Wardruna is a Norwegian-based, Norse folk project founded by Einar “Kvitrafn” Selvik (of Gorgoroth fame) in 2003. He is mainly accompanied by Gaahl and Lindy Fay Hella on vocals, and the rest of the group is mainly for live performances. Their music is based on Norse spiritualism with primary focus on runes of the Elder Futhark. Kvitrafn uses the oldest of Nordic instruments and poetic metres as well as lyrics written in Norwegian, Old Norse and Proto-Norse tongue on his compositions. Balancing historical preservation and spiritual accuracy they have been involved with the Viking Ship Museum of Norway and History Channel on various projects. One of these, in 2014, they got work with the wonderful Trevor Morris (Canadian Orchestral Composer) on History Channel’s TV series “Vikings”.
To date, the project has released three full-length albums:
Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga (2009) [The Gap was Yawning]
Runaljod - Yggdrasil (2013)
Runaljod - Ragnarok (2016)
The ongoing “Runaljod” [Sound of Runes] Trilogy is a musical rendition of the 24 runes in what is often referred to as the ‘Elder Futhark’. Some of the recordings are performed outdoors or under circumstances of significance to each rune (ie. Features tree, rock, water and torch sounds). Wardruna primarily uses old, historical instruments to create their beautifully anachronic soundscapes. Instruments include; deer-hide frame drums, Kraviklyra, tagelharpe, mouth harp, goat horn, lure… etc.
Current Members:
Einar “Kvitrafn“ Selvik – lead vocals, composition
Lindy Fay Hella – vocals, flute
Gaahl (fellow Gorgoroth alum w/ Kvitrafn) – vocals [wikipedia has him listed as a former member, while official band site still has him listed as a “core member”, even with absence on 2016’s “Ragnarok”.]
Arne Sandvoll – vocals
HC Dalgaard – vocals
Eilif Gundersen – bronze lure, birchbark lure, goat horn, willow flute, ice percussion
Kjell Braaten – vocals
Former:
Hallvard Kleiveland – hardanger fiddle
For more information, please visit the following pages:
Official Site
Wikipedia Page/Discography Specifics
