Verjaseiðr, the first dark folk album of Draugablíkk, draws deeply from the well of the otherworldly, seeking to rekindle the spirits of the ancient Galdramenn of Nordic cultures and the powerful warrior shamans of the eastern, steppe-born Huns.
Will you join us in the quest to discover the hidden secrets of the universe? If you take the journey, you might find how music can unlock the mysteries of the ages and set you free.
Verjaseiðr Tracklist:
- Fornrít: At Verja Sik (To Protect Onself)
- Arnlokkur
- Herjúlfamáni
- Ǫndskuggi
- Hreinnhǫfði
Listen here.
Bleak and Wintry Lands
In the bleak and wintry lands of Scandinavia and Finland, where the shadow of the North Pole looms ever large, the people who have made their home there developed a unique spiritual lexicon — one shaped by the harsh and unforgiving landscape in which they reside.
“For untold millennia, our forebears regarded the earth and its majestic peaks as an embodiment of what was real, a baseline from which all hailed.”
At the next level, they recognized the presence of other humans, each a vital part of the grand tapestry of existence. And, high above them all, they gazed up at the sky, with its golden sun and shimmering stars, the ultimate expression of the divine and the highest plane of reality.
Such was the worldview of those who dwelt in the North, their beliefs forged by their surroundings and their spirits infused with the essence of the land.
Verjaseiðr — The Album
Verjaseiðr’s creation was imbued with a purpose: to fortify the emerging thought form of Draugablíkk to command and aid the essence of our reality.
The songs were wrought with great care and precision and are powerful talismans that evoke the senses, offering protection against ancient, malevolent forces that threaten to consume us. Such is the power of this eldritch music — a mystical tool that taps into the universe to ward off the primal evils that lurk beyond our realm.
“Only by the careful ministrations of a young woman reciting spells and incantations could a warlock’s life force be rekindled and brought back from the brink of death.”
Despite what established academia thinks, the Old Norse word “varðlokkur” means warlock. The term describes male sorcerer shamans, whose mystical practices are shrouded in mystery.
The varðlokkur, or galdramenn, would recite enchanting melodies, invoking protective spirits and healing entities. In doing so, they would slip into a state of near-lifelessness, drained by the rigors of the ritual. It required the careful ministrations of a young woman reciting spells and incantations could a warlock’s life force be rekindled and brought back from the brink of death.
At the center of arcane knowledge lies the elusive art of verjaseiðr, an ancient shamanic practice that harnesses the power of nature and the spirit realm. Those who possess this skill can unlock the secrets of a world beyond our own, beckoning forth entities from the vastness of the ether to provide healing, protection, and prophecy.
Album Cover Art
Hiǫrtr. Ormr. Úlfr. Arn. Those are Old Norse words for deer, serpent, wolf, and eagle. These animals adorn the Verjaseiðr cover art and are profoundly inspired by the Jelling (Denmark) and Urnes (Norway) period styles of Viking Age animal art.
- The stag Eikþyrnir stands guard on top of Valhalla.
- The ormr longships lie ready to embark on new adventures.
- The úlfhéðnar warriors are waiting for the next full moon.
- The mighty eagle rises, brought west by the Gothunni, and Saxons, who some believe are descended from the Saka-Wusun.
“Hiǫrtr. Ormr. Úlfr. Arn. Those are Old Norse words for deer, serpent, wolf, and eagle. Symbols of power and magic.”
A symbol of power and majesty, the eagle has long captured the imagination of humanity, soaring high above the clouds and gazing down upon the world below. In ages past, this regal bird was not just a creature of flesh and blood but a messenger of the gods themselves, a totem of strength and wisdom that held a special place in the hearts of ancient peoples.
Often mistaken for a raven, the iconic eagle emblem on the Verjaseiðr artwork was introduced to Europe by the Scythians and the Huns thousands of years ago. The eagle became the family emblem of the Goths, the Anglo-Saxons, the Swedes, and other tribes of ancient Europe.
