neo folk

WARDRUNA release new song and music video for Hertan

Amidst Wardruna´s song-writing hibernation, the group resurfaces to offer a taste of their next album with the single release and music video for the song Hertan. The song is available on all digital streaming platforms now.

Einar Selvik comments on the new song: ““Hertan” is the proto-Scandinavian word for “heart” and that is exactly what we explore in this song and film. The duality of the heart with the rhythm, flow and pulse we can see, hear, and feel in nature and in all forms of life – and the more abstract idea of the heart, The rudder on the ship of emotions, our decisions, and our true desires.”
 
Once again, Wardruna teamed up with Finnish director and photographer Tuukka Koski for the video production of Hertan. Koski has previously directed Wardruna´s videos for Raido, Voluspá, and Grá. This time, the production mainly took place during some freezing nights in northern Finland at the island of Hailouto.
 
Einar about the video shooting process: “It is always a true pleasure to create art with Tuukka and his colleagues at Breakfast Helsinki! His experience and eye for detail as well as the ability to always conjure up next-level material, is very inspiring to be part of. Three days, three locations, no sleep but a lot of heart. This is how it went down. Hope you will enjoy the result!”

Hertan Cover | Picture by Tuukka Koski | Design by Øivind Myksvoll

ABOUT WARDRUNA

Hertan, the proto-Scandinvian word for heart, is steeped in Wardruna tradition. With this new song, Wardruna announce the beginning of a vibrant new cycle, pulsating with life. The song explores the rhythm of pulse, a flow visible in all forms of life and in nature, and the heart as the rider of decisions.
 
Making room for something new to come into being, the Norwegian group ends the Kvitravn touring cycle in a remarkable way. During the autumn equinox on September 21, 2023, Wardruna performed at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens. The event sold out quickly, with fans from all over the world attending.
 
The concert at the Acropolis is the culmination of an intense period of touring, with successful shows in the United States, Norway, Iceland and the United Kingdom. In 2022, Wardruna headlined the festivals Wacken Open Air in Germany and Hellfest Open Air in France and saw the group perform at historic sites, such as Ancient Theater in Plovdiv and Castle Devin, Bratislava during the Nordic Night Tour. In 2023, the second leg of the Kvitravn touring cycle took place throughout the summer with Wardruna playing (festival) shows in Germany, France, The Netherlands and a concert at Borgholm Castle in Sweden. 

At the heart of Wardruna lies the vision of sowing new seeds and strengthening old roots, a concept that main composer Einar Selvik, Lindy-Fay Hella and former member Gaahl bought to life in 2009. The first three albums formed the Runaljod trilogy and featured musical renditions based on the Nordic runes. Each of the three releases focused around eight of the twenty-four Proto-Norse runes, more commonly known as the Elder Futhark. The trilogy consists of Runaljod – gap var Ginnunga (2009), Runaljod – Yggdrasil (2013), Runaljod – Ragnarok (2016).

After years of acoustic concerts and lectures, performing Wardruna songs and creations made for the TV-show Vikings, Einar Selvik recorded Skald (2018). The album was recorded live with the intention of capturing the raw and uncompromising energy of the live performance. It set out to give a voice to the ancient craft that once lay at the foundation of the Norse oral traditions, presented as it takes shape in the hands of a humble contemporary skald today.

Wardruna’s fifth full-length Kvitravn (White-Raven) was released in January 2021. The album musically continues where the Runaljod trilogy left off, yet it marks a distinct evolution in the group’s sound. Throughout eleven songs, Kvitravn discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs. The record charted in 13 countries, including #1 in Canada and Austria, and #2 in Germany. A year later, the band presented a virtual live experience in the form of First Flight of the White Raven, also landing in the official German Album Charts.

