Skuggsjá stream new track of debut album

IVAR BJØRNSON & EINAR SELVIK’S SKUGGSJÁ, the thrilling and tempestuous collaboration between ENSLAVED and WARDRUNA are now premiering another new song taken form their forthcoming debut full-length 'Skuggsjá', which has been slated for worldwide release on March 11th via Season of Mist. 

The track "Kvervandi" is exclusively streaming HERE

Regarding "Kvervandi", Einar "Kvitrafn" Selvik comments on behalf of the band: "The word 'Kvervandi' means 'turning' or 'whirling' and is lyric-wise rather playfully displaying the various cycles of nature and of life from a Norse perspective. The song itself is heavy, slow moving, emotional and uncompromising just like the turning wheels of nature."

IVAR BJØRNSON & EINAR SELVIK’S SKUGGSJÁ have previously revealed the artwork and tracklist of 'Skuggsjá', which can both be viewed below. The cover has been designed by the renowned Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu.

Tracklisting

1. Intro: Ull Kjem 

2. Skuggsjá 

3. Makta Og Vanæra, For All Tid

4. Tore Hund 

5. Rop Fra Røynda - Mælt Fra Minne 

6. Skuggeslåtten (instrumental)

7. Kvervandi 

8. Vitkispá

9. Bøn Om Ending, Bøn Om Byrjing

10. Outro: Ull Gjekk

Bonus tracks deluxe Digipak

11. Skaldens Song Til Tore Hund

12. Quantum Pasts (Rop Frå Røynda - Bardspec Ed)

When renowned musicians such as ENSLAVED guitarist / composer Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik – the mastermind behind WARDRUNA, which gained attention far beyond the world of music for their contributions to the score of the acclaimed 'Vikings' TV-series – join forces, the outcome is far too easily dismissed in advance as a "super project". 

Yet with SKUGGSJÁ the two Norwegians have clearly not only successfully combined their musical handwriting, but the sum of the duo's craft is more than its already outstanding parts. Both are adding sonic expressions to the other's sound that are enhancing their excellent songwriting into something new. Harsh metal guitars seem to effortlessly connect with ancient instruments and the emerging intricate patterns are reminiscent of the intertwined, whirling and deeply fascinating Viking age animal styles translated into songs. The result is a richly evocative sonic tapestry for the mind to wander on and create images of a long gone past without any misplaced nostalgia.

'Skuggsjá' was originally conceived as a commissioned musical work written by Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik. The arrangement was performed by ENSLAVED and WARDRUNA as a concert piece in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution at the Eidsivablot festival in Eidsvoll, Norway on September 13th, 2014.

The growing desire to present SKUGGSJÁ to a broader audience has ultimately led Bjørnson and Selvik to record their work in its entirety. The word "Skuggsjá" translates into "mirror" or "reflection" in the Norse tongue. 

By highlighting ideas, traditions and instruments of their Norse past, SKUGGSJÁ speak of the history of Norway and reflect relevant aspects from the past into our present day. Using metal instrumentation as well as some of Scandinavia's oldest instruments and poetry in Norse and Norwegian, 'Skuggsjá' represents a fusion between past and present, both lyrically and musically.

Line-up

Ivar Bjørnson: vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards

Einar Selvik: vocals, taglharpa, Kravik-lyre, goat-horn, birch-bark lure, bone-flute, percussion, electronics 

Contributing musicians

Grutle Kjellson: vocals

Lindy-Fay Hella: vocals

Eilif Gundersen: birch bark lure

Olav L. Mjelva: Harding fiddle

Cato Bekkevold: drums

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