Wardruna – Runaljod – Ragnarok (By Norse Music, 2016)
The music of Wardruna takes you to an intriguing era in the Nordic regions of Europe. On Runaljod – Ragnarok, the Norwegian musicians combine early Scandinavian musical instruments with contemporary sounds. It’s a fascinating sound that incorporates trance-like drones, mesmerizing chants, distant horns, and rhythms that give you an image of cadenced rowing.
This album is the third part of a trilogy of recordings that interpreted the 24 olden Nordic runes. The first two segments of the trilogy were Runaljod – gap var Ginnunga (2009) and Runaljod – Yggdrasil (2013).
The artist behind the project is multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter Einar Selvik, who used to play drums in heavy metal bands. He’s developed the Wardruna hybrid sound that integrates acoustic world music, trance electronics and a Dead Can Dance-sensibility. Selvik uses a wide range of musical instruments; the most captivating are the rare kraviklyra (a medieval lyre, considered one of the oldest instruments in Norway), taglharpe (a Viking-era horse hair bowed harp), goat horns, birchbark lures (a long wooden horn tied with birch bark), and deer-hide frame drums. Selvik’s music was used in the popular Vikings TV series.
Although there is continuity between the chapters of the trilogy, Runaljod – Ragnarok introduces additional elements such as bronze lures, guest performances by Einar’s children and the Skarvebarna children’s choir.
Runaljod – Ragnarok was composed, recorded and produced by Einar Selvik at his Fimbulljóð studio. The lineup includes Einar Selvik on vocals, taglharpe, kraviklyra, goat horn, tongue horn, bronze lure, flutes, drums, percussion and electronics; Lindy-Fay Hella on vocals; Eilif Gundersen on bronze lure, birchbark lure, goat horn, willow flute and ice percussion; Arne Sandvoll on vocals; HC Dalgaard on vocals; Kjell Braaten on vocals; Ask Einarson Nybro and Tuva J. Einarsdatter Nybro on vocals; and the Skarvebarna Children’s Choir conducted by Ingjerd Almås Arnfinset.
Selvik will present the Runaljod trilogy workshop titled “The Thoughts and Tools Behind Wardruna” presented by Scandinavia House and Gramercy Theatre on December 9-10.
Runaljod – Ragnarok is a spellbinding recording by one of the most talented artists in the Norwegian music scene.
Buy Runaljod – Ragnarok in the Americas
Buy Runaljod – Ragnarok in Europe
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
