Wardruna
Kvitravn- First Flight Of The White Raven
By Norse Music
Released: June 10, 2022
Nordic Folk legends Wardruna prove why they are one of the world’s finest live acts with Kvitravn – First Flight Of The White Raven, their first official live album.
With the foray into video game music composition, more specifically his solo work on Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Wardruna mastermind, Einar Selvik, has proven himself to be both what we know – an incredibly competent Nordic folk songsmith – while also showcasing a far more contemporary side to that competency.
This was never more evident than on Wardruna’s fifth studio album, 2021’s Kvitravn. Said album glossed over the ethnomusicology of Norge with sonic enhancements befitting the multi-million selling franchise from Ubisoft. What worked well for the Assassin’s Creed soundtrack, also worked reasonably well within the arrangements of Kvitravn. That said, I can sympathize with purists, the more traditional of Wardruna fans, who might have been put-off by some of the pomp and circumstance found on Kvitravn.
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Well, cry no more, traditionalists, as Wardruna are about to give you the album you have longed for! This one, titled Kvitravn – First Flight Of The White Raven, the band’s first official entry into the live album category, while also acting as the official virtual launch of Kvitravn, eschews much of the au courant in favour of authenticity. The live portion of this release was recorded with all members present in a room together, and purportedly has zero overdubs, tuning correction or edits.
Considering the quality of the performance, the realization that what you are hearing is exactly as it was recorded is, well, mind blowing. Individual performances, particularly in the vocal department, are the true highlight of this release. The voices of both Einar and his female counterpart, Lindy Fay Hella, soar to new heights, taking the listener on a flight over the fjords and majestic mountains of their stunning homeland.
If anything, Kvitravn- First Flight Of The White Raven demonstrates that Warduna are at their best with seemingly little effort. Within that effortlessness is a purity and magic that was missing from their last studio effort, which came across as perhaps a bit too orchestrated and thought-out. Here’s hoping that Einar can strike the perfect balance between both worlds on their next studio release.
Pre-orders for this first official live album, Kvitravn- First Flight Of The White Raven, can be found over at the By Norse Music website.
For Fans Of: Einar Selvik, Heilung, Danheim
Track Listing:
01. Synkverv
02. Kvitravn
03. Skugge
04. Grá
05. Fylgjutal
06. Munin
07. Kvit Hjort
08. Viseveiding
09. Ni
10. Vindavlarljod
11. Andvevarljod
12. Kvitravn (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
13. Skugge (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
14. Solringen (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
15. Bjarkan (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
16. Raido (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
17. Voluspá (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
18. Isa (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
19. UruR (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
20. Grá (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
21. Vindavlarljod (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
22. Rotlaust Tre Fell (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
23. Fehu (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
24. Helvegen (First Flight Of The White Raven Live)
