Wardruna Explained

Background:group_or_band
Wardruna
Landscape:yes
Origin:Bergen, Norway
Years Active:2003–present
Spinoff Of:Gorgoroth
Current Members:
Past Members:
  • Gaahl
  • Jørgen Nyrønning

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]

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

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, Bak de Syv Fjell, Jotunspor, Sahg, Dead to this World, Skuggsjá, and Faun.[6] 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 Billboards 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]

Reception

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".[20] 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."[21]

Band members

Current

Past

Discography

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Wardruna - An In Depth Interview With Brilliant Norwegian Band With Viking Roots Music. 23 August 2013. Louder Than War. 2 August 2017. en-GB.
  2. Web site: About Wardruna. Wardruna.com. 15 October 2016.
  3. Web site: Interview: Wardruna – Secrets of the Runes. wardruna.com. 19 March 2021.
  4. Metal: The Definitive Guide by Garry Sharpe-Young (Jawbone Press, 2007)
  5. Web site: Gorgoroth: Black Mass Krakow 2004. DVD Talk. 4 November 2018.
  6. Web site: Video: Faun and Einar Selvik perform "Odin" — Noizr. Noizr, Site by. Annexare.com. Noizr.com. 4 November 2018.
  7. Web site: Unleashing Satan: An Evening with Gaahl. 25 November 2013. Metalblast.net. 4 November 2018.
  8. Web site: WARDRUNA's Music In 'Vikings' TV Series. Metalkaoz.com.
  9. News: WARDRUNA Music Featured In HISTORY CHANNEL Series 'Vikings'. 7 March 2013. Blabbermouth.net. 2 August 2017. en-US.
  10. Web site: Einar Kvitrafn Selvik (Wardruna) Appearing On History Channel's Vikings. Ghost Cult Magazine. 15 February 2015 .
  11. Web site: Gaahl No Longer Performing Live With Wardruna. Metalundergorund.com.
  12. http://www.thelocal.no/20161101/norwegian-band-rides-vikings-success-to-top-of-billboard-chart Norwegian band rides ‘Vikings' success to top of Billboard chart
  13. News: 20th fable of Mėnuo Juodaragis tells of God of Thunder and Wardruna. 8 May 2017. Delfi. BNS EN. 23 January 2018.
  14. Web site: Wardruna announce North American tour; singer releasing solo EP. Brooklynvegan.com. 4 November 2018.
  15. Web site: Wardruna New Album 'Skald' Now Available for Pre-Orders! – By Norse. Bynorse.com. 4 November 2018.
  16. Web site: Wardruna Sign To Sony Music/Columbia And Announce Tour Dates For 2020 • TotalRock. 5 October 2019. TotalRock. en-GB. 28 January 2020.
  17. Web site: Wardruna.com – News. www.wardruna.com.
  18. Web site: Wardruna to Unleash Live Album 'Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven'. www.folknrock.com.
  19. Web site: Wardruna 2022 setlists. www.setlist.fm.
  20. Jonathan Selzer (2016): Norse code: how Wardruna's runic trilogy transformed Norway's musical landscape
  21. Web site: Album review: Wardruna – Kvitravn. Kerrang!.
  22. Web site: Wardruna.com - News and Updates. www.wardruna.com. 22 March 2018.
  23. Web site: Blabbermouth.net - WARDRUNA Signs With INDIE RECORDINGS - Oct. 27, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20110606063920/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=107772. dead. 6 June 2011.