View source for Windir

{{Short description|Norwegian black metal band}}
{{For|the Windows environment variable "WinDir"|Environment variable}}
{{refimprove|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Windir
| background      = group_or_band
| origin          = [[Sogndal]], [[Norway]]
| genre           = {{flatlist|
* [[Melodic black metal]]
* [[Viking metal]]
* [[folk metal]]
* [[atmospheric black metal]]}}
| years_active    = 1994–2004
| label           = [[Tabu Recordings|Tabu]]<br/>[[Head Not Found]]
| associated_acts = [[Vreid]]<br/>[[Cor Scorpii]]
| website         = [http://www.windir.no/ www.windir.no]
| current_members =
* [[Terje Bakken|Valfar]]
* Strom
* Sture
* Hvàll
* Steingrim
* Righ
| past_members    =
}}
'''Windir''' ("Warrior" in [[English language|English]]) was a [[black metal]] band from [[Sogndal]], [[Norway]]. The band was formed in 1994 by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist [[Terje Bakken|Terje "Valfar" Bakken]], and released its debut album, ''[[Sóknardalr]]'', in 1997. Windir combined black metal with Scandinavian [[folk music]], [[Scandinavian folklore|folklore]], and [[mythology]], and many of the band's lyrics were written in [[Sognamål]]. Windir produced four albums in their nearly ten years of existence. The band broke up in March 2004 after frontman Valfar died of [[hypothermia]] after becoming caught in a blizzard on his way to his family's cabin in Norway. Following his death, the remaining band members went on to form several new bands, including [[Vreid]], Mistur, and [[Cor Scorpii]].
Most of the band's early albums featured lyrics written in Valfar's native dialect, Sognamål. The band had an "intense affinity for traditional music and Norwegian texts, drawing much of its lyrical content from local sagas, using traditional folk tunes in its music, and singing in an archaic rural dialect".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/metalrulesglobeh00wall|url-access=registration|quote=Windir.|title=Metal Rules the Globe: Heavy Metal Music Around the World|last1=Berger|first1=Harris M.|last2=Greene|first2=Paul D.|date=2011-12-27|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0822347330|pages=[https://archive.org/details/metalrulesglobeh00wall/page/n203 194]|language=en}}</ref> The term "Sognametal", coined in reference to the genre established by Windir, has inspired many bands from the small region of [[Sogn og Fjordane]], most of whom are ex-members of Windir or their friends.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.toiletovhell.com/sognametal-the-legacy-of-windir-part-1/|title=Sognametal: The Legacy of Windir – Part 1|date=2014-10-20|work=The Toilet Ov Hell|access-date=2017-04-29|language=en-US}}</ref> These bands include: [[Vreid]], [[Cor Scorpii]], Mistur, Sigtyr, and Feigd.
==Valfar's death==
On January 14, 2004, Terje "Valfar" Bakken set out on foot to his family's cabin at Fagereggi, Norway. On January 17, his body was found at Reppastølen in the [[Sogndal]] valley. He died from [[hypothermia]] after being caught in sudden inclement weather en route.<ref name=allmusic>Rivadavia, Eduardo. [{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=windir-mn0000678415|tab=biography|pure_url=yes}} "AllMusic ((( Windir > Biography )))"]. [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved July 21, 2013.</ref> He was buried on January 27 at Stedje Church in Norway. In March 2004, Windir officially disbanded.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/windir-is-now-history/|title=WINDIR Is Now History|date=2004-09-17|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=2017-04-29|language=en-US}}</ref>
A compilation album containing Windir outtakes and B-sides, ''[[Valfar, ein Windir]]'', was released in 2004 as a tribute to Valfar. On September 3, 2004, in Oslo, Windir's remaining members performed their last concert to reconnect with their roots and maintain what they believed was real.<ref name=allmusic/> [[Enslaved (band)|Enslaved]], [[Finntroll]], Notodden All Stars, Weh, E-Head, and Mindgrinder were the guest bands.
== Band members ==
=== Final line-up ===
* [[Terje Bakken|Terje "Valfar" Bakken]] – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, [[accordion]] (1994–2004; until his death), (studio-only for instruments since 2001)
* Jørn "Steingrim" Holen – drums (1994–2004; studio-only until 2001)
* Jarle "Hvàll" Kvåle – bass guitar (2001–2004)
* Sture Dingsøyr – rhythm guitar (2001–2004), vocals (2004)
* Stian "Strom" Bakketeig – lead guitar (2001–2004)
* Gaute "Righ" Refsnes – keyboards (2001–2004)
=== Past members ===
* Sorg – guitars (1994–1996) and choir (on ''Det gamle riket'')
* Lars Stian "Invictus" Havraas – bass (session)
=== Session members ===
==== ''Arntor'' ====
* Steinarson – clean vocals
* I. R. Aroy – lead guitar (tracks 2, 4, and 6)
* Harjar – lead guitar (tracks 3 and 5)
* B. T. Aroy – keyboards (track 7)
==== Other session members ====
* Cosmocrator – clean vocals (on ''[[1184 (album)|1184]]'', ''[[Likferd]]'', and ''[[Sognametal]]'')
* Vegard Bakken – vocals (on ''[[Sognametal]]'')
== Discography ==
=== Albums ===
* ''[[Sóknardalr]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Arntor]]'' (1999)
* ''[[1184 (album)|1184]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Likferd]]'' (2003)
=== Compilations ===
* ''[[Valfar, ein Windir]]'' (2004) – a tribute to deceased founding member Valfar
=== Videos ===
* ''[[Sognametal]]'' (DVD, 2005)
=== Demo albums ===
The demos feature Valfar on vocals, Sorg on guitars, and Steingrim on drums.
* ''Sogneriket'' (1994)
* ''Det gamle riket'' (1995)
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20011031060628/http://www.windir.no/ Official website] (archived)
* [http://www.windir.no/default.aspx?p=biography&lang=engelsk Biography]
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Windir/360 Metal Archives File]
{{Windir}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Norwegian black metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Norwegian folk metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Norwegian viking metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1994]]
[[Category:1994 establishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2004]]
[[Category:2004 disestablishments in Norway]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Sogn og Fjordane]]
[[Category:Musicians from Sogndal]]
{{Norway-band-stub}}