REVIEW + GALLERY: Wardruna Live at Enmore Theatre 25/1/2025

5 days ago2 min read

Written and Photographed by Jordan Newton

Ques of Ragnar Lothbroks, shield maidens and metal heads lined around the block of Enmore Road on Saturday night, eagerly waiting to raid Enmore Theatre. The crowds soon forgot the busy streets of Newtown as they entered the main stage which was designed as if you were entering dark firey cave, preparing to listen to stories from the Sagas, Eddas and tales of Norse Mythology. The stage itself consisted of drapery which changed colour and affect throughout the show depending on the song from firery caves, woodland forest, snowy mountains peaks to thunderous clouds.

After an hour and a half of anticipation, Einar Selvik along with Lindy-Fay Hella, John Stenersen and the rest of Wardruna came across the stage and began their traditional Nordic instrumental music of cinematic scale. The show also coincided the release day of their sixth studio album "Birna" which was on sale along with assortment of tshirts, DVDs and patches.

Wardruna's (which name means the guardian of secrets or she who whispers) set consisted of traditional instruments including deer-hide frame drums, flutes, kraviklyra, tagelharpe, mouth harp, goat horn, and lur. This along with the sounds of trees, ravens, rocks, water, and torches made the experience a traditional and a step back into ancient times where stories were told by the fire. A favourite moment was when Einar and Eilif Gundersen sounded the goat horns echoing through Enmore Theatre at the beginning of Tyr. Imagine being a Christian monk in Middle Ages England and hearing those horns off in the distance. It would terrifying the depths of your bones as it did mine. Einar's lyre solo tracks Völupsá and Snake Pit Poetry felt like a page torn of Vikings or Assassin's Creed Valhalla (both of which he had a part in composing) with its harmony and peaceful strings.

Lindy-Fay's valkyrie singing and possessed dancing together with Einar haunting vocals, shadowy visuals and the band of traditional instruments created a sense of a sacred ritual taking place. Having the songs sung in Old Norse tongue felt more spiritual. Language was a feeling rather than an understanding.

“This is the core of what Wardruna is. Taking things from the past that still resonate and are relevant.” - Einar Selvik

Wardruna is one of the rare acts along with Heilung and SKÁLD to definitely go and see to get your Viking fix. They take what is ancient and make it resonates within all of us. A sense of culture and storytelling which reminds us were we came from and where we are going.

WARDRUNA Sydney Setlist 25/1/2025