There is just so much to decipher when it comes to incorporating Norse-themed references into the creative process of a sonic craftsmanship; either it is in a mythological, esoteric, or cosmological sense– the discourses may vary from the dead warriors called Einherjar who Valkyries brought to Valhalla, the nine realms of Yggdrasil which started off as a primordial void called Ginnungagap, the great winter that preceded Ragnarok which is Fimbulvetr, to the trance-like state of the Berserkers which is called Berserkrgang.. I’m pretty sure many bands –especially the ones surrounding the Nordic Folk and Metal scene– have immensely covered the said topics enough already. But Wardruna is one of the precursors among the niche of Norse-themed music. It just appears to me that they have succeeded in making the very topics of ancient Norse cultural and esoteric traditions feel familiar towards those who are initially not deeply invested in the culture. Wardruna isn’t just some regular ordinary Norse-themed Folk collective; their musical trajectory is a testament of how profoundly well-versed they are when it comes to exploring their roots; the sorcery, the runes, the rites of passage, and the traditions.
Now there emerges a faint light that is far from transient, coming straight out of the deep dark woods – in the form of visceral sounds; Wardruna’s sixth studio album entitled Birna –which translates to “she-bear” in Old Norse, out via By Norse and Sony Music. For context, the label By Norse was founded by one of Wardruna’s masterminds Einar Selvik (a.k.a Kvitrafn) and Ivar Bjørnson of Enslaved fame, and the label was indeed meant to specifically distribute the exposure of Norwegian art and music across the world, which makes it even more relevant. Einar Selvik has always emphasized on the discourse of Nordic nature throughout his years of experimenting with Wardruna, and Birna is also one of the albums where his affinity towards the ever-changing terms of nature is being discussed.
The whole thematic premise of Birna tells of the narrative of a Norse she-bear and her constant battles against modern-day societies. It is explained in the whole narrative that the rhythm of the bear itself is an embodiment of the circle of life; which is an interesting passage. The sounds are also ever-cinematic, combining nuances of the ancient times with modern soundscapes– consistent on retaining their use of traditional Nordic instruments to keep the very heritage of the North intact. This whole album sounds like it’s coming straight out of a folklore fantasy RPG set somewhere in a realm where the elves chant hymns every solstice.
The creative process that Einar Selvik underwent manifests in a philosophy that explains how to give place to something new, we must let something else die in the process– which resonates with the concept of the rites of passage. In every rite of passage, we give up a part of ourselves for it to be changed into something new. And that’s kind of an ethereal, introspective principle that matches the distinctive folkish sounds of Birna very well.
Buy the album here:
https://bio.to/Wardruna
9/10
RALKA SKJERSETH
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