The period between First Flight of the White Raven and Hertan, is not without creative output. A new rendition of Voluspá (live with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra) came out in June 2023. Einar Selvik also performed on national Norwegian television with electronic dance music DJ Matoma and joined Faroese singer-songwriter Eivør and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra for a symphonic concert series. One of the duets, Voluspá (live with Eivør) shall be released physically on Record Store Day in April 2024, in the United States, Canada and Germany. Now a new cycle begins with Hertan and Wardruna soon announce new live dates in support of this new release. 
 
As a live band Wardruna operates in various constellations of personnel but the standard configuration the last years has been as follows:

Einar Selvik – Vocals, Taglharpa, Kravik-lyre, Bukkehorn
Lindy-Fay Hella – Vocals
Arne Sandvoll – Percussion, Backing vocals
Sondre Veland – Percussion, Backing vocals
Eilif Gundersen – Bukkehorn, Lur, Flute, Backing vocals
HC Dalgaard – Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals
John Stenersen – Mora-harp
 
Discography
Runaljod – gap var Ginnunga (2009)
Runaljod – Yggdrasil (2013)
Runaljod – Ragnarok (2016)
Skald (2018)
Kvitravn (2021)
Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven (2022)

Heilung announce updated European tour schedule for 2022!

Enigmatic world music collective HEILUNG are now announcing new updates for their European tour in 2022 and 2023. Besides more added shows in Krakow (PL), Milan (IT) and Vienna (AT), the band is now also unveiling the tour support for this trek! Eivør and Lili Refrain will join HEILUNG on the road to make each night even more magical. A list of all confirmed shows can be found below.

HEILUNG comment on the tour: “It has been wonderful to feel the ground shake under our feet again on the various festival stages around Europe this summer and experiencing the joy of all of you being able to reunite, sing and dance in large gatherings again. It has been like a colorful sunrise after a long night. We are now ready for our next step on our continent: The Europe Tour. We would like to give thanks to everyone working hard behind the curtains for the past two/three years to make this happen. It has not been easy sorting out as the world has changed. On this tour we are bringing you our newest studio album “Drif”. “Drif” means “gathering”, just like we will gather again to heal, bond, and create, and be greater together.
 
We are deeply honoured to reveal that the amazing artists Eivør and Lili Refrain will be joining us on this tour, we look forward spending time with you on the road. This will truly be a once in a lifetime experience. See you all out there. Love Heilung“

HEILUNG previously revealed the very first track ‘Anoana‘, which is taken from the band’s upcoming new album “Drif”. The new offering is set for worldwide release on August 19, 2022 via Season of Mist. 

The album can be pre-ordered HERE and pre-saved HERE

HEILUNG release show
19 Aug 22 Borre (NO) Midgardsblot 2022

HEILUNG US tour 2022
26 Aug 22 Atlanta, GA (US) Cobb Energy Center
28 Aug 22 Asheville, NC (US) Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
30 Aug 22 Pittsburgh, PA (US) Stage AE
01 Sep 22 Toronto, ON (CA) Meridian Hall
03 Sep 22 Montréal, QC (CA) MTELUS
06 Sep 22 New York, NY (US) Hammerstein Ballroom
08 Sep 22 Worcester, MA (US) The Palladium
10 Sep 22 Detroit, MI (US) Masonic Temple Theatre
13 Sep 22 Chicago, IL (US) Radius
15 Sep 22 St. Paul, MN (US) Myth Live
20 Sep 22 Seattle, OR (US) The Paramount Theatre
22 Sep 22 Portland, OR (US) Keller Auditorium
24 Sep 22 San Francisco, CA (US) The Warfield
27 Sep 22 Los Angeles, CA (US) Greek Theatre
29 Sep 22 Phoenix, AZ (US) Orpheum Theatre
01 Oct 22 Dallas, TX (US) The Factory in Deep Ellum

