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 primitive deer-hide frame drums, flutes, kraviklyr, 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 at the Roadburn Festival 2015
Background information
OriginBergen, Norway
GenresNordic folk, ambient, dark folk
Years active2003–present
LabelsIndie Recordings, By Norse Music, Columbia Records (since 2019)
Associated actsGorgoroth, Sahg, Trelldom, Gaahlskagg, God Seed
Websitewardruna.com
MembersEinar Selvik
Lindy Fay Hella
Arne Sandvoll
HC Dalgaard
Eilif Gundersen
John Stenersen
Past membersGaahl
Jørgen Nyrønning

The band have released four full-length albums, the first three based on Norse mythology, the last based on the sayings of Odin from the Völuspá and other old Norse sources.

TeamRock.com described Wardruna's music as "a conjunction of the earthy, the organic and the ethereal" with "runic-based rites inhabit[ing] a frequency that once heard have always seemed just adjacent to everyday consciousness".[3]

History

Wardruna 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, 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 are now signed to the major labels Sony Music/Columbia Records and they will be going on a European concert tour from March to August 2020.[16]

In February 2020, the band announced the release of their fifth studio album in June 2020. The album will be named Kvitravn, which means White Raven.[17] The album was delayed to January 22, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members

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

Former

Discography

See also

References
  1. "Wardruna - An In Depth Interview With Brilliant Norwegian Band With Viking Roots Music". Louder Than War. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  2. "About Wardruna". Wardruna.com. Retrieved 2016-10-15.
  3. Jonathan Selzer (2016): Norse code: how Wardruna's runic trilogy transformed Norway's musical landscape, Teamrock.com
  4. 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.
  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. 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  10. "Einar Kvitrafn Selvik (Wardruna) Appearing On History Channel's Vikings". Ghost Cult Magazine.
  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. May 8, 2017. Retrieved January 23, 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. 2019-10-05. Retrieved 2020-01-28.
  17. http://www.wardruna.com/news/
  18. "Wardruna.com - News and Updates". www.wardruna.com. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  19. Blabbermouth.net - WARDRUNA Signs With INDIE RECORDINGS - Oct. 27, 2008 Archived 2011-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
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