Torulf is a Nordic Tribal artist from Sweden. His compositions are manifestations of his own outer voyages and inner experiences. 

Release Date: 16th February 2024

Label: Grimfrost Records

Format: Digital / CD

Torulf’s Saga, a series of concept albums, traverses visual soundscapes by setting sail on mythical journeys – spellbinding stories bringing a bond between ancient and new paths. Through distinct rhythms and melodies, using electronic and folk instruments, theTorulf Saga unfolds in Swedish and Old Norse.

Vakna opens the album in epic fashion. Over the course of nine minutes, the scene is set with swirling synths, chanted vocals, marching rhythms and an aura of otherworldliness. It is a majestic soundscape that truly transforms the mind. When the midpoint of the piece hits, there is a moment of lift off. A special kind of elevation.

From here, the journey just gets more and more enthralling. The vocal passages on Ek Rið are glorious; the sparse opening to Hriðs Hymn is decked with a haunting spoken word passage over the rising tension of the strings and cracks of thunder. As the marching drum rises, there are earthy incantations being spoken. Like Vakna, Hriðs Hymn builds to a moment where all the colours come out. It is hard not to be moved by such a coalescence of music.

VaÌgvisare swirls in its opening as another epic twist on this journey unfolds. This piece serves as a mid-point ambient interlude. before trickling waters pave the way for Den Sovande Jättens Spiral. With traditional Norse instrumentation layered beautifully in the piece, it is again hard to contain emotions. These emotions and moments will speak to you in different ways, but whichever way you paint it, this is truly evocative.

The title track, Ristningar i Ginnungagap, starts life as a heavy ambient piece. Via a cursory search of the internet, Ginnungagap loosely translates as ‘yawning void.’ The connection with both the Earth and the void is strong. Pulsing percussive moments heighten the tension and the words echo like they are being shouted into a cavernous void. The piece settles in the way it opens.

Asynjor Leder Mig Hem bookends this chapter of the saga in spiritual fashion. Vocal harmonies reach for the skies to complete what is a truly awe inspiring and evocative album that with an open mind, can take you to many places.

Ristningar i Ginnungagap will be released via Grimfrost Records which is run, in part, by Amon Amarth frontman, Johan Hegg. You can find out more about the label here.

To get a flavour of Torulf, check out the video below of Torulf using a tagelharpa to build a soundscape.

Torulf: Website / Bandcamp / Instagram / Facebook

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