Malice

L'autre belge de la rédac'. Passé par Spirit of Metal et Shoot Me Again.

Borknagar (Black Metal Mélodique/Expérimental) a annoncé que son vocaliste de longue date Vintersorg, présent depuis 2000 et l'album Quintessence, quittait les Norvégiens. Une décision prise pour des raisons "personnelles", nous apprend un communiqué du groupe qui précise que les relations entre le chanteur et le reste des membres restent cordiales et qu'Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund pourrait apparaître comme "guest vocalist" à l'avenir. 

Cette décision, explique Hedlund lui-même, est liée aux séquelles de l'accident de voiture qui l'avait laissé dans un état grave en 2014 et rend la vie en tournée compliquée pour le chanteur. Suite à son départ, ICS Vortex prendra le rôle de vocaliste principal, lui qui s'occupe également de la basse et était déjà au chant sur plusieurs morceaux. 

Lisez l'intégralité du communiqué (en anglais) ci-dessous, dans lequel Borknagar confirme également qu'un album est en cours d'enregistrement et devrait paraître en 2019 : 

ANDREAS "VINTERSORG" HEDLUND STEPS DOWN AS THE LEAD VOCALIST OF BORKNAGAR

Due to personal reasons, Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund has decided to step down as the lead vocalist of BORKNAGAR. The decision is based on mutual understanding, respect and in a friendly manner with the rest of the band. BORKNAGAR would like to express their sincere gratitude for the musical brotherhood we have shared throughout the years and wish Andreas the very best in his future endeavours. There is no drama to this situation, and our friendship will remain. No one should be too surprised if "Vintersorg" reappears as a guest vocalist on a future record.

As a natural consequence, I.C.S Vortex will take a step forward into the role as the band´s lead vocalist, and will, together with Lars Nedland, carry on BORKNAGARs legacy of vocal brilliance.

Øystein G. Brun comments: "It is with a lot of respect, gratitude and good memories I see one of my brothers in music set sails for new shores. Times are changing, and we both saw this coming for a while. Even though we are splitting as partners in BORKNAGAR, I am happy to say that we have decided to carry on our musical brotherhood in Cronian (Official). A new album will be released whenever time allows for that."

Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund comments : ”Time has come to make some tough decisions and let reality set the rules. It is with both a light and heavy heart I leave Borknagar as the lead vocalist. The light part is that it´s done in an amicable way and that this is the right thing to do for me, in respect for the fans and Borknagar. The heavy part is that it’s hard to leave something this meaningful and beautiful. My situation after the accident makes it hard to tour, and my job situation complicates things further. So in a way I’m not ”leaving” as such, it’s more like I’m putting some oil into the Borknagar machinery so the band can keep their busy schedule, get out on the road and meet you guys. Borknagar will always have a special place in my heart and mind, and I hope that I can do some guest performances further down the road. The guys in the band are fantastic musicians and persons and I wish them the best of luck. However, Cronian is not dead and may shake its head before you know it.”

BORKNAGAR is currently in the final stages of recording their eleventh album. It will be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio closer this spring. An official release date will be dropped in a not so distant future.