BORKNAGAR
Empiricism

South-American (Argentina) edition, released by ICARUS Music. Please note, this is an officially licensed edition, not a Russian bootleg  

https://icarusmusicstore.com/

Norway’s avantgarde Black Metal pioneers and innovators BORKNAGAR arise at their most spirited and resplendend on their 11th studio album, “True North”. Succeeding 2016’s acclaimed “Winter Thrice” release and 25 years into the band’s existence, BORKNAGAR’s characteristically varied fusion of musical styles and inimitable layered vocal arrangements elevates the hour-long array of these 9 new tracks to a sonic spectacle of epic proportions and undisputable grandeur. “True North” was once again mixed by Jens Bogren / Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Kreator) 

reissue in super jewelcase

A Majestic Rebirth of a Nordic Masterpiece. With Origin, Borknagar strips back the layers of their cosmic black/progressive metal heritage to reveal something deeply organic, melodic, and profoundly atmospheric. Originally released as a bold acoustic statement, Origin stands as a testament to the band’s versatility, depth, and timeless songwriting – and now, it receives the deluxe vinyl treatment it truly deserves.

Sevan Mater presents this gem in a stunning new Triple Gatefold Edition, available in two strictly limited runs: 500 copies on Gold Vinyl and 500 copies on Red Vinyl. The Triple Gatefold packaging alone is a collector’s dream – beautifully designed, elegant, and immersive, perfectly echoing the rich natural textures and philosophical layers of the music within.

Musically, Origin is a journey through the soul of Borknagar – acoustic guitars, piano, flutes, and layered vocals flow like Nordic rivers through landscapes of introspection and grandeur. It’s both intimate and vast, a reflection of nature and spirit, myth and memory. The songs breathe, echoing ancient winds and the wisdom of the North. Tracks like “White” and “The Human Nature” reveal an emotional core often hinted at in Borknagar’s heavier works, now fully unmasked.

This album is not a detour – it is an essential chapter, perhaps one of the most sincere and poetic ever released in the metal world. Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering this masterpiece for the first time, this limited edition reissue is not to be missed. A glowing tribute to one of the most daring and visionary bands in modern metal – this is Borknagar at their most elemental, and most profound.

Transparent 12" double vinyl (33rpm) with brand-new crusher effect in black and white in jacket with double-sided insert.
Limited to 200 copies worldwide!

BORKNAGAR stay true to metal’s origins by letting their spirit guide them. Starting with their self-titled beginnings back in 1996, these Norwegians pushed past the boundaries set by traditional black metal. Over the course of the past 30 years, the band’s domain has come to include prog, neofolk and darkly enchanting hard rock, capped by major international tours and chart placements across the world. Eleven albums into their storied journey, they reached another creative peak on ’True North’ in 2019.
‘True North’ found BORKNAGAR at a crossroad. Half of the band’s lineup had turned over, but their longstanding members kept them on a dizzying upward trajectory. Whether picking or riffing, founder and guitarist Øystein Brun led the way, lighting a path for the versatile ICS Vortex (Arcturus, ex-Dimmu Borgir) to return to the mic. His thunderous cleans shine amidst the warm misty keys of hit single “Up North”, while his screams cut through the more hellish passages of “The Fire That Burns”. Even when hounded by “Voices”, keyboardist Lars Nedland’s resounding chorus resonated far and wide.
Loudwire named the album one of the best of 2019.

For fans of AMORPHIS, ENSLAVED, WINDIR.

Black 12" double vinyl (33rpm) in jacket with double-sided insert.
First pressing 300 copies worldwide

BORKNAGAR stay true to metal’s origins by letting their spirit guide them. Starting with their self-titled beginnings back in 1996, these Norwegians pushed past the boundaries set by traditional black metal. Over the course of the past 30 years, the band’s domain has come to include prog, neofolk and darkly enchanting hard rock, capped by major international tours and chart placements across the world. Eleven albums into their storied journey, they reached another creative peak on ’True North’ in 2019.
‘True North’ found BORKNAGAR at a crossroad. Half of the band’s lineup had turned over, but their longstanding members kept them on a dizzying upward trajectory. Whether picking or riffing, founder and guitarist Øystein Brun led the way, lighting a path for the versatile ICS Vortex (Arcturus, ex-Dimmu Borgir) to return to the mic. His thunderous cleans shine amidst the warm misty keys of hit single “Up North”, while his screams cut through the more hellish passages of “The Fire That Burns”. Even when hounded by “Voices”, keyboardist Lars Nedland’s resounding chorus resonated far and wide.
Loudwire named the album one of the best of 2019.

For fans of AMORPHIS, ENSLAVED, WINDIR.