WARDRUNA. Skald LP

WARDRUNA. Skald LPFor years now Wardruna founder Einar Selvik has done acoustic concerts and lectures, performing Wardruna songs on his own, as well as creations made for the TV show Vikings in an acoustic format. Now parts of this material has finally been recorded live in studio in Solslottet Studio in Bergen (Norway), and is set for release through By Norse Music on November 23rd 2018. Skald takes the listener on a musical journey outside the massive soundscape that

For years now Wardruna founder Einar Selvik has done acoustic concerts and lectures, performing Wardruna songs on his own, as well as creations made for the TV-show “Vikings” in an acoustic format. Now parts of this material has finally been recorded “live in studio” in Solslottet Studio in Bergen (Norway), and is set for release through By Norse Music on November 23rd 2018.

“Skald” takes the listener on a musical journey outside the massive soundscape that Wardruna is known for and into a simpler and more direct form, where voice, poetry and ancient instruments like Kravik-lyre, Taglharpa and Bukkehorn lead the way.

Einar Selvik comments:
“Skald” was recorded live in the studio with the intention of capturing the raw and uncompromising energy of a live performance rather than aiming for a flawless and polished expression. It sets out to give voice to the ancient craft that once lay at the heart of the Norse oral traditions, presented as it takes shape in the hands of a humble contemporary skald today.

All formats of the album contains an extensive booklet with all lyrics translated as well as a solid introduction to the Skald and Old Norse poetry written by the acclaimed Icelandic author and Old Norse philologist Bergsveinn Birgisson.

Released November 23, 2018

Skald was recorded, mixed and mastered by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio in 2018.
Produced by Einar Selvik and Iver Sandøy.

Vocal, Kraviklyre, Taglharpa and Bukkehorn performed live in studio by Einar Selvik.
Backing vocals on Fehu by Iver Sandøy.

Translation of original content by Einar Selvik, Terry Gunnell and T.K.Y. Nikwie.
English translation of Voluspá taken from The Poetic Edda (Oxford World’s Classics, 2nd edition, 2014) by Carolyne Larrington, reprinted by kind permission of the translator.
English translation of Sonatorrek by Bernard Scudder from his translation of Egils saga Skalla-Grímssonar in The Complete Sagas of Icelanders, including 49 tales (vol. 1), 1997. Publication courtesy of Sigrún Eiríksdóttir and Leifur Eiríksson Publishing.

Cover design by Øivind Myksvoll.
Front cover illustration by Jakub Vaniš / The Raven from the North. Runic illustration by Ræveðis.