Norwegian dark folk band Wardruna have announced their sixth album, Birna, due out on January 24 via Sony/By Norse Music. It was written and recorded over three years by composer, lyricist, and vocalist Einar Selvik and his frequent collaborator, vocalist Linda-Fay Hella, and also features Eilif Gundersen (bukkehorn, lur, flute, backing vocals), HC Dalgaard (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Sondre Veland (percussion, backing vocals), John Stenersen (mora-harp) and Arne Sandvoll (percussion, backing vocals). See the cover art and tracklist below.
Birna includes Wardruna’s April single “Hertan,” and they’ve shared a second new track, “Himinndotter,” which translates to “sky daughter.” “‘Himinndotter’ is part of a six-song exploration of the bear on our upcoming album, Birna (She-bear),” Selvik says. “The title plays on the globally common notion of the bears’ mythical origin as a celestial being. ‘Himinndotter’ also features a guest appearance from the Norwegian choir, Koret Artemis.” Watch the video, filmed in Norway’s Rondane National Park and directed by Tuukka Koski, below.
In conjunction with Birna, Wardruna are also releasing Live at the Acropolis on DVD/Blu-Ray, featuring their September 2023 performance at the venue with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
Wardruna’s only US show this year is a Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 3 with Chelsea Wolfe, but they also have shows in Latin America and Europe, and 2025 dates in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the UK, running through June. See all dates below.
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
WARDRUNA: 2024-2025 TOUR DATES
October 3 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre *
October 6 Mexico City, MX Auditorio BB
October 9 Santiago, CL Teatro Caupolican
October 12 São Paulo, BR Terra SP
November 7 Milan, IT Teatro Degli Arcimboldi
November 8 Zurich, CH The Hall
November 9 Paris, FR Salle Pleyel #
November 11 Hamburg, DE Laeiszhalle
November 12 Berlin, DE Tempodrom
November 14 Lyon, FR Amphithéâtre 3000
November 15 Frankfurt am Main, DE Jahrhunderthalle
November 16 Nürnberg, DE Meistersingerhalle
November 17 Vienna, AT Konzerthaus
November 20 Halle, DE Händelhalle
November 21 Prague, CZ Forum Karlin
November 23 Utrecht, NL Tivoli Vredenburg
November 24 Utrecht, NL Tivoli Vredenburg
November 26 Düsseldorf, DE Tonhalle
January 23 Melbourne, AU Palais Theatre
January 25 Sydney, AU Enmore Theatre
January 27 Brisbane, AU Fortitude Music Hall
January 30 Auckland, NZ Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
March 17 Liverpool, UK Philharmonic #
March 18 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall #
March 19 London, UK Royal Albert Hall #
March 21 Bristol, UK Beacon #
March 22 York, UK Barbican #
March 23 Dublin, IE Olympia Theatre #
March 25 Glasgow, UK SEC Armadillo #
April 26 Oslo, NO Operaen
April 27 Oslo, NO Operaen
April 29 Trondheim, NO Olavshallen
May 2 Kristiansand, NO Kilden
May 3 Stavanger, NO Konserthuset
May 4 Bergen, NO Grieghallen
June 7 Reykjavik, IS Harpa
July 30 to August 30 Rasnov, RO Rockstadt Extreme Fest
* with Chelsea Wolfe
# with Jo Quail