Nordic folk band Wardruna postponed the release of their next album, Kvitravn, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of June 5, the album shall now see the light of the day only on January 22, 2021. As one might guess, production factories are closing or reducing their services all around the world, making it impossible for the band to release Kvitravn on the planned date.
As a consequence of not being sure when the situation will get any better, Wardruna decided to pick a more realistic date for the release, which will happen under the label By Norse Music.
To compensate the fans, the band announced that they will reveal several of the songs before the album comes out. And if the single Grá is any indication, we can expect one more excellent work by this Norwegian legendary group.
See also: Wardruna reveals video with Aurora singing ‘Helvegen’ live
The Norwegians’ fifth album will feature eleven tracks and will be released on CD and vinyl. Its title, Kvitravn, means “White Raven” and is a variant of the name adopted by vocalist and instrumentalist Einar Selvik since his days as drummer of the black metal band Gorgoroth.
The lyrics of the songs will address topics such as Nordic witchcraft, animal spirits, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Nordic spiritual concepts, as well as the relationship between sage and songs.
The release promises to follow the musical vein adopted in the Runaljod trilogy, but embracing the musical evolution of the group over the years. Their most recent release, Skald, followed a more minimalist (or scaldic) musicality, closer to what we could expect of the music of the Viking Age.
Kvitravn | Wardruna | By Norse Music
See also: Wardruna reveals a powerful ‘Rotlaust Tre Fell’ live video
To achieve their trademark sonority, Wardruna took several historical and traditional instruments to the studio. Among them, the Kravik lyre, the Trossingen lyre, taglharpa, sotharpa, langeleik, crwth, goat horn, lur, bronze lur, flute and moraharpa. The recording also featured a group of traditional Norwegian singers led by Kirsten Bråten Berg.
Selvik made some comments concerning the release.
“To recite and copy the past is not very difficult, but to understand and integrate ancient thoughts, tools and methods with real purpose into a creation that is relevant to the modern era is truly challenging and remains our prime goal in our work. Although the album carries a variant of my own totemic artist name, it has, in this context, little to do with me but rather refers to the symbolism and legends of sacred white animals found in Nordic and other cultures all over the world.
These highly regarded ghostly creatures, whether a raven, snake, bear, moose, reindeer, elephant or lion – are in animist traditions seen as prophetic, divine messengers, and guardians representing renewal, purity and a bridge between worlds.”
See also: Lindy-Fay Hella | Wardruna singer releases solo music video
Tracklist
1. Synkverv
2. Kvitravn
3. Skugge
4. Grá
5. Fylgjutal
6. Munin
7. Kvit hjort
8. Viseveiding
9. Ni
10. Vindavlarljod
11. Andvevarljod
Links
| Website | Facebook | Twitter |
| Instagram | YouTube | Vimeo |
| VK | Soundcloud | Spotify |
Playlists
| Complete Discography |
| Northern Echoes |
| Einar Selvik |
| Futhark |
