Heilung – LIFA Iotungard (Live at Red Rocks 2021)
Release Date: 9th August 2024
Label: Season of Mist
Bandcamp
Genre: Folk, Pagan, NeoFolk.
FFO: Wardruna, SKÁLD, Sowulo.
Review By: Hillary Wisniewski
Heilung has gained well-earned recognition since their formation in 2015 and rightfully so. Their sound is a much-needed balm for our increasingly overly connected, yet disconnected existence. Meaning ‘healing’ auf Deutsch, Heilung harkens us to join with the natural world through the ritual involved in their sound and live shows. Not only have they reached audiences through their highly praised performances, their work has been featured on a variety of shows, including Vikings and Game of Thrones. Generally, there has been an increased interest in Nordic cultures and paganism in recent years, so it is no surprise that these folks have generated buzz. These tribal kindred spirits consist of Kai Uwe Faust, Christopher Juul, and Maria Franz. An impressive supporting cast of performers enhances their live ‘rituals’ of which LIFA Iotungard is but one recording.
Connection with ancient sounds and the natural world is something I can greatly appreciate; I often think we have strayed too far from our roots in this regard, and it has not done us well in terms of our overall well-being. Truly something stirred in me listening to LIFA Iotungard. The amalgamation of the drumming, various styles of singing, and weaving together or stories of days gone by really transported me to another realm. It was like a journey through dense forests, rolling hills, and lush streams; with every beat of a drum, you delved further into the vegetation and felt encapsulated in the natural world. Heilung works with an array of instruments including drums (some of which are made from animal skin), bones, rattles, bells, an ancient stringed instrument called a ravanahatha, and more. Throat singing, battle cries, growls, chants, and melodic vocals ring out above the sacred sounds. A popular misconception is that Heilung are only channelling their Germanic/Nordic roots; the music draws from a variety of ancient styles from areas of both Europe and Asia. If the point is to have the sound and performance be a ritual, then it makes sense to incorporate what comes in the moment. According to singer Faust,“Our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist and disappear in isolation…With singing these primordial songs we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other.” Having listened to this album several times, it is one of those works in which you will pick out something new with each listen.
To me, listening to this without seeing the actual performance left me feeling as if I missed out on a critical piece of the Heilung experience. Although the listen lent itself to being able to visualise different landscapes, it felt like something wasn’t completely lining up. This doesn’t deter from the music, though, and I suppose if I had to do anything differently, I would watch the video performance of this album first as opposed to just hearing it. No matter-that can always be remedied, and you can learn from my mistake. Regardless, my hope is LIFA Iotungard helps you ground yourself and reconnect with all that is sacred.
(4 / 5)
