the Urd album and dealing with some future plans. I’m also engaged with ICS Vortex and a bit busy there toigether with Simen.
– You will soon release your upcoming “Urd”, which was recorded with David Kinkade among the line-up but left the band after the recording sessions. Do you already have a new drummer?
Yes, new drummer is on board, and I would have to admit he has been for some time now, we just didn’t see it necessary to announce him just yet. Working on the pressrelease as we speak actually.,
– After releasing almost all your albums with Century Media, “Universal” came out via Indie Recordings and “Urd” has been released once more with Century Media. What made you leave and go back for them again?
We left Century Media for a contract we thought would be more beneficial for us, but things changed both for Borknagar and for Century Media and it was natural to head back. I don’t really want to go any deeper into that.
– You have always had a really unique, complete and dynamic sound, but you go one step further with each new record. Is this something important for the band? As it seems to be your trademark (or one of them at least).
I think we simply keep on developing as a band and that gives the dynamics that has become a big part of our expression. It’s about always focusing on what could be better and then taking it a step further without loosing sight of the entrance. Øystein does most of the songwriting and he has become more philosophical about it in a way. He explained his visions of the Urd album to me over a year ago before even starting with the lyrics, only from the demos he was handing over. The dynamic comes natural, but is no coincidence you could say.
– And could you say while you are experimenting you are, at the same time, shaping a bit more your personality or will you never get to the point where you will release the second piece twice, with the same elements?
I don’t want to be categoric about these sort of things, can’t really answer that. The next album we make will be a result of the expression, experience and feeling with the previous one. Developing for developments sake doesn’t make sense.
– With “Urd” you have developed the 70’s details you already had on your previous “Universal”. Was this something planned?
I’d have to say; “thank you, I never thought of it like that!” and perhaps that answers the question? Hehe. I think what you are seeing is us displaying more and more confidence with our expression and this allows us to dig deeper into our influences. I meen, it was Jimi Hendrix who got me into whawha-pedals, but I never expected to use on with Borknagar. Until now…
– Do you think you will keep on exploring these territories with upcoming albums or we can just expect the unexpected from you?
Just expect the unexpected as I was saying before here; The next one will depend on this one. I don’t know yet what road we will follow.
– I also noticed in the album some more nods to your first, more Black Metal, CDs (as there are some blastbeats for instance). Was mixing the best of your past with the best of your present something you were aiming for?
Yes, and thus the name “Urd”. I think it came naturally with the reintroduction of ICS Vortex in the ranks. A retrospect, with a new touch.
– There are catchy tunes as “Roots”, is this something to get into such a bombastic and majestic sound?
I think Roots is a very typhical Borknagar-song in the Urd-wrapping. The whole buildup, the classical accoustic break in the middle, the epic last part with the catchy vocals. It’s a strong tune on it’s own and it works perfectly with the rest of the album in my opinion.
– In fact I’d dare say this track depicts quite good what this album is all about. What’s the story behind this song?
Yes, exactly!
It’s Øysteins lyrics, at this time I haven’t really learned if there was any deeper background to it.
– “The Beauty of Dead Cities” shows you are the so called PINK FLOYD of Metal. How do you feel about that?
It’s Lars’s song, and even if I count Øystein as the bigger Pink Floyd fan it tends to be easier to spot with Lars. We’re all huge fans of Pink Floyd, any musical link and association with them is a great honor.
I don’t mind at all being labeled as a progressive band, but I don’t think we step to far with it either. Like Dream Theatre has the label of being the “musicians band”, I think we take prog into our style in a way that doesn’t make it unavailable for the regular fans.
– Anyway, this is, as always, a really dynamic album, and I have always thought the different voices help highlighting this even more. How did you come up with the idea of having none less than 3 singers?
Again, coincidence hehe! The way ICS Vortex re-entered the band was never meant to push anyone out. I think we have reached a level of maturity and diplomacy where it feels right to build a strong collective even though the players overlap each other without making conflict. You know, all the guys in the band can play guitars, both ICS Vortex and Vintersorg even plays guitars in their self titled bands and does so very well, but I still don’t feel my position as guitarist threatened by that. And so we end up with three rather strong voices in the same band, and they simply take their cooperation a bit further. I think many expected Lars to be less active with ICS Vortex’s entry, but instead he sings more on Urd then he’s ever done.
– This time I think the mix has an important role: it makes everything sound clear, which is really important on an album full of so many different details. Ae you satisfied with the work Jens Brogen did on “Urd”?
Oh, very very much so! I think you’re dead on here, Jens Bogren’s work has made a huge difference cleaning up this sound and selecting and focusing on different details.
– It also makes visible is an album full of contrasts: harsh but clean, mellow but rough, slow and fast, well-cared and honest… But how could you describe the CD?
Hmm, I think your description there is quite good! You just described “dynamics”. Contrasts is a good description.
I think we have used all our skills, all our experience and made an album that takes you to the highest mountains and coldest depths that is Borknagar. Everyone, including Dave have contributed with the best they have.
– And finally, what are your near-future plans? Beside some single shows you have announced, do you plan touring to support “Urd” on stage?
I wish we could…
Our participation depends on several factors, I don’t want to elaborate more. Lets see,
– That has been everything from my side, thank you once more for your time. If you now want to add some final words, last lines are all yours.
At least I get to visit Spain with ICS Vortex in 2012, hope to see some of you there!
———–Jens
