Wardruna

Formed in Bergen in 2003 around Einar Selvik, Gaahl and Lindy‑Fay Hella, Wardruna creates music at the crossroads of Nordic folk, ambient and dark folk. Their work draws on ancient Scandinavian traditions, lyrics in Old Norse, and a strong emphasis on voice, percussion and acoustic timbres. Initially linked to Selvik’s and Gaahl’s trajectories within the Norwegian metal scene, Wardruna quickly moved away from that sphere to develop a slower, more ritual and pared‑down aesthetic focused on resonance, chants and instruments inspired by Nordic cultures. The band’s recorded output was first organized around the Runaljod trilogy—Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga (2009), Runaljod – Yggdrasil (2013) and Runaljod – Ragnarok (2016)—followed by Skald (2018), an album with more stripped‑back arrangements, and later Kvitravn (2021) and Birna (2025). Wardruna also contributed to the musical world of the TV series Vikings from its second season, collaborating with Trevor Morris, which broadened their reach beyond the folk and experimental scenes. Gaahl left Wardruna in 2015; Einar Selvik and Lindy‑Fay Hella remain at the core of an ensemble that performs on stages combining traditional music, contemporary creations and international festivals.