Kampfar (EP)

Kampfar is a black metal band from Fredrikstad, Norway. According to their singer, Dolk, their name is an ancient Norse battle cry which means Odin or Wōden, Wotan. The music of Kampfar can be described as black metal inspired by Norwegian folklore and nature. The band is currently signed to Indie Recordings.

History

Kampfar was formed by Dolk in 1994 when he left his former band, Mock, and was joined by Thomas. Two years later the duo released their first Kampfar (EP), self-titled Extended play, EP. This was followed by the release of the band's first full-length album ''Mellom skogkledde aaser'' in 1997. The band released their second album ''Fra underverdenen'' in 1999; the album is significant for featuring the song "Norse", which was the band's first song written in English, as opposed to their other songs which were written in the Norwegian language. The song was also featured on the band's second EP ''Norse (EP), Norse'', released in 1998. The sound on ''Fra Underverdenen'' moved away from some of the folk aspects that were featured on band's past releases and concentrated more on Thomas' fondness for classical music. Following the release of ''Fra Underverdenen'', Kampfar was put on hold. The band became active again during 2003, when they were joined by the bass player Jon Bakker and drummer and vocalist Ask. Despite the creation of new lineup, the band did not perform live until 2004. The band made their first appearance at the Moshfest festival in Halden, not far from their hometown Fredrikstad. Their 2006 album ''Kvass'' was recorded between November 2005 and January 2006 with producer Rune Jørgensen in Silvertone Studio in Gamle Fredrikstad. The band used the same studio and producer again for ''Heimgang'' in 2008.

In 2010 Kampfar went to the famous Abyss Studio in Sweden to record their next album ''Mare'' with producer Peter Tägtgren. Long serving guitarist Thomas quit the band even before the album was released and was replaced by Ole (Mistur, Emancer) for the upcoming live shows. Ole later joined the band permanently and Kampfar went on to tour Norway, North America and Europe twice to support the album.

In 2013 the band went back to Abyss Studio to record their sixth studio album ''Djevelmakt'', this time working with Jonas Kjellgren as producer and Peter Tägtgren doing the mixing. ''Djevelmakt'' was released worldwide 27 January 2014.

A little more than a year later, on 13 November 2015, the band released their seventh full-length album ''Profan (album), Profan''. The album was given Norway's 2015 Spellemannprisen, Spellemann Award for best metal album of the year.Kampfar - Spellemann Prisen Vinner
Retrieved on 3 July 2016

On 3 May 2019, Kampfar released their eighth album, ''Ofidians Manifest''. This album was nominated for the 2019 Spellemannprisen, Spellemann Award in the metal category.

Discography

;Studio albums
* ''Mellom skogkledde aaser'' (Malicious Records 1997, re-release Napalm Records 2006)
* ''Fra underverdenen'' (Hammerheart Records 1999, re-release Napalm Records 2006)
* ''Kvass'' (Napalm Records 2006)
* ''Heimgang'' (Napalm Records 2008)
* ''Mare'' (Napalm Records 2011)
* ''Djevelmakt'' (Indie Recordings 2014)
* ''Profan'' (Indie Recordings 2015)
* ''Ofidians Manifest'' (2019)
* ''Til klovers takt'' (2022)
;Singles and EPs
* ''Promo'' (demo, 1995)
* ''Kampfar'' (EP, 1996)
* ''Norse'' (EP, 1998)
* ''Mylder'' (single, 2013)
* ''Swarm Norvegicus'' (single, 2014)
* ''Icons'' (single, 2015)
* ''Tornekratt'' (single, 2016)
* ''Ophidian'' (single, 2019)
* ''Syndefall'' (single, 2019)
* ''Lausdans Under Stjernene'' (single, 2022)
* ''Urkraft'' (single, 2022)

Members

Current members

* Dolk (Per Joar Spydevold) — vocals (1994–present), drums (1994–2003)
* Ask (Ask Ty Ulvhedin Bergli Arctander) — vocals, drums (2003–present)
* Ole (Ole Hartvigsen) — guitar (2011–present)
* Jon (Jon Bakker) — bass (2003–present)

Former Member

* Thomas (Thomas Andreassen) — guitar (1994–2010), bass (1994–2003)

Timeline

Equipment

* ESP Guitars & Basses
* EMG Pickups
* ENGL Powerball
* Blackstar Unity
* Rotosound strings (Drop D tuning)
* Shure GLX-D Wireless
* Paiste Cymbals
* Richter straps
* Darkglass effects

References

External links

Official websiteKampfar
at My Space
Facebook

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Norwegian black metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1994
1994 establishments in Norway
Musical quartets
Musical groups from Fredrikstad
Norwegian folk metal musical groups
Napalm Records artists
Season of Mist artists