In the wake of their upcoming new album’s release, Norwegian avantgarde metallers BORKNAGAR have announced a new drummer to the band’s lineup.

The exceptionally talented youngster, Baard Kolstad, is joining Borknagar as new drummer and he will perform his first show together with the band at this year’s Inferno Festival in Norway, April 4th – 7th in Oslo, Norway.

Kolstad’s extreme drum abilities have been proven through several YouTube clips, TV-appearances in Norway and just recently he won the world championship in V- Drums, in Los Angeles.

Borknagar mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments as follows: “First and foremost I would like to welcome Baard into the fold, may our journey ahead become a joy able ride. We are all very excited about Baard teaming up with the band. He has proven to be an immensely talented drummer with skills and a technique that is simply breathtaking. Our first encounter was late last year when he stepped in and recorded drums for ICS Vortex’s cover version of METALLICA's song, 'Don’t Tread On Me'. Since then we have kept an eye on him. When we spilt with David Kinkade a bit later on, the road ahead was obvious. We are all very much looking forward to pull off the very first gigs...”

Baard Kolstad added: ”I’m really happy for this opportunity and the fact that I have earned the respect to play with Borknagar. Really looking forward to the musical adventure that the future holds and will do my best to deal with the challenge in the most respectful and creative way. Now, I just want to play!”

Borknagar will release their new studio album, Urd, on the following dates via Century Media Records:

March

23 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway
26 - UK, Benelux, France, Greece, Denmark, Portugal, Rest Of Europe
27 - Spain, Italy, North America
28 - Sweden, Finland, Hungary
30 - Australia, New Zealand

The album’s artwork was designed by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco and can be seen below:

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 recently finalized mixing duties for the album with Jens Bogren at Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios. The tracklisting for the album is as follows:

'Epochalypse'

'Roots'

'The Beauty Of Dead Cities'

'The Earthling'

'The Plains Of Memories'

'Mount Regency'

'Frostrite'

'The Winter Eclipse'

'In A Deeper World'

Next to the standard CD, LP (in unlimited black 180 gr. vinyl, but also in limited colored pressings of green, grey or golden 180 gr. vinyl), a limited edition first pressing version of the album will be available in Europe as Digipak with the 2 bonus tracks 'Age Of Creation' (unreleased new album sessions’ track) and 'My Friend Of Misery' (Metallica cover).

Urd can be now pre-ordered in Europe from CM Distro in its different formats but also as bundle of the limited edition Digipak with an exclusive shirt:

- Ltd. Digipak CD (+ Bonus Tracks)
- Standard CD
- Black LP
- Ltd. Green LP
- Bundle version of Ltd. Digipak CD and T-Shirts

The album track, 'Roots', can be heard at this location.

Borknagar lineup:

Øystein G. Brun – Clean & Electric Guitars (CRONIAN, ex-MOLESTED)

ICS Vortex – Bass, Clean Vocals & Choirs (ARCTURUS, ICS VORTEX, ex-DIMMU BORGIR)

Vintersorg – Grim Vocals, Clean Vocals and Choirs (VINTERSORG, FISSION)

Jens F. Ryland – Lead Guitars (ICS Vortex)

Lars A. Nedland – Keys, Clean Vocals & Choirs (SOLEFALD, ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST)

Baard Kolstad – Drums

* Drums and percussion on Urd were performed by David Kinkade (SOULFLY, ex-MALEVOLENT CREATION).

More details and information about the album’s release will be issued soon.