BORKNAGAR And Drummer DAVID KINKADE Go Their Separate Ways

Norway's BORKNAGARhas issued the following update:

"BORKNAGAR has decided to part ways with the U.S. drummer David Kinkade. This is first and foremost due to the logistical challenges we have been facing having a U.S. drummer in a Norwegian band the last couple of years. Sometimes reality bites and in order to be a fully operative band, we need a drummer based in Norway. The split is of friendly manner and we would like to say thanks for everything David has contributed with in relations to the band and we would also like to wish him the best of luck for his future endeavors."

In a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Kinkade said about his departure from BORKNAGAR, "I am leaving BORKNAGAR due to a number of reasons completely out of my control but I assure you that I've thought it through for quite some time now and I can honestly say that the spark just isn't there for me anymore. I tried everything I could over the past three years to make things happen. Now I just hope, for the fans' sake, that they will completely deliver... The fans really deserve it. I wish BORKNAGAR all the best in their future endeavors."

Kinkade, who has previously played with joined ARSIS and MALEVOLENT CREATION, joined SOULFLY a few weeks ago following the departure of that group's longtime skinsman Joe Nunez. Kinkade will appear on SOULFLY's already completed new album, which was recorded last month at a Phoenix, Arizona studio with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (CHIMAIRA, HATEBREED, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE ACACIA STRAIN, BORN OF OSIRIS, SHADOWS FALL) for an early 2012 release via Roadrunner Records.

BORKNAGAR is currently recording its next album for a tentative February 2012 release via Century Media Records. The CD will be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren in November at Fascination Street Studios in rebro, Sweden.

Commented BORKNAGAR mainman ystein G. Brun: "Looking back on our previous releases, our major challenge has always been to materialize our highly detailed music and compromises have been done production-wise. This time around there will be no compromise and hopefully you will witness the most powerful, rich, detailed and dynamic BORKNAGAR album to date!"

BORKNAGAR's latest album, "Universal", sold around 500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 116 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Universal" was released on February 22, 2010 in Europe and March 2, 2010 in North America through Indie Recordings. The effort was made available in four different formats: regular jewelcase CD, limited digipack (including bonus disc),CD box with extras and gatefold LP with double vinyl.

"Universal" was recorded and mixed at Toproom Studio in Lunner, Norway, with the bandmembers themselves handling the production duties.