Following its release to generally rave reviews, Valfar decided to properly flesh out Windir for the purpose of performing live, and guitarists Strom and Sture, keyboardist Righ, and bassist Hvàll were added in time for 2001's 1184. Clean vocals were handled by one Cosmocrator this time out, and though still thematically steeped in regional Norse subject matter, Windir's folk music leanings also took a noticeable back seat here, making way for a return to more cohesively metallic direction -- also utilized on the band's fourth effort, 2003's formidable Likferd.
The latter, especially, was termed an unmitigated triumph by the worldwide press, and the future seemed incredibly bright for Windir, but on January 14, 2004, Valfar set out on foot for his family's secluded cabin at Fagereggi and never arrived. His worried family contacted local authorities, who organized a search party and, on the 17th, found Valfar's body at Reppastølen in the Sogndal valley. Apparently taken off-guard by the inclement weather and deep snow, he had attempted to turn back toward home, but died from exposure and hypothermia on the way. Needless to say, this tragic event sadly spelled the end for Windir, whose remaining members solemnly organized a benefit concert to celebrate their lost leader, as well as a final CD (2004's Valfar, Ein Windir) containing Windir outtakes and leftovers meant to raise funds for Valfar's family. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, Rovi