Wardruna: Birna

From the deep forests now comes Birna, the sixth studio album from Wardruna, released via Sony Music and By Norse Music. Through his tireless dialog with nature, lead composer Einar Selvik has embarked on a search for the voice of the bear. Birna - Old Norse for bear - is a work of art dedicated to the guardian of the forest, the guardian of nature, and her struggles here on earth. She is slowly being driven out of her habitat by modern society and is in a state of permanent hibernation. As a result, the forest is gradually dying and longing for its beating heart - its guardian. Birna calls for her return. The bear features frequently in the oldest myths of mankind in the northern hemisphere, and many indigenous peoples still regard this animal as a totem and honor it with rites and songs. It was once our respected protector, our guide to edible plants and berries, a creature we both feared and admired. The heartbeat of the sleeping bear, about nine beats per minute, can be felt throughout the album. This cyclical process, rooted in both nature and the worldview of older cultures, drives all of Einar Selvik's creative work. Birna nourishes the insight that has been at the center of Selvik's philosophy from the beginning: planting new seeds while strengthening old roots. Instruments and wisdom from ancient times, paired with modern soundscapes and recorded sounds of nature, offer a rare opportunity to realize something valuable about ourselves. It reminds us that we are part of nature, not above it, and it offers a way to remember, not for the sake of remembering, but to gain new and forgotten insights. Also released with the new album is a recording of Wardruna's unique equinox performance at the World Heritage Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the Acropolis in Athens. The concert was the culmination of an intense period of worldwide touring and brought the Kvitravn cycle to a remarkable conclusion. The show, lasting over two hours, features outstanding live performances of songs from Wardruna's discography such as "Helvegen", "Kvitravn", "Heimta Thurs" and "Lyfjaberg" (the latter will be featured on the new album Birna).