FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Rúnagaderung – The Runic Gathering 2019

February 8, 2019 Jessica Howkins

Taking place over two days in February, Rúnagaderung – The Runic Gathering music festival is set to celebrate the rich history and mythology of early northern Europe, from petroglyphs and hidden secrets of the Nordic Bronze Age, to the grim poetry of the Anglo-Saxons and epic sagas of the Vikings. Friday 22 will be dedicated to some of a best historically inspired folk, neo-folk and dark ambient bands that the UK and Scandinavia have to offer. Saturday 23 will deliver an onslaught of metal to the city of Jorvik, covering historically influenced black, extreme, death and power metal bands.

Opening Rúnagaderung will be FYRNAFOLC who will be capturing the essence of the ‘dark’ ages using a variety of ancient European instruments to deliver melancholy drones and solemn vocals. Shortly after University of York final year PhD student Helen J.H. Diggle will present a discussion of historical accuracy and immersion in performances of Viking inspired music. SOLFYR will be leading ELVENDALE into the epic story-telling from Germanic Sagas through music, and THE LORDS OF MISRULE who have established an outstanding reputation for bringing medieval literature to life once again. The stunning YYLVA, meaning ‘she-wolf’, will be bringing atmospheric folk/black metal to the festival to help connect us with our fading heritage. Closing Friday will be the incredible BRUNI who will be performing their own interpretations of Norse folk and traditional songs on ancient instruments. Drawing influences from the likes of WARDRUNA and FAUN, they are a fitting choice to end the first night of celebrations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_w__eiqgKg

Opening the second day of Rúnagaderung is Symphonic doom laden metal band CALL OF FENRIR who are inspired by Viking Sagas and tales of heroic deeds. Taking the place of DENIGRATA, UK Atmospheric black metal band WOLVENCROWN will reign absolute fury on Jorvik. Bringing a fantastic live show and catchy folk anthems inspired Vikings is RAVENAGE, who will be setting the stage ready for WYRDSTÆF. The band merge the ambience and simplicity of traditional historical instruments with the aggression and technicality of extreme metal – focusing lyrically on the Palaeolithic period of human pre-history. Having made a name in the UK black metal scene, OLD CORPSE ROAD will bring the dark folklore of Britain before being followed by power/heavy metal band SELLSWORD. Bringing the festival to a close for the year will be ambient black metal band A FOREST OF STARS, the fusion of psychedelic and folk sounds with black metal is hypnotic and will leave a desire for more in the mouths of Rúnagaderung goers.