Skuggsjá from Norway is the project of Enslaved’s guitarist Ivar Bjørnson and Wardruna’s multi-instrumentalist Einar Selvik. Originally formed for a commissioned performance at the Eidsivablot Festival’s 200th Anniversary, the band was subsequently announced as a headlining act of Roadburn Festival 2015 and took off on its own from there. They are now signed to Season of Mist and their as-yet-untitled debut album will see a release date early in 2016.
Skuggsjá comment:
“When we were asked to write a joined convert piece by the Eidsivablot festival for the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution, we both immediately saw the outline of something massive and important.
Our performance confirmed that this project should live on, develop and thrive. During 2015 we have performed the piece once more at the Roadburn festival, and have also discreetly slipped in and out of studios around Norway to record what is to become our debut album.
We are extremely proud of what we will present on this album; and are delighted to be working with the professionals at Season of Mist. It has been quite a journey already for the two of us, but this where it really begins. We have created something that is bigger than its individual parts. Now we are excited to see what the world make out of our creation!”
All things good,
Ivar & Einar”
“Skuggsjá translates into ‘mirror’ or ‘reflection’ in the Norse language. This composition not only contextualises the role of extreme music in Norway’s democracy in the year 2014, but also joins threads from the country’s ancient musical history and solidifies the position of metal as Norway`s most important cultural export.
By highlighting ideas, traditions and instruments of their Norse past, Skuggsjá tells the history of Norway and reflects relevant aspects from the past into the present day. In light of they reflect on themselves as a people and nation. In a magnificent tapestry of metal instrumentation, a wide variety of Norway’s and Scandinavia’s oldest instruments as well as poetry in Norse and Norwegian, Skuggsjá is a fusion between past and present, both lyrically and musically” the press release notes.
The core line-up includes Ivar Bjørnson on vocals guitars, bass, keyboards; and Einar Selvik on vocals, taglharpa, Kravik-lyre, goat-horn, birch-bark lure, bone-flute, percussion and electronics. The album also features contributions from other acclaimed Norwegian musicians (including members of Wardruna and Enslaved).
Contributing musicians
Grutle Kjellson: vocals
Lindy-Fay Hella: vocals
Eilif Gundersen: birch bark lure
Olav L. Mjelva: Harding fiddle
Cato Bekkevold: drums
