BORKNAGAR – Reveal new album’s front cover artwork and tracklisting!
Norwegian Avantgarde Metallers BORKNAGAR are now unveiling the front cover artwork for their much anticipated new studio album, “Urd”, to be released on March 26th, 2012 in Europe as well as March 27th, 2012 in North America via Century Media Records.
The album’s artwork was designed by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco (www.P2RDESIGN.com), who has not only already worked on the band’s previous “Universal” release but also with artists such as Soulfly, Belphegor, Einherjer or Keep of Kalessin. See the new BORKNAGAR artwork above…
BORKNAGAR’s mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments on the artwork as follows:
“The cover and design for ‘Urd’ is spot on when it comes to portraying the very core of the band. This time around we wanted an earthly expression through our cover and general design to support and empower the main themes on the album. You can almost smell and feel the texture of the old Norse wooden carvings – still there is a sophisticated and eclectic approach to the expression that entwines perfectly into the music. Marcelo Vasco enhanced our ideas into brilliance, he painted the face of the beast that is about to be unleashed…”
BORKNAGAR have recently finalized mixing duties for the album with Jens Bogren at Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Paradise Lost, Katatonia, etc.). The tracklisting for the album will read as follows:
BORKNAGAR – “Urd” / Tracklisting:
1. Epochalypse
2. Roots
3. The Beauty Of Dead Cities
4. The Earthling
5. The Plains Of Memories
6. Mount Regency
7. Frostrite
8. The Winter Eclipse
9. In A Deeper World
The band previously explained the album title and its overall concept as follows:
“Our previous album was called “Universal” and where should we go after an album title with such a magnitude? Well, we decided to head back home to earth. We really wanted to get back to the core of the band, where it all started – the admiration and pondering about nature and mankind’s place therein. “Urd” is the name of one of the norns that according to northern mythology stands under Yggdrasill and weaves the lifeline of mankind. “Urd” is representing the past, while “Verdande” is representing the present and “Skuld” is representing the future. You might very well say that this is an ancient expression of what we today know as DNA. And I have always been very fascinated by the fact that parts and bits of our DNA actually derive from the very beginning of time. All living creatures are somewhat connected to the very first organic cell. That is some of the story behind the album title…”
BORKNAGAR Line-Up:
Øystein G. Brun – Clean & Electric Guitars (Cronian, ex Molested)
Vintersorg – Grim Vocals, Clean Vocals & Choirs (Vintersorg, Fission)
Lars A. Nedland – Keys, Clean Vocals & Choirs (Solefald, ex Carpathian Forest)
Jens F. Ryland – Lead Guitars (ICS Vortex)
ICS Vortex – Bass, Clean Vocals & Choirs (Arcturus / ICS Vortex, ex Dimmu Borgir)
Drums and percussion on “Urd” were performed by David Kinkade (Soulfly, ex Malevolent Creation).
BORKNAGAR Live 2012:
04.-07.04. Oslo (Norway) – Inferno Festival / www.infernofestival.net
13.-14.04. Lichtenfels (Germany) – Ragnarök Festival / www.ragnaroek-festival.com
More dates will be announced soon…
More details and information about the upcoming BORKNAGAR release will be issued soon…
Official BORKNAGAR sites:
www.facebook.com/borknagarofficial
Century Media Records online:
http://www.centurymedia.com
http://www.myspace.com/centurymediaeurope
http://www.youtube.com/centurymedia
http://www.twitter.com/centurymediaeu
http://www.facebook.com/centurymedia
Century Media webshop:
http://www.cmdistro.com
I CANNOT WAIT!
Can’t wait, will it be available to pre-order?
It is very nice to see Borknagar so active and public on the web these days, in anticipation of the new album Urd! For a long time, it seemed Borknagar was not keeping much of a presence on the website, with long gaps between updates. Yet now, with a new label, new music, redesigned site, and reinvigorated lineup, it is truly an exciting time for this band! Jens, it is awesome you have taken an active role in responding in the comments, as this is very important to interacting with fans across the world. And Øystein’s comments always set the tone for the philosophy of Borknagar’s new album, which is insightful and builds excitement. It is certain that the rest of the band will once again prove their mastery of the metal art form, and transcend all musical expectations!
Thanx for the support!
——Jens
Damn, that’s gonna look amazing on a T-Shirt!!!!
Who’s the new drummer, guys??
When will you release the info on the new drummer? Have the decission been made yet, are you auditioning or what?
Would love the gig myself, but I fear it’s a bit out of my league at the moment.
Announcement will come soon
———–Jens
I’m still blown away by the current line up, You literally have more than half of my favorite vocalists in one band. I’ve never been this excited for an album before.
I really hope we get another Lazare song this album too.That guy is great! You know what? Next time you see him, give him a kiss on the lips from me.
You better do it, I’ll know it you don’t.
Oh, I’ll know….
Yeah, really can’t grant all your wishes here!!!!
——Jens
Amazing album, wich I review on my blog (4/5): http://hardrockarpappan.blogspot.se/2012/03/recension-borknagar-metal-som-det-ska.html
Well done
HårdrockarPappan
Journalist
Sweden