### Wardruna: Runaljod - gap var ginnunga

#### 28/04/09 || Euthanatos

This project features Kvitrafn, who used to play in Gorgoroth, and Gaahl, who was also in Gorgoroth until he lost the name to Infernus. Oh, my god, that must mean the project is totally homosexual, right? Because, oh my god, Gaahl totally fessed up to being gay, so everything he does must be gay, and Wardruna is gay, and Gorgoroth is gay, and drinking wine is gay and so on. Fuck off. Enough with the taking cock up the ass subject. I don’t care. Never will. Let’s move the fuck on. What is important is that this, albeit not metal, is one of the best albums you will hear in 2009. That’s fucking right.

Kvitrafn’s idea was to make a project where he could explore the roots of Norwegian folk music, all the way back to medieval times, mixing it up with your modern neo-folk approach. There is a definite ritualistic vibe here, with all the percussion used. But on top of that there is the bleak, screeching cry of a fiddle and a choir of desolate, traditional and deep vocals.

Lindy Fay Hella, Gaahl and Kvitrafn blow me away with their performance here. The layers of vocals are mesmerizing and the vocal lines are primal and emotional.

The instrumentals, on the whole, are surprisingly simple. Most elements are merely percussion based, but the ambient is so dark and foreboding, it’s impossible not to feel dragged into it and drift mindlessly, as if you’re falling into a deep, black abyss. And enjoying it.

This is a must-have for fans of bands like Haggard, Rome, Corvus Corax, Dead Can Dance and the like. It’s incredibly rich, moving music, that captivates the listener not by the complexity of the instrumental, but by the sheer ancient power it invokes.

I think the fact that it’s medieval/ambient music made by musicians from metal bands make it all the more appealing. Because they take some of the gritty punch of metal and align it with the eerie passages, making one fucking killer combo. It never becomes boring, quite the contrary, you feel more immersed the more you listen to it.

I wish I had the words to make it justice, but I’m failing miserably. Fuck, just go listen to it. Highly, highly recommended. Oh, and Gaahl is gay.

The cover: Apparently it’s just a rune. But that’s where you’re mistaken! Because there lies the secret of all power! Unlimited power!

9 Norwegian men half-naked in the forest out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Indie Recordings
- Website: www.wardruna.com
- Band
- Kvitrafn: vocals, all instruments
- Gaahl: vocals
- Lindy Fay Hella: vocals
- Hallvard Kleiveland: hardanger fiddle

- Tracklist
- 01. Ár Var Alda
- 02. Hagall
- 03. Bjarkan
- 04. Løyndomsriss
- 05. Heimta Thurs
- 06. Thurs
- 07. Jara
- 08. Laukr
- 09. Kauna
- 10. Algir – Stien Klarnar
- 11. Algir – Tognatale
- 12. Dagr