HEILUNG EU tour
+ Eivør + Lili Refrain
26 Oct 22 Copenhagen (DK) Forum Black Box
28 Oct 22 Stockholm (SE) Annexet
30 Oct 22 Helsinki (FI) Black Box
02 Nov 22 Krakow (PL) ICE*
04 Nov 22 Prague (CZ) Forum Karlin*
06 Nov 22 Halle (DE) Handel Halle*
08 Nov 22 Zurich (CH) Halle 662*
11 Nov 22 Brussels (BE) Cirque Royal*
13 Nov 22 Berlin (DE) Tempodrom
16 Nov 22 Bochum (DE) Ruhrcongress
18 Nov 22 Paris (FR) L’Olympia
02 Dec 22 Budapest (HU) Barba Negra
05 Dec 22 Ljubljana (SI) L56
07 Dec 22 Frankfurt (DE) Jahrhundert Halle
09 Dec 22 Milan (IT) Alcatraz
14 Dec 22 Stuttgart (DE) Liederhalle Hegelsaal
16 Dec 22 Vienna (AT) Gasometer
18 Dec 22 Munchen (DE) Zenith
08 Jan 23 Rouen (FR) Le 106*
10 Jan 23 Metz (FR) La Bam*
12 Jan 23 Tilburg (NL) 013 [SOLD OUT]

14 Jan 23 London (UK) O2 Academy Brixton
17 Jan 23 Manchester (UK) Bridgewater Hall
19 Jan 23 Dublin (IE) National Stadium
22 Jan 23 Glasgow (UK) Barrowland

The cover artwork and track titles of ‘Drif’ can be viewed below.

Track-list:
1. Asja (5:17)
2. Anoana (4:57) [WATCH]
3. Tenet (13:05)
4. Urbani (2:55)
5. Keltentrauer (8:26)
6. Nesso (7:54)
7. Buslas Bann (5:03)
8. Nikkal (3:04)
9. Marduk (8:34)
Total: 59:15

Since its inception in 2015, the enigmatic ritual collective HEILUNG has been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music. HEILUNG once again journeys back in time with its new chapter, ‘Drif;’ however, unlike previous offerings that centered around prehistoric northern Europe, album number three will explore other great rudimentary civilizations outside of Europe.  

“All the songs on ‘Drif’ have their own stories,”  adds HEILUNG throat singer and one of the band’s three composers, Kai Uwe Faust. Each has its place and sense of belonging, with inspiration not only from Northern Europe, but from the ancient great civilizations,” explains the band. “We took the ancient surrounding advanced civilizations in account, because our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist and disappear in isolation. Already in the Bronze Age, we found silk on German land that was imported already from the far, far East 3000 years ago. From the Viking age, we found beads that were brought there from present-day Syria high up in the Northern mountains. 

“Centrally important concepts, still in extensive use today, like the number Zero and all the mathematical universes deriving from it, the use of iron and the general concept of settling all originate from traditional high civilizations outside the north and still fundamentally changing our ancestor’s world. 

“With singing these primordial songs we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other.” 

Meaning “gathering,” ‘Drif’ serves as more than merely a gateway that bridges history with modern day society, but is also a statement of the strength in unity and togetherness, which will come as no surprise to those who have experienced HEILUNG’s live ritual, in which every ceremony starts with a reminder that “we are all brothers.” “‘Drif’ means ‘gathering,’’ explains HEILUNG. “A throng of people, a horde, a crowd, a pack. In symbiosis with the album title, ‘Drif’ consists of a flock, a collection, a gathering, a collage of songs, that much like little flames were seeking towards each other, to join, to bond, to create, and be greater together.” 

While HEILUNG features authentic and archaic instrumentation that ranges from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing, their captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevates the musical atmosphere and provides a more in-depth and layered soundscape. 

“This album has very clearly dictated its own path. Our attempts to tame it were repeatedly fruitless, and once we came to this realization, the creative flow surged forward with immense force. So much so that sometimes it felt like the songs wrote themselves,” the band adds. 

HEILUNG’s success has been unprecedented, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective already had rapidly been growing a buzz upon the self-release of their first full-length, ‘Ofnir,’ in 2015, but their dizzying upward trajectory really took off from the moment they set foot on the stage at Castlefest in 2017 for the now-legendary debut of their live ritual. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe. 

