Review WARDRUNA “Birna”

It was four years ago that “Kvitravn” – the white raven – spread its wings, and today it is “Birna” that marks the next step in Wardruna‘s career. The outfit is the brainchild of Einar Selvik, the driving force behind the band, and the latest release showcases the powerful sounds that Wardruna stands for.

“Birna” is dedicated to the female bear, an animal that plays an important role in nature and mythology. She is the guardian of the forest and the keeper of nature. Modern society, however, is pushing her back into the forest, leading to an eternal hiatus and void. Since the female bear is no longer present, nature suffers and it’s pulsating heart is missing. Nature’s pacemaker is asleep.

This is the thematic background of the album, and it is important to mention it, because the music reflects this scenario. “Birna” is an ode to life and nature, reflected in ten expressive and energetic songs. It’s not the loud and heavy sounds that impress. What we have here are ten compositions that transport a lot of feeling, with the rhythms of the north being one of the captivating factors.

Wardruna once again manage to create a very specific and nuanced album, with “Dvaledraumar” being the masterpiece. The cornerstone song clocks in at 15 minutes and is an epic moment of the album.

It is the heartbeat of the female bear that serves as the rhythmic foundation for the album. The opening of the album is with a song called “Hertan” rather dynamic with a strongly pounding heart, while the aforementioned “Dvaledraumar” is the opposite. With almost fragile tones, the hiatus is the main theme of the song and the heartbeat is barely noticeable. It is a song that perfectly reflects the protagonists’ time in the twilight zone of life and death; a time when many vital functions are reduced to the absolute minimum.

Towards the end of this concept-based album, things become more vital again. It’s the awakening that resonates in songs like “Skuggehesten”.

Wardruna follow their chosen musical and lyrical principles. The latest album is the next step with a more conceptual approach that allows you to dive into a world of the elements of life. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the sunrays we need – these are the main points of an album that reflects the importance of nature for the human soul. “Birna” may not be an easy listening album, nor is it meant to be. It is a release that takes time, as these songs need focus before the embedded essence is revealed. And it is a good thing to listen to the album from beginning to end as the story unfolds more and more with each song.