Wardura brought their unique brand of Norse-inspired, ambient folk to the heart of Brisbane, delivering an unforgettable performance that blended ancient rituals with contemporary artistry.
The Fortitude Music Hall hosted the night (27 January) steeped in the atmospheric, primal, and transcendental sounds of Wardruna in their first-ever Brisbane concert.The audience was also atmospheric and primal, made up of people clad in black, rabbit-skin vests, blond dreadlocks, and sliver runic jewellery. They swayed in a trance to the music, which truly evoked a different world.
Wardruna is a band like no other, and strangely recalls Mongolian throat chanting. It has the same, semi-spiritual resonance you can feel vibrating in your bones. The instruments they use to create their sound are similarly unique, drawing on ancient Nordic instruments such as the Bukkehorn – made from a goat/ sheep horn – and the Kravik-lyre - a wooden instruments that almost looks like a violin from a distance.
Image © Bill Prendergast
The most visually impressive, however, has to be the Viking-age lur. The lur almost defies description, but is a long, thin brass instrument. It curls around the player's shoulder to tower above their head like a serpent, but has what looks like a large shower head on top. It is both beautiful and imposing, and makes a earthy, gothic hum.
The integration of traditional and modern instrumentation was key to the show's success. The blend of flute, drumming, and vocal harmonies created an organic, ritualistic atmosphere, with each song feeling like a prayer to nature's forces.
Image © Bill Prendergast
Wardruna's music often feels timeless, as though tapping into something much older than any of us, yet it also remains accessible to a modern audience. Einar Selvik leads the group, and is the main vocalist and composer. His deep voice had a timbre that resonated throughout the space, and truly anchored the performance.
Selvik was joined by a talented group of musicians, each of whom played an integral role in weaving a tapestry of sound that ranged from hauntingly delicate to thunderously powerful. Einar's vocals and organic deep tone of the music were relieved by Lindy-Fay Hella's soaring voice.
Image © Bill Prendergast
The group's connection to nature is an ethos that underpins their art, and is laced through their work. Natural objects, such as bones and stones, are used in the music to heighten and complement the theme of their songs. While their black metal roots also clearly influence their sound; the performance often felt more like a spiritual ceremony than a concert.
Wardruna's Brisbane concert was a reminder of the power of music to transcend time and space. Wardruna's ability to connect with the primal rhythms of nature and humanity is a rare gift. For many, it was a night of deep reflection, of spiritual connection, and of music that will echo in the hearts of the audience for a long time to come.
This concert was more than just a performance; it was an invitation into a different realm, one where the music is not only heard, but felt.
More photos from the concert.
