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Wardruna

Wardruna is a Norwegian music group formed in 2003 by Einar Selvik along with Gaahl and Lindy-Fay Hella.[1] They are dedicated to creating musical renditions of Norse cultural and esoteric traditions, and make significant use of Nordic historical and traditional instruments including deer-hide frame drums, flutes, kraviklyra, tagelharpe, mouth harp, goat horn, and lur. Non-traditional instruments and other sources of sound like trees, rocks, water, and torches are also used.[2]

Wardruna
Wardruna performing in 2015
Wardruna performing in 2015
Background information
OriginBergen, Norway
Genres
Years active2003–present
Labels
Spinoff ofGorgoroth
Members
Past members
Websitewardruna.com

The band have released five full-length albums, the first three based on Norse runes, the fourth based on the sayings of Odin from the Völuspá and other old Norse sources. The name Wardruna means "the guardian of secrets" or "she who whispers".[3]

History

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Wardruna was formed in 2003. Selvik and Gaahl were both previously members of Gorgoroth, appearing together on the album Twilight of the Idols and the live DVD Black Mass Krakow 2004.[4][5] Selvik had also recorded with other projects including Det Hedenske Folk,[4] Bak de Syv Fjell, Jotunspor, Sahg, Dead to this World, Skuggsjá, and Faun.[6][4] Gaahl also recorded with Trelldom, Gaahlskagg, and God Seed.[7]

The group's debut album, Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga, was released on 19 January 2009 by Indie Recordings and followed by Runaljod – Yggdrasil on 15 March 2013.

In 2014, Selvik announced on the group's official Facebook page that they would take part in composing the score for season 2 of Vikings along with Trevor Morris.[8][9] He later appeared as an actor on the show.[10] In 2015, Gaahl left Wardruna on amicable terms.[11]

Wardruna's third album, Runaljod – Ragnarok, was released on 21 October 2016. Thanks in part to the success of Vikings, the album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's World Albums chart.[12]

In August 2017, Wardruna headlined the 20th alternative music, folk music, and experimental music festival Mėnuo Juodaragis in Dūburys Lake, Lithuania.[13] In early 2018, they embarked on their first tour of North America.[14]

The band's fourth album, the acoustic Skald, was released on 23 November 2018.[15]

In October 2019, Wardruna announced they had signed to major labels Sony Music/Columbia Records.[16] The band released their fifth studio album in January 2021, named Kvitravn, which means "white raven".[17] This was followed by the live album Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven in early 2022.[18]

Wardruna's tours for 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The band returned to touring in 2022, with European and North American shows as well as a performance at Midgardsblot.[19]

The band launched their 2024/2025 world tour at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, US.[20] In September 2024, they announced their upcoming sixth studio album, titled Birna, set to be released on 25 January 2025.[21]

Reception

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Jonathan Selzer of Metal Hammer magazine described Wardruna's music as "a conjunction of the earthy, the organic and the ethereal" with "runic-based rites inhabiting a frequency that once heard have always seemed just adjacent to everyday consciousness".[22] Hannah May Kilroy of Kerrang! magazine wrote that "Wardruna may be at odds with the modern world, but, perhaps, they are exactly what the modern world needs."[23]

Band members

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Current

  • Einar "Kvitrafn" Selvik – vocals, all instruments, composer
  • Lindy-Fay Hella – vocals, flute
  • Arne Sandvoll – backing vocals, percussion
  • HC Dalgaard – backing vocals, percussion, drums
  • Eilif Gundersen – horns, flutes
  • John Stenersen – moraharpa

Past

Discography

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wardruna - An In Depth Interview With Brilliant Norwegian Band With Viking Roots Music". Louder Than War. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  2. ^ "About Wardruna". Wardruna.com. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  3. ^ "Interview: Wardruna – Secrets of the Runes". wardruna.com. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Metal: The Definitive Guide by Garry Sharpe-Young (Jawbone Press, 2007)
  5. ^ "Gorgoroth: Black Mass Krakow 2004". DVD Talk. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  6. ^ Annexare.com, Noizr, Site by. "Video: Faun and Einar Selvik perform "Odin" — Noizr". Noizr.com. Retrieved 4 November 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Unleashing Satan: An Evening with Gaahl". Metalblast.net. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  8. ^ "WARDRUNA's Music In 'Vikings' TV Series". Metalkaoz.com.
  9. ^ "WARDRUNA Music Featured In HISTORY CHANNEL Series 'Vikings'". Blabbermouth.net. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Einar Kvitrafn Selvik (Wardruna) Appearing On History Channel's Vikings". Ghost Cult Magazine. 15 February 2015.
  11. ^ "Gaahl No Longer Performing Live With Wardruna". Metalundergorund.com.
  12. ^ Norwegian band rides 'Vikings' success to top of Billboard chart, TheLocal.no
  13. ^ "20th fable of Mėnuo Juodaragis tells of God of Thunder and Wardruna". Delfi. BNS EN. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  14. ^ "Wardruna announce North American tour; singer releasing solo EP". Brooklynvegan.com. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Wardruna New Album 'Skald' Now Available for Pre-Orders! – By Norse". Bynorse.com. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Wardruna Sign To Sony Music/Columbia And Announce Tour Dates For 2020 • TotalRock". TotalRock. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Wardruna.com – News". www.wardruna.com.
  18. ^ "Wardruna to Unleash Live Album 'Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven'". www.folknrock.com.
  19. ^ "Wardruna 2022 setlists". www.setlist.fm.
  20. ^ "Wardruna Red Rocks Setlist". setlist.fm.
  21. ^ "Norse folk shamen Wardruna announce new album Birna with single Himinndotter". loudersound.com. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  22. ^ Jonathan Selzer (2016): Norse code: how Wardruna's runic trilogy transformed Norway's musical landscape
  23. ^ "Album review: Wardruna – Kvitravn". Kerrang!.
  24. ^ "Wardruna.com - News and Updates". www.wardruna.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  25. ^ "Blabbermouth.net - WARDRUNA Signs With INDIE RECORDINGS - Oct. 27, 2008". Archived from the original on 6 June 2011.
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