ALBUM REVIEW: Kvitravn – Wardruna

“This album is in a sense more personal and more down to earth than before,” WARDRUNA‘s Einar Selvik states about their new album Kvitravn. Over the years, they have delved into the the thoughts and tales of a time that seemed so very different to the one we live in now. They use their heart and skills on age-old Nordic instruments to take those past times and create something new with them. Their unique and passionate take on what they do has captured the hearts of people from many backgrounds and cultures, they have become a bond that unites us within a time where it is so desperately needed.

The personal depth the album takes is already in the title, Kvitravn. Translated as ‘White Raven‘, Selvik holds that as his own artist name. It mustn’t be mistaken that the title was chosen because of his name, but more that it holds relevance to the ideas which inspired him to take that name initially. From there, the personal and down to earth journey is entirely led in force by the music.

Synkverv (Turn-sight) opens the albums gates with a growing power, led by Selvik‘s unique voice and the ambient undertones of Lindy-Fay Hella‘s vocals. Whilst this is recognisable as what you would expect to hear from WARDRUNA, make no mistake that this is a step towards something bigger. In the past they have created bold sounds to reflect the stories they tell. Brimming with respect, research and passion, it feels like they master their craft a little bit more with every effort. From the get-go this is no exception.

Kvitravn (White Raven), the albums title track, has been a single for some time now. As it stands alone, it is again, a triumph. Coming straight off the back of Synkverv however adds a whole new dynamic and powerful sentiment to what’s being delivered. This applies to all of the current singles from the album, and despite each piece having its own story, WARDRUNA manage to create an ever-strengthening link between them.

One of the refreshing traits of WARDRUNA is that despite how fierce their sound is, they always seem to draw you deep into your senses, a state of meditation and stillness. Skugge (Shadow), Fylgjutal (Speech of the Fylgja), Kvit hjort (White Stag) all being extraordinary examples of the inner fire inside that just so happens to encourage peace. This is again something that together they have achieved since their Runaljod days, and Kvitravn is just as intoxicating.

Speaking of things that are overwhelming in power, Lindy-Fay Hella must not be overlooked in her vocal input to the album. As she gives her voice to the likes of Grá (Grey) and Viseveiding (Song-hunting), she completely dominates against everything else. The songs become delicate in detail, but their force, as graceful as they can be, are not to be reckoned with, and this is solely down the other-worldly expressions of her voice.

Andvevarljod (Song of the Spirit-weavers) as the closing title only continues that ethereal feeling, but in a slightly different way. As the longest song on the album at just over 10-minutes, the range of what this makes you feel is dangerously exciting. One moment you’re in this state of relaxation and the next, as Selvik‘s vocals seep in, you’re transported to a visual scape of desperation. Having mentioned that Andvevarljod is a plea to the nine Norns, what has been captured within the music created here, there needn’t be an explanation as it is told so expertly. The guest vocals of traditional singer Kirsten Bråten Berg, and her daughter Sigrid only bolster the atmosphere that WARDRUNA have created with this.

What is always astounding is that learning techniques and instruments from another time period is already a difficult task, but to learn and interpret the stories and make them appeal to a modern day listener is something that almost seems impossible but Selvik and WARDRUNA seem to have no issue in achieving it. For a composer with a small background in written music and has done everything through ear, that’s another extraordinary achievement in itself given what is being produced and the effort that has to go into it.

Selvik stated upon the announcement that this album would sound big, the outcome shows that big is an understatement to say the least. Aforementioned, it always feels as though WARDRUNA are displaying to the best of their abilities, masters in their craft, Kvitravn being no exception to that but the strength that holds this album up is unlike anything that could have been expected. Its simplicities make for complex and beautiful soundscapes. What truly makes Kvitravn a success, just like previous albums, is that it isn’t here to be better than its predecessors. It is simply here to tell us stories in a unique way that still allow us to hold our own interpretations, and to serve a reminder that there is still peace to be found in a world that currently shows very little.

Rating: 9/10

Kvitravn is set for release on January 22nd via Music For Nations. 

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