WARDRUNA

Gap Var Ginnunga

Indie Recordings/ CD 2009

WARDRUNA is another creation on the scene that pays tribute to Nordic folk music inheritance. To describe that project in best possible way, I have to quote words of band's founder: "WARDRUNA is a Norwegian musical constellation set out to explore and evoke the depths of Norse wisdom and spirituality. Musically WARDRUNA has its main focus on the cultic musical language found in the near-forgotten arts of galder, seidr and the daily acts of the cultic life, mixed with impulses from Norwegian / Nordic folk music and music from other indigenous cultures ... ".

The band was founded some time ago by GORGOROTH's ex drummer Kvitrafn. You might remember him from „Twilight Of The Idols” album released in 2003. Einar Selvik ( Kvitrafn's real name) also used to play in such bands as JOTUNSPOR, BAK DE SYV FJELL, SIGFADER, DET HEDENSKE FOLK. In most of these acts he was only a session guy. In WARDRUNA he is definitely the mainman. He writes all music and lyrics, sings and plays most of the instruments. Band's line up features also infamous Gaahl, responsible for vocal parts and conceptual contributions, female vocalist Lindy Fay Hella and hardanger fiddle player Hallvard Kleiveland. "Var Ginnunga Gap" is the first part of a trilogy ( "Yggdrasill" and "Ragnarok" have already been confirmed as the titles of the second and the third parts). The concept for the trilogy is based on the runic alphabet and each album will feature eight runes interpretations.

Norwegian black metal scene has always been deeply inspired by the native folk music. Many bands used to combine rough, obscure and aggressive metal sound with folk elements both to make it more interesting and also to show people, where do they (artists) come from. But there's one thing you should realize about the act before you push „play” button in your CD player. WARDRUNA has nothing to do with metal. It means no guitar shredding, no solos, no double bass drumming and no growlings. Actually, it would be also really hard to describe this project as a typical folk band. Apart from traditional elements, the album features also a lot of dark ambient- soundtrack- ritualistic inclinations. But of course, Norsk folk in the primary music style for this band. Kvitrafn underlines that WARDRUNA's music is created mainly on old, traditional instruments, such as deer-hide frame and ceremonial drums, mouth harp, clove / hoof rattles from deer and goat, bone flute, goat and cow horns, hardanger fiddle and bowed lyres. The album was recorded digitally, nevertheless Kvitrafn managed to retain the essential character of WARDRUNA and fulfilled his wish to combine ancient folk elements with some "voices of nature". Wind, water, distant sounds of falling rocks, rustling trees, beautiful birds' singing and so on, the album is full of such things. Just close your eyes and the music will take you immediately on a fascinating journey through dark forests, snowy mountains and all those places, where Nature has always been the only law.

Songs included on "Gap Var Ginnunga" can be described as truly dark, majestic and epic. They are also very well thought out. Listening to this record I realize that Kvitrafn is a great composer when it comes to painting pictures with such desolating, misanthropic soundscapes. His incredible ability to understand and manipulate (in some way) a spiritual energy of Nordic culture allowed him to create a very dark musical portrait. Actually, this is one of the darkest albums I've ever listened to.

The album wouldn't be so perfect without vocal parts. They play an extremely important role on "Gap Var Ginnunga". What struck me first and most of all was Lindy Fay Hella singing. Forget about gothic metal divas, all those boring blonde sopranos that make you sick. This is definitely one of the greatest, most mystical and soulful female voices I have ever heard. The way she can convey the feeling of a song is breathtaking. Listening to her singing in such tracks as „Bjarkan” or „Algir- Stien klarnar” I go down on my knees. Holy shit! Is she an incarnation of Lisa Gerard? Male's vocals on "Gap Var Ginnunga" made by Gaahl and Kvitrafn are much more darker and disturbing. From silent whispers, through hypnotic, monotonous intonations to solemn recitations, from unique choir parts to inspired solo phrases, the range of vocal variety on that album is quite large.

WARDRUNA is my best musical discovery in recent months. I am looking forward to the second part of Kvitrafn's trilogy.

10/12