Origin: North Macedonia
Formed: 2010
Status: Split-up
Genre: Folk / Black Metal
Label: Alatir Promotions
Themes: Fantasy, Legends, Pagan Metaphysics, Satanism
Highborne was a folk/black metal project from Skopje, founded in 2010 as the personal vision of Brsjak, who initially handled all instrumentation before later expanding the lineup. The project quickly distinguished itself within the Macedonian underground through its fusion of raw black metal aggression with melodic folk elements, mythic storytelling, and a strong emphasis on fantasy‑driven worldbuilding. Highborne’s lyrical universe drew heavily from pagan metaphysics, ancient legends, and occult symbolism, creating a soundscape that felt both archaic and imaginative.
The band’s first demo, Lore and Legend (2010), introduced this hybrid aesthetic: tremolo‑driven black metal riffs intertwined with folk‑inspired melodies, atmospheric passages, and a narrative tone reminiscent of early Eastern European pagan black metal. The demo circulated through underground channels and helped establish Highborne as one of the few Macedonian acts exploring this thematic territory at the time.
Later in 2010, Highborne released The Netheril Cycle, a second demo that expanded the project’s conceptual scope. Drawing inspiration from fantasy mythos and esoteric lore, the release showcased more intricate guitar work and a stronger emphasis on melodic storytelling. The material hinted at a broader conceptual arc, positioning Highborne as a project deeply invested in mythic and metaphysical themes rather than traditional black metal nihilism.
Although the band’s active years remain unclear, Highborne’s brief existence left a distinct mark on the Macedonian scene. Their combination of folk‑infused atmospheres, occult themes, and fantasy‑driven narratives set them apart from the harsher, more misanthropic tendencies of their contemporaries. Members later dispersed into various other underground projects, carrying forward elements of Highborne’s melodic and conceptual identity.
Brsjak – Bass (2010–?)
(also in Aryan Motika; ex‑Saint of Fear and Rage, ex‑Molnyevit, ex‑Stygian Vrkolak)
Cooper – Guitars
Nikola Angelkoski – Guitars (also in Cataclysmic Origin)
Lore and Legend – Demo (2010)
The Netheril Cycle – Demo (2010)