LIVE REVIEW: Descended From Odin: The Jorvik Takeover @ York Barbican
Every year the streets of York fill to celebrate the history of the Viking age. This year’s 2019 Jorvik Viking Festival saw many events being put on, Jorvik Takeover which was sponsored by clothing brand Descended From Odin was one of them. Over the evening we were joined by musicians and skalds who told Norse sagas and stories, and delivered sounds inspired by the nature and cultures of the north.
Starting the night was Sean Parry of Sacred Knot Tattoo, acting as a skald throughout the performance he told Norse sagas around enchanting music. The echoing of horse teeth shattering together was an interesting way of creating a soundscape, but it worked impeccably for the atmosphere the evening was proving to hold. In some ways Sean‘s performance made you feel close with the different energy’s in the room, but most importantly he was able to bring a little history to life and explore it in a modern way that only the most talented and dedicated can do.
Rating: 8/10
NYTT LAND have an ability to create soundscapes that will evoke many emotions, many reflections on what is important in our life, respect for our history. Their performance at Jorvik Takeover was of no exception. Skilfully fusing ritual and traditional folk sounds of the Ancient North, NYTT LAND were able to create an atmosphere that can only be described as magic. The strong beats of the drum, the gentle caressing of ancient instruments all surrounded the unique vocals of Natasha Pakhalenko, who has mastered throat singing, and other traditional techniques gathered from Siberia and the North. The journey in which these took you on from the start to end was outstanding, exploring the wonders of the world through sound has got to be one of the most difficult, yet stunning things to do and NYTT LAND made it seem effortless throughout. An enchanting performance, displayed by one of the finest acts.
Rating: 9/10
For as much as MYRKUR is considered a black metal project, folk plays a crucial cog in the machine of Amalie Bruun‘s soundscapes. After a run of shows in the tail-end of last year when Bruun performed her Folkesange set before the usual black metal ferocity, here, the focus was entirely on Bruun‘s folk influences. And it was glorious. Whilst many in the crowd most likely will have witnessed Bruun‘s Folkesange set on last year’s aforementioned tour, here, set in the glorious setting at York’s Barbican, MYRKUR‘s headlining Jorvik Takeover set was delivered to a standard that eclipses that of what we’ve seen previously.
Backed by an entourage of backing vocalists and musicians, including virtuosic cellist Jo Quail, MYRKUR gave a performance that was captivating from start to finish. Delicate keys, provided by a grand piano acting as a centrepiece on the stage, complimented Bruun‘s ghostly vocals and the occasional pulls from Quail’s cello or the soothing lines from an acoustic guitar helped create an atmosphere that was utterly pleasant to be a part of. Running through a plethora of folk songs spanning Norway, Sweden, England and her homeland Denmark, each song was performed to a jaw-dropping quality and her execution of her own material was even more impressive, with a soaring rendition of Crown being one of the set’s standout moments. Vocally superb and holding the audience in the palm of her hand from the first note to the last, Amalie Bruun has further demonstrated why she is one of the shining stars in our world in 2019.
Rating: 9/10
