Hypnotic Black Metal Band – Wardruna

Wardruna is a Norwegian band known for transforming the traditional black metal sound with their dark ambient folk genre, taking advantage of Nordic cultural roots and traditions for inspiration. Led by former Gorgoroth members, their music evokes dreams through deep sleep-inducing soundscapes.

Einar Selvik leads his band in singing songs of nature on goat horns and bone flutes while using rune-based rituals to link music, nature, region and mythology together.

Origins

Wardruna emerged from Einar Selvik’s years-long immersion into ancient Norse pagan traditions and history. Their first album, Runaljod, focused on runes as the basis for its composition while the second, Yggdrasil (after the mythological tree that connects nine realms in Norse mythology), cemented their standing. But it wasn’t until main man Selvik provided music for History Channel show Vikings that Wardruna truly made waves around the globe.

On their new album Kvitravn (Norwegian for “bear”), the group continues their exploration of sacred animist concepts and old Norse spiritualism through music. Field recordings of Norwegian nature sounds (from raven calls on opener ‘Hertan’ to seagull calls on closer ‘Skugge’) add an element of wilderness that serves as an ode to their deep-seated connections to their native landscape; its songs offer deeply meditative tunes which call to mind ideals of harmony between humankind and Mother Earth.

Sound

Einar Selvik and his band have set out on an ambitious journey to be modern ambassadors of ancient Norse culture and lore, and they succeed admirably. By breaking ancient instruments out of museums and making them relevant again for contemporary music fans. Plus drawing from Norse mythology and pagan ideology to craft engaging performances.

Nowhere between neo-folk and dark ambient, and although they might be considered Viking/pagan at first glance, their broad appeal at Kings Theatre included history buffs, metalheads and self-proclaimed modern Vikings alike – this band’s music resonated with everyone!

Kvitravn is an impressive showcase of what this band excels in and remains accessible for listeners of any musical taste. Raido begins the album serenely before becoming increasingly frantic over time – even featuring children’s voices for its last track Odal!

Lyrics

On their latest album Kvitravn (which translates to White Raven), the band explores Norse cultural and esoteric traditions while playing traditional and historical instruments – including kraviklyre, trossingen-lyre, langeleik, crwth, sootharp, taglharpa mouth harp and goat horn – found throughout Norse culture and folklore.

On “Birna”, Einar Selvik explores how modern society has left our She Bear (Ursa Major in Old Norse) forgotten and in hibernation; she serves as “Warden of the Forest,” demanding protection and care of our environment.

The message of this song is unmistakable, with music that brings images of ancient Norse culture evoking imagery of an age gone by yet still remains relevant today. Furthermore, environmental protection plays an integral role in this message due to our current climate crisis.

Influences

Music industry trends indicate a growth of bands producing folk-influenced by Nordic Spiritualism. Examples include Norwegian acts like Gate, who blend folk and metal music together, Lumsk who utilize Sami joik roots, but one of the most interesting is Wardruna who have created their unique sound by drawing from ancient Norse mythology and paganism.

Einar Selvik founded the band after becoming immersed in Norway’s pre-Christian culture, seeking to craft music that fostered new growth while strengthening ancient Nordic European traditions. This vision would become their band ethos that guided their career for decades after.

Selvik plays various traditional instruments including lyre, taglharpa and moraharpe. He collaborates regularly with Lindy-Fay Hella (vocals) and Eilif Gundersen of Lur on goat horn, flute and willow flute. Together they have recorded three albums named after runes (Runaljod-Gap Var Ginnunga 2009 / 2013/ Ragnarok 2016). These albums embody elements of animism and panpsychism into their music.