ALBUM REVIEW: Birna – Wardruna

In the depths of the woods, it lies there, deep in slumber. Ready to be awoken and to connect with those who will listen, to guide them through the cycles of the world and show them that we are not above nature but very much a part of it. The rhythms of a bear’s life echo that of nature, in winter it hibernates to be reborn again in the spring. A prominent figure in the oldest Northern European myths and still a significant feature within the rites and songs of indigenous people, the bear is a totemic symbol for mankind. We perceive each other in different ways but our relationship with the bear is one of cautious admiration, for thousands of years we have sought it’s strength and wit, spawning the saying; “treading the path of the bear” – which means whole heartedly pursuing what you’re truly meant to do in life. This is the context to Birna, the highly anticipated sixth album from WARDRUNA.

It is well known that WARDRUNA’s music originates from primary composer Einar Selvik’s constant and never resting dialogue with nature, stating “When I walk into a forest, I open my senses and listen for whatever nature cares to tell me”. Birna – which is the Old Norse word for “she-bear” – is no different. The album is a dedication to the she-bear, the warden of the forest, and her battles here on earth. She has been driven into a permanent hibernation and her habit encroached upon by modern society. As a result, her habitat, her home in the forest is slowly dying and mourns for its shepherd. With this album, WARDRUNA are calling for her return. 

WARDRUNA’s music is always an emotional experience, as they make something new out of the echoes of the past, with every Kravik-lyre pluck or Bukkehorn sound you find yourself connecting to something bigger than yourself. While Birna’s predecessor, 2021’s Kvitravn explored Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, animism, and the act of creation and the earlier Runaljod trilogy (2009 – 2016) explored old Norse myths, traditions, and language through the 24 proto-Norse runes, Birna feels different, it is more visceral in its subject matter. 

Birna has a bittersweetness and melancholy intwined in its melodies, you’re invited to celebrate the reawakening of nature but at the same time you’re also invited to stop and reflect on your own relationship with nature and your place in the cycles of the earth. The song that best demonstrates this ever changing dynamic is Himinndotter, the primal beats of the drums and the dramatic vocal melodies Lindy-Fay Hella resonate through you. 

WARDRUNA have always been able to masterfully comps and finely balance grand compositions with delicate, skaldic passages and intense, nature-driven atmospheres and ritualistic drumming. Birna has an effortless flow, each song is placed with purpose with one atmosphere bleeding into the next to create a singular piece of art that is powerfully emotive and stunningly beautiful.

Birna opens up with leading single Hertan (“Heart”), an intense and pounding track that sets the scene for the rest of the album. Its brooding, visceral and primal rhythms set above the pulse of a heart beat moves you, and when the vocal melodies soar above the drums it electrifies your entire body. Title track Birna follows, it continues the momentous, primal rhythms of Hertan and dramatically entwine them with the soaring vocals from Hella and Selvik’s more guttural vocals, creating a dramatic atmosphere to introduce us to the she-bear. Ljos til Jord and Jord til Ljos (“Light to Earth” and “Earth to Light” respectively) are more upbeat and danceable, and they bookend the album’s longest song Dvaledraumar (“Dormant Dreams”) which is a beautiful meditative track that demonstrates the calmness of the she-bear’s hibernation and how life goes on around her. 

Himinndotter (“Sky-Daughter”) features the choir KORET ARTEMIS and has a strong emphasis on vocal layers that grow and evolve as the song goes on. It feels like the rallying cry on the album, momentous and dramatic it makes you want to fight for nature and protect everything in it with the she-bear at your side. Hibjørnen (“The Hibenator”) is a slow, skaldic song where Selvik beautifully articulates the hibernation of the she-bear in poetic lyrics and soft lyre plucks. Skuggehesten (“Shadow-Horse”) is eerily reminiscent of WARDRUNA’s song Skugge on Kvitravn. A galloping rhythm and intense, dark atmosphere engulfs you in a frenzy of gritty vocals and low, staccato Taglharpa melodies. Tretale (“The Voice of the Tress”) is an ominous track that locks you in a trace like dance with the trees. An earthy and intense track that sets you up for the album closer Lyfjaberg (“Healing-Mounatain”). Birna finishes with an uplifting, empowering track Lyfjaberg, a slowly building and entrancing song it invites you to reflect on your journey with the she-bear and reminds you that life is tone lived in the present. 

WARDRUNA have once again demonstrated the power of nature in musical form, Birna is another beautifully crafting and awe-inspiringly performed album that takes pride of place in their illustrious discography. It is undoubtedly their most visceral album too, and will change your perceptions of bears and your place in nature at present. 

Rating: 10/10

Birna is set for release on January 24th via By Norse.