From pounding out rhythms as a busker on the streets of Oslo to commanding festival stages across the globe with Leprous, Baard Kolstad’s drumming journey has been anything but ordinary. His career, marked by relentless drive and an almost compulsive work ethic, is a testament to saying “yes” to opportunity — no matter how unexpected.
Now the powerhouse behind Leprous and Rendezvous Point, Baard’s résumé reads like a tour through the many corners of modern music: talent shows, international drum competitions, high-profile collaborations with acts as varied as electronic DJs and extreme metal stalwarts Borknagar, and, ultimately, a defining role with one of progressive metal’s most innovative bands.
We sat down with Baard to break down the milestones of his career, one decision at a time, and to uncover how embracing every opportunity — no matter how unconventional — carved the path from Oslo’s pavements to prog-metal’s biggest stages.
