Norwegian dark folk outfit Wardruna are acclaimed for their innovative reimagining of ancient Nordic traditions, and as such, they've contributed extensively to the soundtrack for the History Channel series Vikings. All of this make the band's co-founder Einar Selvik (formerly of black-metal group Gorgoroth) perfect to create music for the latest installment of the blockbuster game Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed Valhalla, which is due out in November.
Out now is the EP Out of the North, which features seven tracks from the Assassin's Creed Valhalla soundtrack including Selvik's "Hrafnsmál - The Words of the Raven." Today (July 31st), Selvik has teamed with Revolver to premiere the new lyric video for the song — watch it above, and below, read the musician's comments on the composition. Out of the North was released digitally by Lakeshore Records on July 17th and also includes music by the Assassin's Creed franchise's core composers Jesper Kyd and Sarah Schachner.
"'Hrafnsmál - The Words of the Raven' is a song based on an excerpt of a medieval Skaldic poem from around year 900 by the Norwegian skald Þórbjǫrn hornklofi," Selvik tells us. "Through historical instruments, their inherent tonalities, oral poetic traditions and language, I have aimed to make creations that could potentially bring the player closer to the theme and era of the game. Hearing the song together with stunning visuals from the game as well as lyrics and translation, gives great sense of what to expect in the actual game. Hope you will enjoy!"
