Here’s a strong, neo-folk pack of energy straight outta Valhalla. I don’t know what’s the name of the female singer, but her chanting is a perfect match for the solemn male choirs. A piece to march on through “bad” weather. Even all the way to Uppsala :).

“I’m gonna fight ’em all
A seven nation army couldn’t hold me back
They’re gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back
And I’m talking to myself at night
Because I can’t forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind a cigarette
And the message coming from my eyes
Says “Leave it alone”
I’m going to Uppsala
Far from this opera for evermore
I’m gonna work the straw
Make the sweat drip out of every pore
And I’m bleeding, and I’m bleeding, and I’m bleeding
Right before the Lord
All the words are gonna bleed from me
And I will think no more
And the stains coming from my blood
Tell me “Go back home””

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMznpUsdH54^

For Spotify users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/1NdfWHmjZkJDi1YpgoBZyS^

And here’s the Discogs entry for whoever wants to buy this album:

https://www.discogs.com/SKÁLD-Vikings-Chant/release/14244591^

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In Norse mythology, Ginnungagap (“gaping abyss”, “yawning void”) is the primordial void, mentioned in the Gylfaginning, the Eddaic text recording Norse cosmogony.

Well, for a song about the primordial void, this one is pretty delicate and happy. The metalhead in me says that a song called so would have worked better from the pagan black metal scene. But then my spiritual side interjects and says: “but who says the void is dark, or violent?”. Indeed, Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism see the void in a much more mature way.

The metalhead in me is wrong and this song is a beautiful celebration of the importance of the primordial void. Leave your senses behind, save perhaps for hearing and let this song show you.

You can listen to the melody for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location.

https://sowulo.bandcamp.com/track/ginnungagap-acoustic^

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZFy9xp060s^

For Spotify users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/1dsOAuwHc47QboILt0gIDJ^

For Deezer users (high quality):

https://www.deezer.com/track/138386471^

Another link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3gJ5G9dKqU^

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An acoustic and choral masterpiece the likes of which human history just loves to parade around the Universe with. Even without knowing anything about the folklore behind this song, the strength of life flows through it with unstoppable might. That may not be apparent in the first couple of minutes, because life just rests then. But just wait for the rest to end and for the musicians to really start shining.

The lyrics, with translation:

“Alt liv – kvilande
Alt liv – glimande”

“All life – resting
All life – shining”

You can listen to the melody for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location.

https://wardruna.bandcamp.com/track/isa^

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDyAp-wtnFo^

For Spotify users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/7aZrjrEBm30lntozZHt3Zb^

For Deezer users (high quality):

https://www.deezer.com/track/128809235^

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A song of light and life, arising with the force of Universal vibration. A song of spirit and divinity, blessed with Kati’s pure-as-fire voice. A song that cannot be opposed, only joined.

“Now bring Light
Now bring Life

Now Light
Now Life”

You can listen to the melody for free, in good quality, on BandCamp, which is one of the best websites when it comes to supporting artists. You can also purchase the song (or album) from this same location. And in case you’re wondering, yes, I did purchase Ran’s album :).

https://ranarvegr.bandcamp.com/track/lys^

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQcjShoo5bU^

For Spotify users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/0vEcmgeC7paLq6sukRpxxE^

For Deezer users (high quality):

https://www.deezer.com/track/599835152^

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Voices twine and shine on this completely acoustic melody whose lyrics offer ageless wisdom. Harps, flutes and choirs are the sweet companions of this song’s deep message. It’s a delicate musical poem praising the beauty of life.

“Every night & every morn
Some to misery are born
Every born and every night
Some are born to sweet delight
Some are born to sweet delight
Some are born to endless night
Sweet delight
Endless night
Sweet delight
God appears and god is light
To those poor souls who dwell in night
But does a human form display
To those who dwell in realms of day
What appears as God at night
Is but a man within the light”

YouTube (decent quality):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR9U2pFZNuI^

For Spotify users (high quality):

https://open.spotify.com/track/67WyV4jODXUTAxbHqlgmiz^

For Deezer users (high quality):

https://www.deezer.com/track/128569251^

The album can be purchased directly from the artist’s website:

https://www.worldofomnia.com/webshop/cd-reflexions-2018^

And here’s the Discogs entry:

https://www.discogs.com/Omnia-Reflexions/release/11934025^

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