RecentMusic - Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik New Releases

Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik

Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik are two monumental figures in the contemporary Norwegian music scene who have channeled their deep roots in Norse history and culture into their creative work. Ivar Bjørnson is widely known as the guitarist and prime songwriter of the influential Norwegian progressive black/Viking metal band Enslaved, which he co-founded at the tender age of 13. His work with Enslaved has earned him a prominent place in the annals of heavy metal and Norse-inspired music. Einar Selvik, on the other hand, is the driving force behind Wardruna, a musical project that delves into and resurrects the ancient and mystical traditions of Nordic and Viking folklore through a unique blend of traditional instrumentation and historical themes.

Together, Bjørnson and Selvik have contributed to the creation of a unique musical narrative that explores their shared interest in Norse tradition and history through evocative soundscapes. Their collaborative project materialized in the commissioned piece "Skuggsjá," originally performed at the Eidsivablot festival in Eidsvoll, Norway, in 2014 to mark the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution. The piece developed into a full-length album released in 2016 under the same name, allowing them to fuse their distinctive styles—Enslaved's complex metal and Wardruna's ancient folk—in a modern exploration of their cultural heritage. The collaboration continued with the release of "Hugsjá" in 2018, a term that translates to "seeing with, or within, the mind," which further manifested their artistic voyage into Norse traditions and thought. In 2020, Bjørnson and Selvik released "Hardanger," once again exemplifying their capacity to blend the old with the new to create timeless and atmospheric music that pays homage to their rich heritage.

Genres