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Borknagar – Anniversary deluxe re-issue of “Borknagar” debut album announced; band to tour Europe as part of the “Ultima Ratio Fest 2022” with Moonspell and My Dying Bride
Norway’s avant-garde Black Metal innovators Borknagar are pleased to announce a very special 25th Anniversary re-issue of their pioneering self-titled debut album “Borknagar”, out for the first time ever worldwide via the band’s longtime label partner Century Media Records on November 12th, 2021.
Borknagar founder and mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments on this special re-release as follows: “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.”
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 (who played in 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 upcoming deluxe edition of the album now entitled “Borknagar (25th Anniversary Re-issue 2021)” marks the definitive version of this pioneering Norwegian metal classic, as it includes a careful remaster of the 10 album songs courtesy of Øystein G. Brun himself, a makeover for the original artwork, profound liner notes, exclusive photos and a bonus disc full of previously unheard material from the band vaults. Here are the tracklistings of the Anniversary release:
“Borknagar (25th Anniversary Re-issue 2021)” – Digipak 2CD Digipak & Digital Album:
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)
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.) are available for pre-order as of today here: https://borknagar.lnk.to/Borknagar25thAnniversaryRe-Issue2021
In other news, Borknagar continue to promote their latest, 11th studio album “True North” and have now also been confirmed to be part of the “Ultima Ratio Fest 2022” across Europe in September/October 2022 together with Moonspell, My Dying Bride, Wolfheart and Hinayana. Here is a list of all dates for this run:
Moonspell, My Dying Bride, Borknagar , Wolfheart & Hinayana
“Ultima Ratio Fest 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
Previously, Borknagar are scheduled for a headlining run all over Europe for November-December 2021 with support by SAOR and Cân Bardd. Here are the dates again:
Borknagar, Saor & Cân Bardd
“True North” European Tour 2021
20.11.2021 Warsaw (Poland) – Hydrozagadka
21.11.2021 Krakow (Poland) – Kwadrat
22.11.2021 Prague (Czech Republic) – Futurum
23.11.2021 Leipzig (Germany) – UT Connewitz
24.11.2021 Hamburg (Germany) – Logo
25.11.2021 Essen (Germany) – Turock
26.11.2021 Antwerpen (Belgium) – Kavka
27.11.2021 London (UK) – The Garage
28.11.2021 Glasgow (UK) – Slay
29.11.2021 Manchester (UK) – Rebellion
30.11.2021 Paris (France) – Petit Bain
01.12.2021 Toulouse (France) – Le Rex
02.12.2021 Madrid (Spain) – Caracol
03.12.2021 Barcelona (Spain) – Bóveda
04.12.2021 Lyon (France) – CCO Vileurbanne
05.12.2021 Parma (Italy) – Campus Industry Music
06.12.2021 Monthey (Switzerland) – Pont Rouge
07.12.2021 Stuttgart (Germany) – Im Wizemann
08.12.2021 Munich (Germany) – Backstage
09.12.2021 Vienna (Austria) – Viper Room
10.12.2021 Weinheim (Germany) – Café Central
11.12.2021 Eindhoven (The Netherlands) – Eindhoven Metal Meeting
Borknagar online: