Wardruna – Birna

Is January the month of Northern Folk, or what? I know Wardruna isn’t exactly a Metal band. If anything, it’s Metal in spirit. Either way, there’s a significant overlap between you, my dear readers, and people who enjoy this shamanic music. Birna is my latest attempt to leave my comfort zone and review something outside the usual themes of heads chopping or sadness spiraling into madness. Yet, it’s still rooted in nature and folklore, so it’s not entirely unfamiliar territory. Let’s see if Wardruna has delivered something satisfying or if we’re leaving this feast hungry.

To be fair, the album is more dynamic than I expected. It strikes a good balance between tension and release, with slow, deep sections giving way to more adventurous passages. I was surprised at how easily some parts could accommodate a proper riff or two, though Wardruna doesn’t rely on that to shine. The band excels with its traditional instrumentation, which, while not overly complex, manages to encapsulate the Viking imagery many of us recognize thanks to mainstream media.

There’s plenty of variety across the tracks, which is impressive considering Birna’s minimalist approach to music. Wardruna has always had a talent for crafting epic atmospheres that feel like they belong in a medieval fantasy video game. Has this band ever been part of The Witcher’s soundtrack? Because it absolutely should be. Maybe even for the show—it might actually make it watchable. That said, this is still a Folk album, and I’m still a Metalhead, so my criticisms come from a more cynical perspective.

Don’t worry; I’m not going to complain that it’s not brutal or melancholic enough. My main issue with Birna is its pacing. It’s uneven. Some tracks are short, dramatic, and memorable, while others, like “Dvaledraumar”, stretch to 15 minutes with slow build-ups that nearly put me to sleep. Given how much space Wardruna uses in its compositions, these long stretches can feel tedious, especially after the excitement of the shorter, more focused tracks. As usual, trimming some of the excess would make the whole experience more enjoyable.

So, if you’re in the mood to sit back and relax or geek out over Nordic Folk, Birna has something to offer. But if you need tighter pacing or more intense energy, it might feel too detached from your usual cup of Jack Daniel’s. Either way, stepping outside your comfort zone can be rewarding. What’s the worst that can happen? Feel like a poser? Maybe you already are, and that’s fine—after all, we all pose in some way. Deep thoughts, courtesy of this mystical journey.

Label: Norse/Sony Music

Release date: 24 January, 2025

Website: https://www.wardruna.com/

Country: Norway

Score: 3.0/5.0 that feels deep