WARDRUNA - Kvitravn: First Flight Of The White Raven Live (Vinyl) (2LP)

Black vinyl 2LP pressing in gatefold sleeve with 8 page booklet.

In 2022, a year after the release of Kvitravn and as a prelude to the forthcoming live dates, Wardruna are presenting Kvitravn - First Flight of the White Raven - a new release on 2xLP and 2xCD, captured from their lauded, boundary-pushing virtual live-streamed experience First Flight of the White Raven of March 26th 2021, and the original Kvitravn studio album of 2021 on the 2xCD and digital versions.

This new release captures their special set list consisting of new songs from Kvitravn and fan favourites from across their discography. The Kvitravn - First Flight of the White Raven Live 2xLP features the audio live experience from the stream, newly mastered for this release!

Released on January 22nd 2021, Wardruna 5th studio album "Kvitravn" scored numerous international chart entries, such as #1 in Austria, #1 in Canada (World Music), #2 in Germany, #2 in Switzerland, #3 in USA (Americana/Folk), #8 in Poland, #11 in Norway and #12 in Sweden, among many more.

"Kvitravn itself is an album I've been thinking about writing for a long time," says Wardruna's Einar Selvik (back in March 2020) of Kvitravn, the powerful new album by Norway's atmospheric weavers of tales, issued worldwide on 21 January 2021. "For me, this album points out more clearly than ever what has been the ultimate goal or motivation of Wardruna since the beginning - taking old thoughts that still carry relevance and creating something new with them."

Kvitravn translates as "white raven" which, as Einar puts it, is also his artist name. "The raven is an animal I have a totemic relationship with, which is why I chose that for myself," he explains. "But although this album is in a sense more personal and more down to earth than before, it is also quite obscure. I delve into the philosophical, the esoteric, the Nordic myths and how these old traditions define human nature and nature itself. So the white raven was not chosen as the title because of my name, but more due to the ideas which inspired me to take that name in the first place."


Following an intensive period in the studio, Kvitravn musically continues where the Runaljod trilogy left off, yet it marks a distinct evolution in Wardruna's unique sound. In a rich musical tapestry, Wardruna use a broad selection of both traditional and historical instruments such as Kravik-lyre, Trossingen-lyre, Taglharpa, Sootharp, Langeleik, Crwth, Goat- horn, Lur, Bronze-lur, flute, Moraharpa, and the record also features guest appearances by a small group of prominent traditional singers, spearheaded by Kirsten Br ten Berg, one of the most important custodians of Norwegian traditional song. Throughout eleven songs, Kvitravn discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs. The first preview of audio from the album will arrive on 21st Feb!

Wardruna have carved a rich, polyphonic and dramatic musical landscape that honours the ancient past without gimmick, whilst simultaneously illuminating meaningful expressions of Norse tradition through intrinsically detailed contemporary composition. Beyond genre, theirs is a sound that must be truly experienced.