Windir was a black metal band from Sogndal, Norway. The band was formed in 1994 as a one-man-band by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Terje “Valfar” Bakken. As a one-man-band Windir released its debut album “Sóknardalr” in 1997 and “Arntor” in 1999. In 2001 Windir became a full band when the members from the local band Ulcus joined Valfar.
Windir combined black metal with Scandinavian folk music, folklore and mythology, and many of the band’s lyrics are written in Sognamål, drawing much of its lyrical content from local sagas. 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 a number of new bands including Vreid, Mistur, and Cor Scorpii. With the coining of the term, the genre “Sognametal” as established by Windir has inspired many bands from the small region of Sogn og Fjordane.
On January 14, 2004, Terje “Valfar” Bakken went to his family’s cabin at Fagereggi, Norway, by foot. On January 17, his body was found at Reppastølen in the Sogndal valley. He died from hypothermia after being surprised by sudden inclement weather en route. He was buried on January 27 at Stedje Church in Norway. In March 2004, Windir officially disbanded.
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 at Rockefeller, Windir’s remaining members performed their last concert. The concert had several guests, and the main vocals was done by Sture and Valfar’s brother Vegard Bakken.
WINDIR LOCATIONS
COVER ART
The Battle of Fimreite Memorial Stone (1184, Valfar Ein Windir)
The National Museum (Likferd, 1184)
HISTORIC SITES
Rockefeller (Last concert of Windir)
GRAVES
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