BEAUTIFULLY SOMBER, YET ACCEPTING // Kalandra - Helvegen // Composer Reaction & Analysis

[@erik5820]

Some facts: The language of the main part is (a rather archaic) form of modern/medieval Norwegian. This part is written by Einar Selvig (see under). The last part, the outro, is in Old Norse. It is four stanzas (verses) from the 'Håvamål' text collection which is probably made around 700-900 AD in Norway, and written down first in the 13th century on Iceland which had a rich skaldic tradition at the time. The band is Kalandra (yep), but the song title is just Helvegen ('the path to the realm of the dead'). It is a cover song. It was written by Einar Selvig for his band Wardruna. Wardruna, featuring the angelic singer Aurora, made a fantastic live version played at the Bergenshus fortress in Bergen : kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ_Ohah-hZ6kadE

[@sanjuro66]

Sidenote: The lead singer, Katrine Stenbekk...toured with Wardruna in Europe.

[@Henkersknoten77]

ooohhh, Kalandra, one of my favourite bands recently. so much soul. saw them live with Leprous, they were great ❤

[@Johnyl30]

I've seen them with Leprous too. They are great together

[@rudymeixell3426]

I definitely was impressed with the lead vocalist here. I probably complain about vocals in music much more often than I complain about instrumental performances. They tend to be a weak link in rock and lots of other popular music. I don't know if this is something I would come back to, but I find it pretty palatable on a first listen. Good point about the fullness of the vocalists delivery even at a lower volume.

[@progperljungman8218]

The Norse folk traditions has so much to offer! There's also so many modern ways of playing with that melancholic, mysterious vibe. Never heard this before, and it certainly was gorgeus! Loved your enthusiasm and fascination with it as well!

[@janeg6759]

This was gorgeous 😍. I literally typed that before you said it 😀. Definitely going on my playlist.

[@th5841]

Check out their album The Line and thank me later!

[@progperljungman8218]

Totally agree (of course)😊 May I suggest, while on the subject, a Norwegian folk-prog band called Gåte? 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmasmqKnfb9nZ5Y

[@th5841]

@@progperljungman8218 Hear hear

[@rolfjamne8922]

Love this band. They toured with Leprous this year and they can get quite Proggy with some Complicated Oddtime signatures. Check out the live version of Ensom.

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

Really beautiful and haunting. Also hard to pinpoint genre-wise; it's folky, but I don't think I've ever heard an organ in a folk song! Reminds me a bit of Dead Can Dance, but not enough that I'd ever mistake one for the other. Definitely going to have to check these guys out.

[@th5841]

You will not regnet. It. Their album The Line is great.

[@progperljungman8218]

This was a foot-pumped organ (harmonium?) that was a common instrument from the 1800's.

[@progperljungman8218]

​@@th5841checking out their debute EP Beneath the Breaking Waves atm. Astonishingly beautiful(!) and also "progressive" in style. This is en par with Gåte if not even better....

[@jonathanhenderson9422]

@@progperljungman8218 Interesting on the instrument! I do still think it's pretty unusual to hear one in folk-ish inspired music.

[@johnseward2934]

Really, really powerful. Entrancing. Superbly emotional. Didn't even need to understand the language to understand the message. This reminds me of Onda in its primal power and incredible sonic journey.

[@Henkersknoten77]

tears and goosebumps. everytime. it does not fail. ever.

[@ChipMatthews]

Love this band. They have a pretty wide range but always this gorgeous melancholy and artful dissonance. Even though they're very different, they hit the same sweet spot that Steven Wilson's work does for me. They've carved out a really distinctive sound. They've also done soundtrack work with a more epic folk flavor with voice used only as an instrument that's gorgeous. Very much worth going down their rabbit hole.

[@rolfjamne8922]

Steven Wilson; producing Kalandra's next album would be nice.

[@ChipMatthews]

@@rolfjamne8922 That would be amazing

[@johnytwo]

Thanks for reaction. You said, that the song was building up to something... and than silence... well, that is so poignant interpretation of dying. That is what crossing the line of death means. Will you react to more Kalandra? They deserve more attention. They have released a new beautiful single recently and I heard there is gonna be a new album.

[@johnytwo]

Oh, and you should react to Aurora. I mean, as an experienced musician, you would appreciate her genius and originality and performance and voice (and production). She is one of the most sincere and dedicated artists around.

[@KardashevBand]

One of the most moving and powerful songs I've ever heard. Can't wait to hear your thoughts! :D

[@muskett00]

Breathtaking beauty in this one. Great track!

[@marta150]

Thanks for reacting to my selection. I was unsure whether you would like it as it is repetitive. Yet, it does have shape, building, then releasing. I thought your comment before you read about the song that it seemed to lead to acceptance was spot on. I enjoy your channel. Thanks again. This is one of my favorite songs.

[@marta150]

I'd like to mention that the melody of the outro was unique to Kalandra and makes their version especially nice. In Selvik's current version for his group Wardruna the outro is spoken. I love that version as well.

[@marta150]

One more comment: For those who are interested, here is the original version from Wardruna, back when Gaahl was still part of the group. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3qrgIlmbL2ierM I hadn't heard this version for a long time, the outro has a bit of melody, unlike later versions.

[@rolsen1304]

Artig å se Kalandra på denne kanalen:)

[@marta150]

@@rolsen1304 Mye god musikk fra Norge

[@rolsen1304]

@@marta150 Ja vi har mange unike artister i forhold til befolkningstall:)

[@rolsen1304]

This somehow feels as holy as Misirere Mei, Deus by Allegri.

[@jamesthemachinedean]

Their album the line is a great album, perfect for driving the country side to.

[@dmytrodanilov9334]

In my opinion Kalandra has better songs then this cover song. I suggest to check even one of these songs: Virkelighetens Etterklang Concrete Landscapes Not Some Fairytale P. S. They get used to add some dark chords or shades to lightness of their songs. It brings a witch atmosphere .

[@CriticalReactions]

If this wasn't even their best then I can't wait to further explore their works.