As HEILUNG trekked across Europe and brought their mystifying experience to new audiences, talk of this new band and their stunning ceremony made way to Season of Mist label owner Michael Berberian, who quickly offered the band a record contract after seeing their undeniable musical impact for himself. 

By 2019, HEILUNG launched their second full-length record, ‘Futha,’ which contrasted the masculine and battle-heavy themes of their debut with a feminine counterpart that celebrated fertility and female energy. Upon the first week of the record’s release, it graced the Billboard charts with coveted numbers, debuting at #3 on the Heatseekers Charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Chart, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts while meeting critical-acclaim from the press on a global scale. 

Having already made its way around Europe, HEILUNG announced its first ever North American tour for the start of 2020, which sold out entirely within 72 hours of ticket on-sale. The band later returned to the United States and performed their live ritual for a sold out audience of 10,000 people at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO (USA), further solidifying their early legacy status. 


By this time, the band’s music started to appear in places outside the confines of music venues, videos, and vinyl. From hit television series like ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Vikings’ to video game giants like ‘Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök’ and ‘Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’ to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film ‘The Northman,’ HEILUNG’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down HEILUNG’s success; it only strengthened them and gave them the gift of time to complete work on album number three, ‘Drif.’ 

According to Greek philosopher Pythagoras, three is a divine number, signifying harmony, wisdom, and understanding. He also believed it to be the number of time – past, present, future; birth, life, death; beginning, middle, end. Purposefully or not, ‘Drif’ embodies this philosophy, putting forth a divine work of art that ties together the beginning of civilization with the modern world today. Make no mistake, HEILUNG still does not represent any modern political or religious ideology, but rather delivers a humbling reminder of where we came from. “Remember, we are all brothers. All  people, beasts, tree and stone and wind, we all descend from the one great being that was always there, before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.” 

Line-up:
Kai Uwe Faust 
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

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www.instagram.com/amplifiedhistory

Shop SoM: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/Heilung
Shop Heilung: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/heilung-tvm-shop

THEODOR BASTARD sign to Season of Mist

Season of Mist are pleased to announce the signing of Russian Karelian Neofolk outfit THEODOR BASTARD. The band will release their brand new album via the label. 

THEODORE BASTARD comment on the signing: “We are very happy to share this great news with you – Theodor Bastard band has become a part of the world of Season of Mist. It is a very big event for us. Living in the deep of the wild Karelian forests on the edge of the Ecumene, we can now reach the audience all over the world and tell the myths and legends of our North through our music. We thank the whole team of Season of Mist so much. We were an indie band for over 20 years and all our lives we learned and did everything ourselves. From recording albums to selling them. From manufacturing merch to organizing tours. We have a lot of experience in this, but Season of Mist is the first label really attracted us with its concept and its approach. And we entrust them our music and our future. We know that together we can achieve more.“

In further news, Season of Mist are proud to simultaneously announce the release of the re-issues of ‘Vetvi’ (2015) and the recently released masterpiece ‘Volch’ya Yagoda’ (2020). Listen to the entire THEODOR BASTARD catalogue HERE. 

More info and Hi-rez pictures of the band can be found HERE
Check out some of the artisic videos THEODOR BASTARD deliver HERE

THEODOR BASTARD‘s music is set out to take listeners to unexplored and other worlds. From the cold and twilight realms of the marshy swamps of taiga and mossy tundra, to unexplored places where the earthly plane and the spiritual world are separated only by a thin ghostly veil. For over twenty years THEODOR BASTARD have been known for their amazingly serious attitude to the world beyond that very frontier.

THEODOR BASTARD is one of Russia’s most unusual bands representing the electronic Karelian neofolk genre. Also elements of dark wave and trip hop are present in the band’s music. The message doesn’t carry out everyday problems and is mainly focused on mythology and shamanism. The hallmarks of the band are the unique and bewitching lead vocals of multi-talent Yana Veva and the impeccable sound producing skills of Fedor Svolotch, founder of the band who created the band 20 years ago.

