Wardruna - Birna - review
Wardruna - Birna - review
Tracklist
01. Hertan02. Birna
03. Ljos Til Jord
04. Dvaledraumar
05. Jord Til Ljos
06. Himinndotter
07. Hibjørnen
08. Skuggehesten
09. Tretale
10. Lyfjaberg
A review by
musclassia January 25, 2025
Thanks in part to their contributions to the soundtrack of the TV show Vikings, Wardruna are arguably the name in contemporary Nordic folk, particularly within a metal scene that also knows them for their connections to acts such as Gorgoroth and Enslaved. It’s a well-earned reputation, however, one built upon the strength of the Runaljod trilogy and more recently Kvitravn. Four years on, Einar Selvik and Lindy-Fay Hella have completed another album cycle by creating Birna, dedicated to the she-bear of Old Norse, although curiously, the album concludes with “Lyfjaberg”, a single that predates the release of Kvitravn.
It is the beginning, rather than the end, that first draws one’s attention, however. Hibernation is a central feature to the album’s concept, and the heartbeat of a dormant bear can be heard across the album; still, the heartbeat rhythm opening “Hertan” is clearly not one of rest. This song is keenly alive in its spirit, encapsulating everything that makes Wardruna so transportive: huge percussion, impressively elaborate vocal arrangements of many forms, spiritual drones, stirring harmonies and beautiful folk melodies. Much like the title track of Kvitravn, “Hertan” is a song that makes a strong impression very early on; the drama and emotion in the various vocal lines and chants in the song’s second half are truly mesmerizing, ranking among the most impactful the group have ever crafted.
I think “Hertan” ranks among the greatest songs written by the band; the album that follows does continue to demonstrate Wardruna’s high standards, but in truth, I do find that as a complete experience, it perhaps falls ever so slightly short of its predecessor, or the likes of Runaljod - Ragnarok. All albums from this band broadly fall within the same ballpark when it comes to runtime, but Birna perhaps has a greater tendency to drag. I feel part of that may come from having “Dvaledraumar” so early in the tracklist; the title of this 15-minute track, which translates to ‘dormant dreams’, makes evident that it conceptually is based on hibernation, so it makes sense for it to be quiet and sparse, but that does mean it will test the patience of some listeners even more than some previous efforts. It’s a song that both is built upon and demands patience, as it flickers between near-ambience and (relatively) more substantial arrangements; for me, I find the vocals when they come to be soothing, and the acoustic strings are quite enchanting, but I do find it makes active listening to the album a bit more tedious than it really needs to.
“Dvaledraumar” is certainly the most subdued that Wardruna get on Birna, but it’s not entirely alone; later on, “Hibjørnen” (yes, again hibernation-themed) carries on the legacy of Skald by having Selvik alone with his voice and a lyre (save some occasional vocal harmonizing). Selvik is capable of creating beauty from minimalism, but I’m sure I’m not alone in finding that my attraction to Wardruna’s music is most strongest when many voices and instruments are crafting grand hymns, and the highlights of Birna beyond “Hertan” come in this form too.
While I’m not sure it will manage quite the same legacy as “Kvitravn”, the title track of this new album is a strong one; it’s quite subdued to begin with, giving Hella centre stage, and it never quite explodes, but Hella and Selvik’s voices ebb and flow in intensity, matching the energy of the song and delivering stirring melodies. Those hoping for something more up-tempo will enjoy the lively rhythm of "Ljos Til Jord", as well as the flute, dancing on the wind. Later in the tracklist, “Himinndotter” takes time to spring to life, but when the emphatic drum rhythms kick in and Hella’s voice soars above animalistic chants, it effectively draws the listener in, while “Skuggehesten” has a clanging heaviness to its primal rhythm and half-sung, half-spoken vocals. To round the record out, it is fitting that a song of “Lyfjaberg” has eventually found a home, and its processional march offers a satisfying finality to the record.
As mentioned earlier, I’m not sure I see Birna going down as the pinnacle of Wardruna’s work, but it is a very welcome way in which to break the silence of the past few years, and it further cements the band’s legacy as a true heavyweight within Nordic folk.
Written on 25.01.2025 by
Written on 25.01.2025 by
Hey chief let's talk why not Comments
Comments:
2
Visited by
82 users
|
Posts: 1176  |
Posts: 1176
Last night I couldn’t sleep so I went out to the fire pit in my backyard and turned on this album as I sat there in the cold. After about 30 minutes it started to rain slightly as Skuggehesten was coming on and it felt surreal. This is a style I have to really be in the right mood to enjoy, but last night it was perfect and a magical first listen to this album. Enjoyed your write up and despite hearing all their work I’m not very familiar with the history of the band so it was educational as well
---- 2026 Favorites
Loading...
|
|
Posts: 202  |
Posts: 202
I think of the album as being something like shamanic incubation - wrapping yourself in an animal skin and sleeping in a sacred space to connect with the spirit of the animal and gain insights from other levels of being. That middle, hibernation section that you describe here feels to me sort of like slipping into sleep, with those short bits of dreams that never go anywhere before the really significant dreams start to take hold. And, yeah, Skuggehesten kicks ass. That's a horse with an attitude that makes you hold on.
---- When you change yourself, you change the world
Loading...
|
Hits total: 2146 | This month: 1