– Birna, Out January 24, 2025
– Touring Australia & NZ in January 2025
Norwegian collective Wardruna present the title track of upcoming album Birna.
‘Birna’ – the she-bear in Old Norse, is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature’s caretaker.
The release is set for January 24, 2025 via Sony Music and By Norse Music.
Listen here
https://bio.to/Wardruna
Through Wardruna’s signature soundscape, this heavy, progressive song shows the valuable connection between humans and the natural world. Main composer Einar Selvik comments: “The song illustrates a dialogue between man and bear, exemplifying the various traits and abilities we humans have sought to borrow from these significant totemic animals throughout history.”
The bear frequently figures in the oldest myths of mankind in the northern hemisphere, and many indigenous people still regard this animal as a totem, honouring it with rites and songs.
Although the bear from the very beginning has constituted a threat to our own lives and those of our livestock, humans have always identified with the bear in various ways. If you skin the animal, its body underneath the fur strongly resembles that of man, which may be a reason that as legend has it the bear in fact originated from humans, and for thousands of years we have strived for its strength and wit. In some cultures, “treading the path of the bear” means pursuing what you’re truly meant to do in life.
“The bear doesn’t need my help or any human traditional ornamentation to be its own powerful self. It is quite the opposite if one looks to past bear-traditions worth remembering. We learn, we dream of borrowing its traits and abilities. We fear, revere, and try to walk alongside but on separate paths. Respectfully, claim space and give space. However inconvenient it may be, further taming of the wild can never be the fruitful way forward. For me, it profoundly felt like the right time to give voice to the Birna, mother and shepherd of the vanishing woods,” Selvik concludes.
The music video for “Birna” was filmed in Rondane National Park in Norway and directed by Wardruna´s longtime collaborator Tuukka Koski, produced by Breakfast Helsinki and Ragnarok Film.
On January 24, Wardruna will release the Blu-Ray and DVD ‘Live at the Acropolis’, alongside the album. The show was recorded at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens. Spanning over two hours, the concert features outstanding live performances of songs from the group’s discography, such as Helvegen, Kvitravn, Heimta Thurs and Lyfjaberg (that will be featured on the new album Birna).
Both the new album, Birna and the DVD/Blu-ray are available for pre-ordering here.
https://bio.to/Wardruna
Birna Tracklist:
1. Hertan
2. Birna
3. Ljos til Jord
4. Dvaledraumar
5. Jord til Ljos
6. Himinndotter
7. Hibjørnen
8. Skuggehesten
9. Tretale
10. Lyfjaberg
Birna was written and recorded between 2021 and 2024.
Music by Einar Selvik and Lindy-Fay Hella.
Lyrics by Einar Selvik.
Birna is performed by Einar Selvik, Lindy-Fay Hella, Eilif Gundersen, HC Dalgaard,
Sondre Veland, John Stenersen, Arne Sandvoll.
In support of the new album, Wardruna will embark on an extensive world tour that started in October at Red Rocks in Colorado. It will take in North and South America, Europe, the UK and Iceland and will see Wardruna in Australia and New Zealand for the very first time in January 2025.
TOUR DATES
Thursday, January 23: Melbourne, Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Saturday, January 25: Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Monday, January 27: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane
Thursday, January 30: Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Auckland NZ
Tickets from: destroyalllines.com
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