From album to album, THEODOR BASTARD carefully and masterly combine many different exotic and traditional instruments. The special northern atmosphere of their albums is created with Nordic nyckelharpa and jouhikko, primeval flutes created from tree roots and shamanic percussion.

“We live in the north of Russia in Karelia, which has a difficult fate” states band leader Fedor Svolotch. He continues: “This is a harsh northern region with unpredictable nature, with spruce and pine forests. Bears are found here. Moose and hare come straight to my house. In Karelia there are beautiful cliffs and clear lakes with fresh water. These are our personal places of power, the places where stones and winds are talking to us. Singing for us a songs of the northern harsh nature”.

THEODOR BASTARD consists of 6 musicians, turning their performances into a dark magic act that sends the audience back to Northern musical traditions, to the Karelian and the Russian folk. The musicians use a lot of electronic devices and ethnic instruments, but also use their own hand-made instruments from stones, human bone and the roots of Karelian birch. 

Line Up:
Fedor Svolotch – dulcimer, samplers, vocal
Yana Veva – vocal, bawu, ocarina
Kusas – percussions, winds
Alexey Kalinovskiy – keyboards
Sergey Smirnov – drums
Ekaterina Dolmatova – back vocal
Slava Salikov – cello, morin khuur

https://theodorbastard.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheodorBastard/
https://www.instagram.com/theodor_bastard/
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheodorBastardMusic
https://theodorbastard.bandcamp.com/

Heilung update tour schedule and announce support acts!

HEILUNG are now updating their European tour dates, including the support acts on selected dates. LINDY-FAY HELLA will join HEILUNG in London, MIRA CETI PROJECT will be present during the Paris show and SANGRE DE MIERDAGO will join the band  on selected dates. The exact schedule and support acts can be found below.

HEILUNG are furthermore proud to announce that the shows in Warsaw (PL), Essen (DE), Utrecht (NL), Brussel (BE) and Paris (FR) are already sold out. Tickets for the remaining shows are also running low.
HEILUNG European tour
22 Oct 19 Palladium (PL) Warschau (Sold out)
24 Oct 19 Berlin (DE) Admiralspalast (tickets)*
26 Oct 19 Essen (DE) Colosseum Theater (Sold out)*
28 Oct 19 Munich (DE) Circus Krone (tickets)*
30 Oct 19 Prague (CZ) Divadlo Hybernia (tickets)*
01 Nov 19 Halle (DE) Händelhalle (tickets)*
03 Nov 19 Vienna (AT) The Vienna Globe (tickets)*
05 Nov 19 Zurich (CH) Volkshaus (tickets)*
07 Nov 19 Kiel (DE) Kieler Schloss (tickets)*
10 Nov 19 London (UK) Roundhouse (tickets)&
14 Nov 19 Utrecht (NL) Tivoli Vredenburg (Sold out)
17 Nov 19 Brussels (BE) Ancienne Belgique (Sold out)
20 Nov 19 Paris (FR) Elysée Montmartre (Sold out)#
* support: Sangre de Muerdago
& support: Lindy-Fay Hella
# support: Mira Ceti

HEILUNG live
07 Sep 19 Selb (DE) Mediaval Festival 2019
17 Oct 19 Nancy (FR) Nancy Jazz Pulsation Festival
19 Oct 19 Hameln (DE) Autumn Moon Festival 2019
06 Dec 19 Lviv (UA) Lviv State Circus
08 Dec 19 Kyiv (UA) Center of Culture and Arts NAU
14 Dec 19 Copenhagen (DK) Amager Bio (Sold out)
18 Feb 20 York (UK) Descended from Odin Festival (Exact date TBA)
22 Feb 20 York (UK) Jorvink Viking Festival
10 Apr 20 Rouen (FR) Le 106
12 Apr 20 Toulouse (FR) Echos Et Merveilles Festival
16 May 20 Metz (FR) Cire Musicale -Bam
20 Aug 20 St.-Nolff (FR) Motocultor Festival 2020 (Exact date TBA) HEILUNG will be touring in support of ‘Futha’ which was released on June 28, 2019. The cover artwork and album details of ‘Futha’ can be viewed below. 

