Guitarist Øystein G. Brun from Norwegian black metallers Borknagar has posted the following announcement regarding the addition of drummer Dave Kinkade (Arsis, Malevolent Creation, Divine Empire, Council Of The Fallen) to the group's ranks:

"Dave Kinkade is the new drummer in Borknagar. His first appearance with the band will be the actual recording of the new album, which will be recorded early next year.

We are exited to finally get a new drummer behind the kit. We have spent quite some time and effort to find suitable and highly skilled replacement for Asgeir Mickelson. Dave has proven to be a fantastic drummer, become a good friend and he shares the same passion for music as the rest of us. We are truly confident that this cooperation will contribute to empower the music of Borknagar even more in the future to come.

Dave Kinkade comments as follows: "It is an absolute honor to be joining Borknagar. Norwegian black metal has always had a Huge impact on my personal influences and taste in music. I look forward to making the new record with them and playing songs that I've been listening to for years. As a drummer, I trust that my playing will fit well with Borknagar's style and that I will not be letting any fans down with the final result."

Now, we are all exited to enter studio in late January to start recording the new album! More news will be launched very soon!"

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Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Borknagar

Borknagar have issued the following update:

"Due to the latest years evolving differences in musical ideas and visions, Asgeir Mickelson has decided to quit Borknagar. The split happens in a friendly manner and with mutual respect for the decision that he has made. He will remain a good friend of the band. We wish to thank him for a great collaboration over the years and the best of luck with future endeavours! The split will have little or no effect on the schedule of the forthcoming album. We are currently working on pre-productions and we are heading for an early-next-year release. As stated before, the new album will regain the musical forces that dominated the 4 first albums. So beware!"

Source:	blog.myspace.com
Band profile:	Borknagar

Norway's Borknagar have checked in with the following message:

"We are happy to announce that Jens Ryland and Erik Tiwaz (aka Tyr) are back as permanent members of Borknagar, respectively on guitar and bass.

Jens Ryland was a long run member of the band and contributed on "The Archaic Course", "Quintessense" and "Empiricism" before he quit the band in 2003, due to other priorities in life. Erik Tiwaz joined the band in 2000 and participated on Empiricism as a regular member. In 2004 he quit the band due to personal reasons but contributed as a session musician on "Origin" in 2006.

Jens Ryland comments on his reunion with the band: "I'm happy to say I'm again joining the proud ranks of Borknagar, but it also feels strange as I have never really cut the string entirely. It's funny how the world turns, and age has not worn out this crew at all, on the contrary the band seems relaxed, content and more than ready for new adventures. I have had a few years with a quite different focus than music, and while it's been both natural and rewarding I could never leave the world of music entirely. There are some experiences you simply cannot get any other way than playing in a band, and what band suits me better than Borknagar? The band has a new drive now and what better timing for Tyr and myself to sign in. We're gonna conquer the world, but we will do it Borknagar- style!"

Erik Tiwaz follows up with his comment: "After many years of lurking in the shadows of the colossi that is Borknagar, I have reached the decision that it is high time that I step forward into the stagelight, to continue where I left off after our 2001 release of "Empiricism". My participation on "Origin" (2006) renewed my desire to engage actively to further the development of Borknagar. It also made me realize that this is my home base, and where I feel most comfortable contributing musically. It's an arena where we all pull in the same direction, with mutual respect and drive. Having Jens aboard the vessel once more is probably the most natural thing that could happen, and personally I am very happy to be able to work with him again. I feel that this, the "Empiricism" lineup, is Borknagar's strongest ever, and this is the consensus of the band aswell. I'd have to say though, that the time that I've been away from the band has felt more like a break than anything else, it's like I never really left. Come to think of it, I never really did, did I...?"

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Source:	borknagar.com
Band profile:	Borknagar

Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Borknagar:

It is with great pride we announce the signing of Progressive Black Metal Legends Borknagar!

Borknagar has for nearly a decade been a leading star in the Black Metal community. Like no other band they have pushed the boundaries of what is possible within the genre, and now they will once again return to the dark side - to their roots, for a darker and heavier album to be released on Indie Recordings. It is an honour to add Borknagar to our rooster.

In a press statement the band comments the signing:

"After nearly a year of negotiating deals with different labels we are now proud to finally reveal the partnership that we have settled for our next 3 albums. In late December 2007 we inked a 3 album deal with the Norwegian label Indie Recordings. After the release of ORIGIN, our 12 years and 6 albums long partnership with Century Media Records came to an end contractually. The years have been a great journey, but sometimes changes are needed to evolve and it was time for a change now. We are really exited to start working with our new partners for the next albums to come. Indie Recordings is a relatively new label, but the crucial staff behind the company has been friends and fans of the band for many years. Their genuine dedication and high level of professionalism makes us totally confident that our collaboration in the future will be prosperous in many ways; for the band, our fans and other associates. We are currently in writing mode for our next album and we are aiming for a late 2008 release. This time around we will be back on track with a massive album including all our core elements that have formed our identity through the years. For our long run fans the album might represent a surprise or two. So beware!"

