Baard Kolstad is the drummer for ICS Vortex, Leprous and Rendezvous Point, as well as the live drummer for Solefald. Kolstad has now announced that with "lots of different ambitious musical projects and bands at the same time, I kind of always knew that it would come a time where I had to set some priorities" and will be leaving Borknagar. Kolstad played with Borknagar between 2012 and 2018.
Borknagar is currently in the studio with new drummer Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow. Founding guitarist Øystein Garnes Brun says there's no drama between the band and Kolstad, adding that Kolstad's "future is indeed bright, the young man is already a legend!"
Here's Brun's full statement.
"So, again, we are about to set sail for new musical adventures. The horizon certainly looks broader, higher and shimmers even deeper than before.
"We are all extremely excited about this new album and the material therein. The album derives as a natural continuation from Winter Thrice, but we'll take a huge leap forward as well. In all facets, that is.
"Baard leaving the band has been known to the band for quite some while, so absolutely no drama in regards to his departure. I am truly happy for the time we shared on and off stage over the past years and wish him nothing but the best for future to come. His future is indeed bright, the young man is already a legend!
"Who is the new drummer? His name is Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow and has proven to be a stunning drummer. No wonder Baard hooked us up. A few months ago, we had our first rehearsal and during the past week, we recorded the drums for the new album at Strand studio in Oslo together with engineer Marius Strand. The recording session turned out stellar. I am deeply impressed by the level of professionalism, dedication and sweaty efforts Bjørn put into this album. A drummer of world class. Mark my words.
"Last but not least, we are stoked to once again be able to work with Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio. We will spend the next months doing the remaining recordings in various studios and eventually do the mix/master of the album at Fascination Street Studio in March 2019.
"This will be grandiose, in so many ways! More information will follow shortly."
Borknagar is set to mix and master their new album in March 2019 with Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Amon Amarth) at Fascination Street Studio and will release the record that fall.
