In advance of the worldwide January 22 release of their highly anticipated fifth full-length album KVITRAVN via BY NORSE MUSIC and SONY MUSIC / COLUMBIA RECORDS, the traditional Nordic folk outfit WARDRUNA have shared a new single “Skugge.” Translated to “Shadow” in English, the song traces an eerie sonic journey voicing a dialogue between man and shadow. Its brooding introduction recalls the subtle majesty of fan favorite track “Helvegen” (from their 2013 album Runaljod – Yggdrasil) as WARDRUNA‘s idiosyncratic synthesis of hypnotic percussion and delicate vocal interplay comes to the forefront. The lyric video for “Skugge” was recorded by Ragnarok Film with producer/director Ole Fredrik Wannebo, photographer/editor Toni Kotka and Sverre Brandtzaeg. Watch it below or view it across all streaming platforms along with pre-order options for KVITRAVN HERE.
Each track on KVITRAVN is ingrained with meaning that delves deep into the philosophical, the esoteric, the Nordic myths and how old traditions define human nature and nature itself. “‘Skugge’ feels particularly personal for it shifts the focus inwards,” remarks founding member and composer EINAR SELVIK. “It is a song about shadows, echoes and the balance between seeking answers and wisdom internally and externally. The accompanying lyric video allows the listener to journey deep into Wardruna’s world and offers space for reflection and contemplation, should you submit to it…”
SELVIK was recently announced to headline the JORVIK Viking Festival–the largest Viking festival in Europe—during a special live-streamed event taking place as part of That JORVIK Viking Thing online festival from February 15-20 hosted by the JORVIK Viking Centre. He will talk about his music, demonstrate traditional Nordic instruments, and play some of WARDRUNA’s most recent music. The event will be streamed live from Norway on Saturday, February 20 at 7:30 P.M. CET. Tickets can be found at jorvikthing.com or jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk.
WARDRUNA were last seen stateside in 2018 when they sold-out a headlining show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado and are scheduled to return to North America in fall 2021; the dates and tickets can be found HERE. With a sound that must truly be experienced live, they performed their first-ever concert in front of the 1,500-year-old Gokstad Viking ship in Oslo, NO and are the only band to have ever been allowed to hold an amplified concert at the Viking ship museum. Since then, they’ve performed sold-out shows worldwide, including major festival headlining appearances (Hellfest, Roadburn, Summer Breeze, Castle Fest, Echoes & Merveilles, Rock oz Arenes, Rock The Coast, etc.).
