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Kampfar

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Kampfar
Kampfar performing live at Inferno Metal festival (Norway) in March 2024 Photo: Birgit Fostervold
Kampfar performing live at Inferno Metal festival (Norway) in March 2024
Photo: Birgit Fostervold
Background information
OriginFredrikstad, Norway
GenresBlack metal,[1] Viking metal, Black 'n' roll[2][3][4]
Years active1994–present
LabelsIndie Recordings, Napalm Records, Hammerheart Records, Malicious Records
MembersDolk
Ask
Ole
Ese
Past membersJon
Thomas
Websitewww.kampfar.com

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 Wotan.[5] The music of Kampfar can be described as black metal inspired by Norwegian folklore and nature. The band is currently signed to Indie Recordings.

Singer Dolk at Rockharz Open Air 2016
Ex-bassist Jon at Rockharz 2016

History

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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 self-titled 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.[6] The song was also featured on the band's second 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.[7]

A little more than a year later, on 13 November 2015, the band released their seventh full-length album Profan. The album was given Norway's 2015 Spellemann Award for best metal album of the year.[8]

On 3 May 2019, Kampfar released their eighth album, Ofidians Manifest.[9] This album was nominated for the 2019 Spellemann Award in the metal category.[10]

Discography

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Studio albums
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

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Timeline

Equipment

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  • 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

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  1. ^ Huey, Steve. "Kampfar biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  2. ^ "Kampfar – Kvass Review". Heavymetal.about.com. 6 June 2006. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  3. ^ "Kampfar – Kvass (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  4. ^ "Metal CD Kampfar Kvass review (Black-Metal)". Auxportesdumetal.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Interview with Kampfar's Dolk". Metalteamuk.net. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  6. ^ Kampfar on metal-archives.com Retrieved on 3 July 2016
  7. ^ "Indie Recordings - News". Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  8. ^ Kampfar - Spellemann Prisen Vinner Archived 13 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 3 July 2016
  9. ^ Pessaro, Fred (11 April 2019). "HEAR NORWEGIAN BLACK-METAL HORDE KAMPFAR'S VENOMOUS NEW SONG "SYNDEFALL"". Revolver. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Spellemann Prisen Nominerte - Metal 2019". Spellemann Prisen (in Norwegian). 4 February 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
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