News
Release of New Album 'Birna' and Music Video for 'Himinndotter'
From the deep woods emerges ‘Birna’, our sixth studio album. Birna – the she-bear in Old Norse – is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature’s caretaker, and her battles here on earth. We are excited to present the song and music video for ‘Himinndotter’ (Sky-daughter) from the new record. The song constitues a search and a calling for our lost sister of the woods.
The bear frequently figures in the oldest myths of mankind in the northern hemisphere, and many indigenous people still regard this animal as a totem, honouring it with rites and songs. The title of the single plays on the globally common notion of the bears mythical origin as a celestial being. It was once our respected guardian, our guide to edible plants and berries, a creature we both feared and admired.
‘Himinndotter’ features guest appearance of the Norwegian choir Koret Artemis. The video was filmed in Rondane National Park in Norway and directed by longtime collaborator Tuukka Koski, and produced by Breakfast Helsinki and Ragnarok Film.
Birna will be released on January 24, 2025. Along with the album, we are releasing a DVD and Blu-ray ‘Live at the Acropolis’, containing our full equinox performance at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens in September 2023.
Pre-orders are now available at https://wardrunashop.com/en/
European Tour Rescheduled, New Dates Added
Amidst Wardruna's song-writing hibernation, the group resurface to offer a taste of their next album with the single release and music video for the song Hertan on April 5th!
Einar Selvik comments on the new song:
“Hertan is the proto-Scandinavian word for heart and that is exactly what we explore in this in this song and film. The duality of the heart with the rhythm, flow and pulse we can see, hear, and feel in nature and in all forms of life – and the more abstract idea of the heart, The rudder on the ship of emotions, our decisions, and our true desires.”
Once again, Wardruna teamed up with Finnish director and photographer Tuukka Koski for the video production of Hertan. Koski has previously directed Wardruna's videos for Raido, Voluspá, and Grá. This time, the production mainly took place during some freezing nights in northern Finland at the island of Hailouto.
Einar about the video shooting process:
“It is always a true pleasure to create art with Tuukka and his colleagues at Breakfast Helsinki! His experience and eye for detail as well as the ability to always conjure up next-level material, is very inspiring to be part of. Three days, three locations, no sleep but a lot of heart. This is how it went down. Hope you will enjoy the result!”
Stream the song here: https://wardruna.lnk.to/hertan
'Nordic Night' at Borgholm Castle
We are very exited to announce our next Nordic Night gathering, taking place in the magnificent 13th century castle Borgholm on the coast of Sweden, July 8, 2023.
We invite you to a full-day event including concerts, workshops and Wardruna meet & greet. Special guest and our opening act will be Norwegian Sami indigenous singer Mari Boine together with her band. Mari is a world-renowned award-winning musician. A pioneer and a legend in what she does and she has been an inspiration for Wardruna's music throughout the years.
Release Announcement: 'Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven'
We have the immense pleasure of announcing the upcoming release on April 22nd, 2022 of "Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven", an audio-visual recording that was broadcast online on March 26th, 2021, being the release show of the «Kvitravn» album. The release will be available in various digital and physical formats.
To give it wings, the live version of "Solringen" is already available in digital formats and on YouTube.
Einar comments:
"This was recorded in a time when it was not allowed to perform in front of an audience, which made it very important for me that the recording itself truly captured the energy of a live performance. What you will hear, is what we performed in that moment in that room. No re-recordings or autotune was done in the afterwork. Just like for a regular concert, the set list was carefully put together with a selection of songs from all our albums, including a handful songs from the new album, which we performed for the very first time. On the day of recording, we all stood together in the same room for the first time in over a year. Everyone came focused and well prepared and the energy felt like no time had passed. I hope you will agree!"
Pre-orders for the new release are available as limited box set, 2CD, 2LP and digital release on wardrunashop.com
European Tour Rescheduled, New Dates Added
Due to the still uncertain situation with constant changes in regulations and unique travel restrictions from country to country, we have no option but to move our European tour to 2022 and 2023. On a more positive note, we added a few extra concerts to the existing tour dates.
Two of the European Tour dates are now upgraded and part of the Nordic Night Open Air Tour! In Serbia on July 11 we now play the Tasmajdan Stadium. In Bratislava we will play at the outstanding venue of Castle Devin on July 13.
Your tickets remain valid for the new dates. If you have any questions about your ticket, please contact your ticket office.
On behalf of myself and the whole Wardruna-team, I would like to thank you for your patience, understanding, and support throughout this challenging period.
-Einar-