Source:	indierec.no
Band profile:	Borknagar

The Batallion, the Bergen, Norway-based old-school Death/Thrash band consisting of members of Old Funeral, Deathcon, Borknagar and Grimfist, has just released a self-titled four-song debut EP via the Norwegian label Masculin Records on both vinyl and CD.

Members of The Batallion are:

Stud Bronson - Guitar and Vocals
Lust Kilman - Guitar
Colt Kane - Bass
Morden - Drums

For more information, including audio samples, go to this location.

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Source:	roadrunnerrecords.com
Band profile:	Grimfist

A new song from Borknagar entitled 'Earth Imagery' has been posted online here. The track comes off the band's upcoming acoustic album "Origin" which will be released on October 30th through Century Media in Europe.

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Source:	www2.centurymedia.com
Band profile:	Borknagar

A message posted by Øystein G. Brun on Century Media Records Germany website reveals some interesting new facts:
"Dear fans and associates,

Having created epic metal for several years now, an idea and a vision has arisen within the Borknagar camp, and we hereby want to inform you about how it will affect our forthcoming release: The next BORKNAGAR album will be an acoustic effort based entirely on the epic and progressive aspect of the band. The recording will commence this very spring, most likely in late May, at Toproom Studio in Norway as we are planning an autumn release.

This is something we have wanted to do for many years now, and the idea has lingered within the band ever since the recording of Quintessence and a few private sessions with a grand piano and an acoustic guitar. The album will be acoustic based but largely arranged with a wide range of instruments and vocal styles. It will be recorded by the same line-up that did EPIC, and we will be working with different locations during the recording process in order to catch the sounds of different acoustic environments. Musically the album will be rather dissimilar from what we have done before, though the unique BORKNAGAR-sound will surly shine through.

This is not a permanent change of the bands musical style, but rather a musical quest and a challenge for us as well as for our audience!

The title of the album will be released soon.

Best regard,

Øystein G. Brun
BORKNAGAR"
http://www.borknagar.com

Source:	centurymedia.de
Band profile:	Borknagar

Asgeir from BORKNAGAR has posted the following in the band's official forum at ultimatemetal.com:

"We have finally started working on a Borknagar DVD. However, there will probably be another studio album (meaning another epic after Epic. Duh.) before the DVD surfaces. We got lots and lots of video material from the recordings of Quintessence, Empiricism and Epic. We got all shows I've played with the band (some shows with three cameras running), and we've got a lot of stupid backstage and touring stuff. Øystein has a couple of hours from the US tour but we need more - especially bootlegs from the '90s! We are basically looking for as much video material as possible so let us know what you have! Did you smuggle a camera into a Borknagar show? Let us have a copy of it! Bootlegs are welcome!!!"

Band profile:

Borknagar

Norway's BORKNAGAR have set a June 29 European release date through Century Media Records for their sixth album, "Epic".

The follow-up to 2001's "Empiricism" was recorded and mixed at Toproom and Fagerborg Studios with producer Borge Finstad (MAYHEM, SOLEFALD). "Musically the album will take off and expand from where 'Empiricism' ended, and for those of you who liked our previous material: the new album will rock you by the root!" the band write on their web site.

"Epic" track listing:

01. Future Reminiscence (5:26)
02. Traveller (5:03)
03. Origin (4:58)
04. Sealed Chambers of Electricity (4:12)
05. The Weight of Wind (3:58)
06. Resonance (4:28)
07. Relate (Dialogue)(4:28)
08. Cyclus (5:25)
09. Circled (4:45)
10. Inner Ocean Hypothesis (5:10)
11. Quintessence (5:31)
12. The Wonder (4:16)

Total running time: (57:55)

Band profile:

Borknagar

The new album will be realeased in June or July 2004. Epic features 12 new Songs, including one instrumental track, and promises not to disappoint anyone who is into this fantastic Norwegian band. Vocals once more were done by exceptionally gifted singer Vintersorg, who released another solo album through Napalm Records a couple of weeks ago. The band parted ways with bass player Tyr in a friendly manner before recording his parts of the album. All bass parts were done by drummer Asgeir Mickelson. Last weekend the band entered the studio to start the mix of Epic.

Band profile:

Borknagar