Experimental folk band Heilung take influence from the music of centuries ago, putting a modern, ambient spin on primal influences from the age when the Vikings ruled the land. Their latest effort is Futha, a new LP due June 28th via Season of Mist (you can pre-order yours), and the album's lead single continues the group's mission of self-described "amplified history." An ancient-sounding female vocal leads off "Norupo," which quickly builds upon the traditional Norse vibe, adding moody synths, tribal percussion and animalistic throat singing to create an atmospheric piece that might score a post-battle scene from Game of Thrones. Fans of everything from Wardruna to the quieter moments of Myrkur will prick up their ears in delight.
According to the band, the new track is deeply entrenched in Scandinavian tradition: "'Norupo' is based on the poem known as 'the Norwegian rune poem.' The poem was preserved in a 17th-century copy of a now lost 13th-century manuscript. The Norwegian rune poem gives a complete description of all 16 runes of the younger Futhark, also commonly known as the 'Viking runes.' These runes are also the foundation for the artwork of Futha." See that artwork and check out the group's upcoming performance dates below.
Heilung festival performances 2019:
04/11: Tilburg (NL) @ Roadburn Festival
04/17: St. Petersburg (RU) @ Aurora
04/19: Moscow (RU) @ Arbat Hall
06/20: Copenhagen (DK) @ Copenhell Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)
06/29: Helsinki (FI) @ Tuska 2019 (Exact date TBA)
08/18: Borre (NO) @ Midgardsblot 2019 (Exact date TBA)
09/07: Selb (DE) @ Mediaval Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)
10/19: Hameln (DE) @ Autumn Moon Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)
Heilung European tour:
10/22: Palladium (PL) @ Warschau
10/24: Berlin (DE) @ Admiralspalast
10/26: Essen (DE) @ Colosseum Theater
10/28: Munich (DE) @ Circus Krone
10/30: Prague (CZ) @ Hybernia
11/01: Halle (DE) @ Händelhalle
11/03: Vienna (AT) @ Der Globe
11/05: Zurich (CH) @ Volkshaus
11/07: Kiel (DE) @ Kieler Schloss
11/10: London (UK) @ Roundhouse
11/17: Brussels (BE) @ AB
11/20: Paris (FR) @ Elysée Montmartre