On the meaning of the album title, HEILUNG comment: “The majority of full rune set inscriptions start with ‘Futha’, and is known to us as the first four letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is, of course, a surplus of theories. One of the theories we found inspiration in, is that ‘Futha’ holds the meaning of fertility and female gender. As ‘Ofnir’ focused on war and masculine notions, the great healing power of female wild strength is evoked in Futha. Those who have been present at a birth or have seen lionesses hunting know the spirit, and we welcome and embrace it in the sounds that were born during the creation of ‘Futha’.“
Track-list
Galgaldr (10:22)
Norupo (4:18)
Othan  (10:19)
Traust (9:49)
Vapnatak (4:03)
Svanrand (3:36)
Elivagar (8:45)
Elddansurin (8:05)
Hamrer Hippyer (14:17)
Total playing time: 1:13:34
“Ofnir” was a very masculine album. To create it, HEILUNG took a big part of the lyrics from preserved rune inscriptions on weapons and armour. “Futha” is the counterpart, the balance point, the feminine side. Here, the lyrics originate from old Icelandic poetry, in which the holy women chant magic spells and offer their blessings. Hence, female voices are more prominent on “Futha”.

HEILUNG means “healing” in the German language and this also describes the core of the band’s sound. The listener is supposed to be left at ease and in a relaxed state after a magical musical journey that is at times turbulent.

HEILUNG reach far back in time to the Northern European iron age and Viking period to create their sound experience. The band utilises many means in their songs: from running water via human bones, reconstructed swords and shields up to ancient frame drums as well as bronze rings.

When HEILUNG self-released ‘Ofnir’ in 2015, the Danish band could hardly have anticipated the breakthrough success of their debut album. Spectacular live shows, strong critical acclaim, and a massive underground buzz added to the constantly high demand for this full-length are the reason why their new label Season of Mist did not hesitate to re-issue ‘Ofnir’ in several collector’s edition formats. HEILUNG‘s live album, ‘LIFA’ (2017) was released in parallel.

The word “Futha” is taken from an artefact, that is still controversially discussed. Big names in runology like Düwel and Heizmann can agree neither on the deciphering nor the meaning of the description.…The word is engraved in a gold bracteate from Skåne (SE), which was produced around 500-530 AD. It was discovered in 1831 and these medals or coins were divided into different categories by the Swedish archaeologist Oscar Montelius. The bracteate in question is a so-called C-bracteate named Schonen II-C (Schonen is the German Name of Skåne) with a horse and a face. The rune inscription is between the hind-legs of the horse. Interesting to mention here is the fact that the majority of full rune set inscriptions start with “futh“, which also is the first three letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is a surplus of theories. This brings us to a runic staff found in Bergen, which was given the rather unpoetic archaeological classification B011. It carries the inscription: “felleg er fuþ sin bylli Fuþorglbasm”, which means: “Lovely is the cunt, may the cock fill it up”. Also interesting is that the Högstena amulet, which we use in the song “Galgaldr”, has an alternative deciphering of the word “futh“, which in this context means “cunt”. All this leaves us with two hints: magic potential and the female genitalia. The great healing power of the female wild strength is evoked in “Futha”. Those who have been present at a birth or seen a lioness hunting, know the spirit. The spirit of the “wilde Weiber” (German), the wild wise women. “Futha” endeavours to connect to a time before the female was degraded to a birth-machine and carrier of eternal inherited guilt. 

“Futha” was three years in the making and was finished for production and print at midwinter, the very darkest day of the solar year, the 21st in the 12th month at 21:00.

