Music of 2009 - Part X

1. Wardruna – Runaljod-Gap var Ginnunga

Bringing Baldr back – one hymn at a time. Ending our list is an obscure band from Norway with their debut record. I’ll admit that this is a bit of an odd choice for the last spot on this list. But hey, it’s all about the experience you can have with music, and boy did I experience this record. But first a short story. I found this album, (or it found me), when I was questioning a lot of the things around me. My grades were slipping, I was distancing myself from my friends and loved ones. Basically I was going through a “what the hell am I doing with my life?” phase. Nothing seemed to be able to hold my attention, and for someone like me that’s a big problem… Then I listened to these recordings… I felt as if time around me had stopped. For the first time in months I was completely at peace with the world and its inhabitants. Everything just seemed to make sense. As lame as this is going to sound, Gap var Ginnunga took me on a journey. A journey I didn’t want to end. But enough of my life. Onto the record… This is the first of three albums that will focus on the runes of the elder furthark. Each song represents a different rune. As someone who has studied runes and knows the power they hold, this is huge. Each song manages to capture what each rune is all about and does so without overwhelming the listener. Some songs were even recorded on specific days of the pagan calendar to capture the true essence of the God’s in the music. Admittedly, this record is not for everyone. I would only recommend this music to someone who is very open minded and doesn’t mind a challenging listen. But the rewards captured here are endless. This record is a testament to the true power music holds. I had a revelation while listening to it – imagine what it could do for you.