Enslaved's Ivar Bjørnson and his Hugsjá collaborator Einar Selvik (Wardruna) have announced that they will release a new two-track EP, Hardanger, through By Norse on November 5.
"One of the places that made the strongest impression on Bjørnson & Selvik during the initial research and following performances that created their second collaborative piece Hugsjá was the area of Hardanger, a few hours from their base in Bergen, Norway," the duo's label By Norse explains. "Hardanger is mysterious, pure and able to blow the minds of even the most experienced hikers and nature dwellers. It is also assumed to be the area in the Germanic tribe of the Harudes settled in ancient times, becoming the first Western Norwegians.
"The title track celebrates the history of this land being populated from both the Harudes and other peoples migrating, meeting and melting together - thus creating what we now know as Norway. It is a percussion-heavy track, with ores of both traditional and exotic melody lines crossing and moving steadily through the sonic landscape of Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik. The song features guest appearances by Lindy-Fay Hella (Wardruna, Lindy-Fay Hella & Dei Farne), Grutle Kjellson and Iver Sandøy (the latter two both from Enslaved).
The other song on the EP is Heim til Yggdrasil, a re-imagination of Enslaved’s much loved song Return To Yggdrasill - selected by Einar Selvik for the Hugsjá live-tour. The song fitted so well into the IB & ES tapestry that they eventually decided to invite the entire live band (Silje Solberg on Hardanger fiddle, Iver Sandøy on drums/ vocals and Håkon Vinje on piano/ vocals) to record it with them for this release."
Hardanger will be available as black and grey 12” vinyl with etched B-side, limited white and green 12” vinyl with etched B-side – online stores exclusive and digital.
At the same time the pair have announced a reissue of their 2016 collaboration Skuggsjá for November 5.
Originally conceived as a commissioned musical work written by Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik. The arrangement was performed by Enslaved and Wardruna as a concert piece in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution at the Eidsivablot festival in Eidsvoll, Norway on September 13, 2014.
By highlighting ideas, traditions and instruments of their Norse past, Skuggsjá speaks of the history of Norway and reflect relevant aspects from the past into our present day. Using metal instrumentation as well as some of Scandinavia’s oldest instruments and poetry in Norse and Norwegian, Skuggsjá represents a fusion between past and present, both lyrically and musically.
The By Norse Music re-issues on CD and 2LP feature a completely renewed artwork with the full lyrics and English translations (previously available only in long sold-out limited editions).
Pre-orders for both (UK and Europe).
