Einar Kvitrafn Selvik: Founder of Wardruna. Writes all music and lyrics, sings and plays most of the instruments [Bak De Syv Fjell, Det Hedenske Folk, Gorgoroth, Jotunspor, Sahg, Wardruna, Ildkrig, Mortify, Sigfader, Skuggsjá, Dead to This World, Malice in Wonderland] Lindy-Fay Hella: Vocals Gaahl (Kristian Eivind Espedal): Vocals. Conceptual contributions [Gaahlskagg, God Seed, Gorgoroth, Trelldom, Wardruna, Sigfader]
"Wardruna is a Norwegian music group founded by Einar Kvitrafn Selvik. In 2009 Wardruna enchanted their listeners with their mesmerizing debut album ‘gap var Ginnunga’, which also was the first part of a planned trilogy. In the ensuing years the group have spent a lot of time on adapting their music to a live format and establishing a live band. This resulting in a handful of very special concerts, perhaps most notably when they performed in front of the majestic 1100-year-old Gokstad ship at the Viking Ship Museum in Norway.
With the use of the oldest of Nordic instruments and poetic metres as well as lyrics written in Norwegian, Old Norse and Proto-Norse tongue, Wardruna is now, after nearly three years in the making, finally ready to return with the second album in the ‘Runaljod’ trilogy entitled ‘Yggdrasil’. Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Einar Kvitrafn Selvik has, together with vocalists Kristian Espedal (aka Gaahl) and Lindy-Fay Hella, managed to make a strikingly beautiful and intense continuation of what was started with their first album, but without falling into the trap of merely repeating themselves. ‘Yggdrasil’ is also graced with guest appearances by renowned Icelandic composer Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson and Iceland’s leading rímur singer Steindór Andersen.
The ongoing ‘Runaljod’ trilogy is a musical rendition of the 24 runes in what is often referred to as the elder futhark. Some of the recordings are done outdoors in places or under circumstances of significance to each rune. Wardruna primarily use old and historical instruments such as primitive deer-hide frame drums, Kraviklyra, tagelharpe, mouth harp, goat horn, lur and more. Non-traditional instruments and other sources of sound like trees, rocks, water and torches are also used.
All of these elements are carefully woven into a rich musical landscape and complemented with whispering voices, melodic song and mighty choirs. Although Wardruna’s music share characteristics with music typically labeled as folk, world and/or ambient, none of these genres can really describe their unique style. It truly must be experienced."
"The music of Wardruna was featured in a 5-part internet-exclusive mini-documentary about Gaahl entitled "True Norwegian Black Metal" and can be found on YouTube. It was also featured in the TV series Vikings for US History Channel."
Runaljod - Gap Var Ginnunga - Indie Recordings 2009 Runaljod – Yggdrasil - Indie Recordings 2013 Anilah, Wardruna - Warrior (File, FLAC) Not On Label none 2015
Credits Hardingfele [Hardanger Fiddle] – Hallvard Kleiveland (tracks: 7, 10) Instruments, Sounds – Kvitrafn Liner Notes – Kvitrafn Mastered By – Kvitrafn, Morten Lund Mixed By – Herbrand Larsen, Kvitrafn Photography By [All Other Photographs], Illustration – Øivind Photography By [Page 12] – Paco Espinoza Photography By [Page 14] – sbv033 Photography By [Page 6] – Christian Selchow Photography By [Page 8] – Lothar Knopp Recorded By, Engineer – Kvitrafn Vocals – Gaahl, Kvitrafn, Lindy Fay Hella Written-By, Arranged By – Kvitrafn
Notes Released in jewelcase with a slipcase.
Recorded and engineered at Fimbuljóð studio and various outdoor locations, 2003-2008. Mixed at Fimbuljóð studio. Mastered at Masterhuset.
Part 1 in the Runaljod-trilogy - music inspired by the 24 runes of the elder ᚠᚢþᚨᚱᚲ (futhark - runic alphabet). Each part deals with 8 runes. The runes explored on part 1 are ᚺ (H), ᛒ (B), þ (TH), ᛃ (J), ᛚ (L), ᚲ (K), ᛉ (Z), ᛞ (D).
I took a few shots from the live show in Sofia on 25th this month. Not full songs, but it's the best you can get from that event on you tube. I mean few people even bother to upload what they captured. I don't! Here they are:
Label: Not On Label – none Format: File, FLAC Country: Canada Released: 22 Jan 2015 Genre: Rock, Folk, World, & Country Style: Neofolk
Tracklist
1 Warrior (Revisited) 11:39
Credits Artwork By – Simon Haiduk Drums – Lee Campese Mixed By, Engineer, Guitar, Synthesizer – Kevin Thiessen Voice, Composed By, Synthesizer – Dréa Drury Voice, Strings, Percussion, Composed By – Einar Selvik
Notes Warrior Revisited: a collaboration with Einar Selvik of Wardruna.
This song was composed on Cortes Island, a remote community off the west coast of Canada. The composition is meant to accompany ceremony and ritual, in whatever form the listener chooses.
Reasoning lets go and I am propelled in to you My Skin widening...
Reasoning lets go and I am propelled into you
Hands and arms grow and I release what must go My skin widening to feel your angelic arms
((Come close so that I can melt into you)) Come Close…
Reasoning lets go and I am propelled in to you My skin widening to your angelic arms Leaving this weight behind My spine becomes light
((Clean my senses so that I can hear you clearly))
Reasoning lets go and I am propelled into you hands and eyes grow and i release what must go
My Skin widening... to feel your angelic arms
<< Warriors move gracefully >>
We lay down our weapons at your feet take us with grace to the other field
Can we Lay down our weapons and the tired intellect rise above and...
((Bring me Grace))
I know you Can.
(Einar's Norse choral lyrics translated: Unharmed to the battle, Unharmed from the battle, Unharmed wherever they go)
Label: ByNorse Music – BNM007 Format: Vinyl, 10", Single Sided, EP, Etched Country: Norway Released: 20 Oct 2017 Genre: Folk, World, & Country Style: Folk
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Fimbulljóð Studio Mastered At – Fascination Street Studios
Credits Composed By – Einar Selvik Mastered By – Tony Lindren Photography By – Tuukka Koski
Notes 10-inch vinyl with etched B-side, available exclusively in Wardruna’s online stores and at the last show of their 2017 European tour
"This two track EP from Wardruna’s founder Einar Selvik contains an acoustic version as well as the complete studio version of his much requested piece "Snake Pit Poetry", written for History Channel´s VIKINGS and Ragnar Lothbrok's fatal encounter with a Northumbrian Snake pit in season IV.
The song features the extraordinary talent of Icelandic singer Hilda Örvarsdottir, a featured soloists on film scores such as Man of Steel (Hans Zimmer), The Eagle, Babylon AD, Mortal Instruments, Colette (Atli Örvarsson) and 300: Rise of an Empire (Junkie XL)."