Wardruna is a Norwegian music group founded in 2003 by Einar Selvik, along with Gaahl and Lindy-Fay Hella. The band is dedicated to creating musical renditions of Norse cultural and esoteric traditions, utilizing a broad selection of traditional and historical Nordic instruments, such as deer-hide frame drums, flutes, kraviklyra, tagelharpe, mouth harp, goat horn, and lur. They also incorporate non-traditional instruments and other sources of sound like trees, rocks, water, and torches to enhance the nature of the themes portrayed in their music.
The name "Wardruna" translates to "the guardian of secrets" or "she who whispers," reflecting the band's mission to give voice to ancient, nature-based traditions that still resonate and carry relevance in the present.
Wardruna's discography includes six full-length albums, with the first three—Runaljod – Gap Var Ginnunga (2009), Runaljod – Yggdrasil (2013), and Runaljod – Ragnarok (2016)—forming a trilogy inspired by the 24 ancient runes of the Elder Futhark. Their subsequent albums, Skald (2018) and Kvitravn (2021), continue to explore Norse themes, with Kvitravn delving into Northern sorcery, spirit-animals, shadows, nature, and animism.
In 2025, Wardruna released their sixth studio album, Birna, which means "she-bear" in Old Norse. This album is dedicated to the warden of the forest and nature’s caretaker, reflecting on themes of environmental degradation and the longing for nature's return
The band's lineup has evolved over time, with current members including Einar Selvik (vocals, tagelharpa, kravik-lyre, bukkehorn), Lindy-Fay Hella (vocals), Arne Sandvoll (percussion, backing vocals), HC Dalgaard (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Eilif Gundersen (bukkehorn, lur, flute, backing vocals), and John Stenersen (moraharpa).
Wardruna has gained international recognition, partly due to their contributions to the soundtrack of the television series Vikings and their collaboration with the Norwegian government on the musical piece Skuggsjá, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution.