Any attempt to link the band with or bring their music into a modern political or religious context is pointless, since HEILUNG try to connect their listeners with a time before the coming of Christianity and modern political ideologies. 

Line-up
Kai Uwe Faust 
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory

Heilung stream forthcoming album ‘Futha’ in full!

HEILUNG are now premiering their upcoming album in full!
HEILUNG comment: “‘felleg er fuþ sin bylli Fuþorglbasm’ 
Ofnir was a masculine album about combat, anger and rage, Futha is the counterpart, the balance point, the feminine side. The great healing power of sexual magic and female wild strength is evoked in Futha. Those who have been present at a birth or have seen lionesses hunting, know the spirit. Futha endeavors to connect to a time before the female was degraded to a birth-machine and carrier of eternal inherited guilt. Heilung has no political agenda whatsoever. Heilung also has no desire to contribute to gender mainstreaming or gender discussion with Futha. People are not equal, but of equal value, no matter where, as what, or as who they are born.”
On the meaning of the album title, HEILUNG comment: “The majority of full rune set inscriptions start with ‘Futha’, and is known to us as the first four letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is, of course, a surplus of theories. One of the theories we found inspiration in, is that ‘Futha’ holds the meaning of fertility and female gender. As ‘Ofnir’ focused on war and masculine notions, the great healing power of female wild strength is evoked in Futha. Those who have been present at a birth or have seen lionesses hunting know the spirit, and we welcome and embrace it in the sounds that were born during the creation of ‘Futha’.”

HEILUNG have previously announced a European tour in October and November this year. The tour will kick off on October 22nd in Warsaw (PL) and will end about a month later in Paris (FR). Find the full list of tour dates below.
HEILUNG festivals
29 Jun 19 Helsinki (FI) Tuska 2019
09 Aug 19 Jaromer (CZ) Brutal Assault
17 Aug 19 Borre (NO) Midgardsblot 2019
07 Sep 19 Selb (DE) Mediaval Festival 2019 
19 Oct 19 Hameln (DE) Autumn Moon Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)
18 Feb 20 York (UK) Descended from Odin Festival (Exact date TBA)

HEILUNG European tour
22 Oct 19 Palladium (PL) Warschau (tickets)
24 Oct 19 Berlin (DE) Admiralspalast (tickets)
26 Oct 19 Essen (DE) Colosseum Theater (tickets)
28 Oct 19 Munich (DE) Circus Krone (tickets)
30 Oct 19 Prague (CZ) Hybernia (tickets)
01 Nov 19 Halle (DE) Händelhalle (tickets)
03 Nov 19 Vienna (AT) Der Globe (tickets)
05 Nov 19 Zurich (CH) Volkshaus (tickets)
07 Nov 19 Kiel (DE) Kieler Schloss (tickets)
10 Nov 19 London (UK) Roundhouse (tickets)
14 Nov 19 Utrecht (NL) Tivoli Vredenburg (tickets)
17 Nov 19 Brussels (BE) AB (tickets)
20 Nov 19 Paris (FR) Elysée Montmartre (tickets)
06 Dec 19 Lviv (UA) Lviv State Circus (tickets)
08 Dec 19 Kyiv (UA) Center of Culture and Arts NAU (tickets)
The cover artwork and album details of ‘Futha’ can be viewed below
Track-list
Galgaldr (10:22)
Norupo (4:18)
Othan  (10:19)
Traust (9:49)
Vapnatak (4:03)
Svanrand (3:36)
Elivagar (8:45)
Elddansurin (8:05)
Hamrer Hippyer (14:17)
Total playing time: 1:13:34
“Ofnir” was a very masculine album. To create it, HEILUNG took a big part of the lyrics from preserved rune inscriptions on weapons and armour. “Futha” is the counterpart, the balance point, the feminine side. Here, the lyrics originate from old Icelandic poetry, in which the holy women chant magic spells and offer their blessings. Hence, female voices are more prominent on “Futha”.

