Wardruna | |
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 Wardruna performing in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Bergen, Norway |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels |
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| Spinoff of | Gorgoroth |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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| Website | wardruna |
Wardruna is a Norwegian music group formed in 2003 byEinar Selvik along withGaahl andLindy-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 includingdeer-hideframe drums,flutes,kraviklyra,tagelharpe,mouth harp,goat horn, andlur. 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 ofOdin from theVöluspá and other old Norse sources. The name Wardruna means "the guardian of secrets" or "she who whispers".[3]
Wardruna was formed in 2003. Selvik and Gaahl were both previously members ofGorgoroth, appearing together on the albumTwilight of the Idols and the live DVDBlack 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, andFaun.[6][4] Gaahl also recorded withTrelldom,Gaahlskagg, andGod Seed.[7]
The group's debut album,Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga, was released on 19 January 2009 by Indie Recordings and followed byRunaljod – 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 ofVikings along withTrevor 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 ofVikings, the album debuted at No. 1 onBillboard's World Albums chart.[12]
In August 2017, Wardruna headlined the 20thalternative music,folk music, andexperimental music festivalMėnuo 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 acousticSkald, was released on 23 November 2018.[15]
In October 2019, Wardruna announced they had signed to major labelsSony Music/Columbia Records.[16] The band released their fifth studio album in January 2021, namedKvitravn, which means "white raven".[17] This was followed by the live albumKvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven in early 2022.[18]
Wardruna's tours for 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The band returned to touring in 2022, with European and North American shows as well as a performance atMidgardsblot.[19]
The band launched their 2024/2025 world tour atRed Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, US.[20] In September 2024, they announced their upcoming sixth studio album, titledBirna, set to be released on 25 January 2025.[21]
Jonathan Selzer ofMetal 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 ofKerrang! magazine wrote that "Wardruna may be at odds with the modern world, but, perhaps, they are exactly what the modern world needs."[23]
Current
Past
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