Austin Wintory - Banner Saga (Original Soundtrack) - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

About the album Following an intensive period in the studio, InchKvitravnInch (White Raven) musically continues where the Runaljod trilogy left off, yet it marks a distinct evolution in our sound. The album features a broad selection of both traditional and historical instruments such as Kravik-lyre, Trossingen-lyre, Taglharpa, Sotharpa, Langeleik, Crwth, Goat-horn, Lur, Bronze-lur, flute, Moraharpa and the record also features guest appearances by a small group of prominent traditional singers, spearheaded by Kirsten Bråten Berg, one of the most important custodians of Norwegian traditional song. Throughout eleven songs, InchKvitravnInch discusses Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature and animism, the wisdom and meanings of certain myths, various Norse spiritual concepts, and the relation between sage and songs.

From the deep woods now emerges Birna, Wardruna's sixth studio album. Through his never resting dialogue with nature, main composer Einar Selvik has been searching for the voice of the bear. Birna - the she-bear in Old Norse - is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature's caretaker, and her battles here on earth. Slowly driven out of her habitat by modern day societies, she has entered a stage of permanent hibernation. As a result, the forest is gradually dying, longing for it's pulse and heart - it's shepherd. Birna calls for her return.

From the deep woods now emerges Birna, Wardruna's sixth studio album, scheduled for January 24, 2025 through Sony Music and By Norse Music. Through his never resting dialogue with nature, main composer Einar Selvik has been searching for the voice of the bear. Birna - the she-bear in Old Norse - is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature's caretaker, and her battles here on earth. Slowly driven out of her habitat by modern day societies, she has entered a stage of permanent hibernation. As a result, the forest is gradually dying, longing for it's pulse and heart - it's shepherd. Birna calls for her return. The bear frequently figures in the oldest myths of mankind in the northern hemisphere, and many indigenous people still regard this animal as a totem, honouring it with rites and songs. Instruments and wisdom from ancient times, coupled with modern day soundscapes and recorded sounds of nature, provide a rare opportunity to tell us something valuable about ourselves. It works as a reminder that we are part of nature, not above it, and it offers a way of remembering, not for memory's own sake, but to gain both new and forgotten insights.