Nordic folk act Wardruna have delivered the title track for their forthcoming album Birna today.

The visual for the song, which can be seen here, was directed by longtime collaborator Tuukka Koski and produced by Breakfast Helsinki and Ragnarok Film. Wardruna founder Einar Selvik said this about the new song:

“The song illustrates a dialogue between man and bear, exemplifying the various traits and abilities we humans have sought to borrow from these significant totemic animals throughout history.

The bear doesn’t need my help or any human traditional ornamentation to be its own powerful self. It is quite the opposite if one looks to past bear-traditions worth remembering. We learn, we dream of borrowing its traits and abilities. We fear, revere, and try to walk alongside but on separate paths. Respectfully, claim space and give space. However inconvenient it may be, further taming of the wild can never be the fruitful way forward. For me, it profoundly felt like the right time to give voice to the Birna, mother and shepherd of the vanishing woods."

Birna arrives on January 24 release via Sony Music and By Norse Music. On the album’s release date, Wardruna will also release the concert film Live at the Acropolis. The film, which will be released on Blu-ray and DVD, was recorded at the band’s UNESCO World Heritage Site performance in September 2023. Pre-orders for both releases can be made here.

Wardruna will have a bevy of performances in Australia, the U.K., and Europe in the new year. Tour dates can be seen below. Tickets are on sale to the general public right now here.

Wardruna tour dates

January 23 Melbourne, AU Palais Theatre

January 25 Sydney, AU Enmore Theatre

January 27 Brisbane, AU Fortitude Music Hall

January 30 Auckland, NZ Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre

Special guest Jo Quail on March UK and IE dates

March 17 Liverpool, UK Philharmonic

March 18 Birmingham, UK Symphony Hall

March 19 London, UK Royal Albert Hall

March 21 Bristol, UK Beacon

March 22 York, UK Barbican

March 23 Dublin, IE Olympia Theatre

March 25 Glasgow, UK SEC Armadillo

April 26 Oslo, NO Operaen SOLD OUT

April 27 Oslo, NO Operaen SOLD OUT

April 29 Trondheim, NO Olavshallen

May 2 Kristiansand, NO Kilden

May 3 Stavanger, NO Konserthuset

May 4 Bergen, NO Grieghallen

June 7 Reykjavik, IS Harpa

July 25 to 27 Red Eagle Campground (Cut Bank), MT Fire In The Mountains

July 30 to August 30 Rasnov, RO Rockstadt Extreme Fest