HEILUNG means “healing” in the German language and this also describes the core of the band’s sound. The listener is supposed to be left at ease and in a relaxed state after a magical musical journey that is at times turbulent.

HEILUNG reach far back in time to the Northern European iron age and Viking period to create their sound experience. The band utilises many means in their songs: from running water via human bones, reconstructed swords and shields up to ancient frame drums as well as bronze rings.

When HEILUNG self-released ‘Ofnir’ in 2015, the Danish band could hardly have anticipated the breakthrough success of their debut album. Spectacular live shows, strong critical acclaim, and a massive underground buzz added to the constantly high demand for this full-length are the reason why their new label Season of Mist did not hesitate to re-issue ‘Ofnir’ in several collector’s edition formats. HEILUNG‘s live album, ‘LIFA’ (2017) was released in parallel.

The word “Futha” is taken from an artefact, that is still controversially discussed. Big names in runology like Düwel and Heizmann can agree neither on the deciphering nor the meaning of the description.…The word is engraved in a gold bracteate from Skåne (SE), which was produced around 500-530 AD. It was discovered in 1831 and these medals or coins were divided into different categories by the Swedish archaeologist Oscar Montelius. The bracteate in question is a so-called C-bracteate named Schonen II-C (Schonen is the German Name of Skåne) with a horse and a face. The rune inscription is between the hind-legs of the horse. Interesting to mention here is the fact that the majority of full rune set inscriptions start with “futh“, which also is the first three letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is a surplus of theories. This brings us to a runic staff found in Bergen, which was given the rather unpoetic archaeological classification B011. It carries the inscription: “felleg er fuþ sin bylli Fuþorglbasm”, which means: “Lovely is the cunt, may the cock fill it up”. Also interesting is that the Högstena amulet, which we use in the song “Galgaldr”, has an alternative deciphering of the word “futh“, which in this context means “cunt”. All this leaves us with two hints: magic potential and the female genitalia. The great healing power of the female wild strength is evoked in “Futha”. Those who have been present at a birth or seen a lioness hunting, know the spirit. The spirit of the “wilde Weiber” (German), the wild wise women. “Futha” endeavours to connect to a time before the female was degraded to a birth-machine and carrier of eternal inherited guilt. 

“Futha” was three years in the making and was finished for production and print at midwinter, the very darkest day of the solar year, the 21st in the 12th month at 21:00.

Any attempt to link the band with or bring their music into a modern political or religious context is pointless, since HEILUNG try to connect their listeners with a time before the coming of Christianity and modern political ideologies. 

Line-up
Kai Uwe Faust 
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

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BY THE SPIRITS: Polish Neo-Folk Artist Signs Worldwide Deal With Eisenwald

Eisenwald is proud to announce the signing of Polish folk artist BY THE SPIRITS to an exclusive worldwide deal. A reworked compilation of the band’s partial discography is coming later this year.
  BY THE SPIRITS is a folk project hailing from the mystic woods of Lower Silesia near the Ślęża mountain in Poland. Founded in 2016, solo artist Michał Krawczuk has created a remarkable catalog through the practice of ancient magick, and has performed over 40 shows throughout Europe.   The essence of BY THE SPIRITS is to create folk-inspired music hailing to the old gods, telling stories about the connections between man and nature, the spirituality within, and the duality between love and death.
  In order to celebrate the new pact, our partner House of Inkantation is preparing a complete sonic revision of all recordings which were done before and after the band’s full-length release.   “I’m very happy with this signing, I’m looking forward for our future cooperation,” says Krawczuk. “The first release will include old and new songs revised by House of Inkantation. Keep your eyes open.”

Stay tuned for more information in the coming months. WEB LINKS:  
https://bythespirits.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/bythespirits
https://www.instagram.com/bythespirits
https://www.youtube.com/ByTheSpirits
http://tiny.cc/ByTheSpirits_Spotify
https://soundcloud.com/bythespirits
https://store.eisenton.de
http://www.eisenton.de