Wardruna Release New Album Kvitravn Today!
Wardruna's anticipated new album Kvitravn is finally upon us, released worldwide today!
The album has entered the Australian iTunes Main Chart at #2 and is #1 on the Australian
World Music Chart!!
“We are very happy to finally share this long-overdue album with you all. In this past period leading up to the release, it has been truly overwhelming to see how well you have received the songs we have shared so far. We sincerely hope you will enjoy the rest! For me personally, this album represents a natural continuation and development of everything we have done so far. Through experience, reflection and hungry curiosity, we potentially continue to grow as humans, scholars and musicians and with this constant movement, our ability to dive deeper into our work also grows. More clearly than before, does this album and its songs address us as humans in our own time. And even though the songs convey ways and words originating from a distant past, they are still just as much ways and words for the “now”. They are ideas born out of the very grounds we still tread, which is also what gives them the ability to speak to- and resonate within us still. Let us listen carefully, and sow or reaffirm the idea or attitude that nature is something sacred.” -Einar-
Kvitravn marks a distinct evolution in Wardruna's sound. The album features a broad selection of both traditional and historical instruments such as Kravik-lyre, Trossingen-lyre, Taglharpa, Sotharpa, Langeleik, Crwth, Goat-horn, Lur, Bronze-lur, flute, Moraharpa and the record also features guest appearances by a small group of prominent traditional singers, spearheaded by Kirsten Bråten Berg, one of the most important custodians of Norwegian traditional song. Throughout eleven songs, Kvitravn discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs.
The authenticity of their performance, the epic visual landscapes and symbolic animals evoked by the music and lyrics have been showcased in several jaw-dropping videos - some reaching viewers in their millions.
Starting with the starkly beautiful, minimalist and arguably most political piece, "Grá" - an ode to the wolf, and a reminder that humans and creatures have existed side-by-side in a mutual, though wary, relationship.
The video for the title track "Kvitravn" reveals a powerful narrative centred around this sacred, elusive creature, and namesake of the album. Einar Selvik revealed in a special Solstice broadcast of the Skaldic version of album track "Andvevarljod - Song of the Spirit-weavers" that this particular piece was the starting point for the entire album, and explores the Nordic deities of fate; the Norns, the spinning of life threads and the Norse and Sámi common idea that a person's spirit is connected to wind, both before and after birth.
Most recently the lyric video for "Skugge", recalling the subtle majesty of fan-favourite "Helvegen, gazes inward, about seeking answers and wisdom internally. Finally, stand-alone single "Lyfjaberg" (not appearing on the album) is a powerful reminder of some valuable Norse wisdom, "To climb the Healing-mountain is a journey for the mind and spirit as much as the feet and body. Anything of true value, comes at a true cost." - Einar Selvik
For those looking to delve even deeper into Wardruna's world, we recommend a four part mini-documentary series which can be viewed on the band's Youtube channel. In these four short pieces, Einar guides the viewer more deeply into the thoughts, processes and inspiration behind the music.
Tickets for Einar Selvik's special live-streamed event as part of That JORVIK Viking Thing online festival on Saturday 20 February 2021, 7.30pm CET, can be booked online at jorvikthing.com and jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk
Wardruna's luxury ethical Wardruna candle collaboration with the new company 2204 is out today.
Available to order here.
Kvitravn is available physically in Australia in the following formats
CD Jewelcase with slipcase and 28-pages booklet
Black 2x12" 180 gr. LP, gatefold, 28-pages booklet
Available now from
nervegas.com.au/wardruna
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ABOUT WARDRUNA
Kvitravn musically continues where the Runaljod trilogy left off, yet it marks a distinct evolution in Wardruna's unique sound. In a rich musical tapestry, Wardruna use a broad selection of both traditional and historical instruments such as Kravik-lyre, Trossingen-lyre, Taglharpa, Sootharp, Langeleik, Crwth, Goat- horn, Lur, Bronze-lur, flute, Moraharpa, and the record also features guest appearances by a small group of prominent traditional singers, spearheaded by Kirsten Bråten Berg, one of the most important custodians of Norwegian traditional song. Throughout eleven songs, Kvitravn discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs.
The Norwegian music constellation Wardruna are renowned for their innovative and genre-creating renditions of older Nordic traditions. Composer Einar Selvik initiated the group in the early 2000s. Since the debut album in 2009, Wardruna have had vast worldwide success, transcending music genres, cultures and languages. The group has previously charted in both Germany and the UK and topped the North American Billboard World-music chart for several consecutive weeks. The group's massive musical contributions to History Channel's TV series VIKINGS has exposed their music to a broad audience worldwide. Wardruna merges the academic with the pop cultural and their thorough and serious approach has made them one of today’s foremost communicators of Norse culture.
Wardruna have carved a rich, polyphonic and dramatic musical landscape that honours the ancient past without gimmick, whilst simultaneously illuminating meaningful expressions of Norse tradition through intrinsically detailed contemporary composition. Beyond genre, theirs is a sound that must be truly experienced.
• Top international scholars on Old Norse studies today use Einar's work to exemplify how music might have been executed in earlier times in Scandinavia.
• Einar Selvik has lectured about his work with historical music in Universities such as Oxford, Denver, Reykjavik, and Bergen.
• Wardruna has over 60 placements of music in the History Channel's hit TV series VIKINGS, in addition to substantial work on the actual music score of the show. Einar Selvik has starred and performed on the show on two occasions (in season 3 & 4).
• Together with Enslaved, Wardruna was in 2014 commissioned by the Norwegian government to write and perform a music-piece for the 200-year anniversary of the Norwegian constitution.
• First concert was held in front of the near 1500 year old Gokstad Viking ship in Oslo and Wardruna is the only band ever to be allowed to hold an amplified concert at the Viking ship museum.
• Performed sold out shows worldwide, including major festival headline appearances (Red Rock Amphitheatre, Castle Fest, Hellfest, Summer Breeze, Roadburn, Echoes & Merveilles, Rock oz Arenes, Rock the Coast and many more)
• Independently self-released 3 albums
• Billboard World Music No 1. in the US and Canada
Wardruna discography:
Runaljod - gap var Ginnunga (2009)
Runaljod - Yggdrasil (2013)
Runaljod - Ragnarok (2016)
Skald (2018)
Kvitravn (2020)
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