Written By Caine Blackthorn
Norwegian Nordic folk collective Wardruna have released “Helvegen II,” a newly recorded interpretation of one of their most defining compositions, accompanied by a cinematic music film shot against the stark landscapes of Iceland.
Released October 30, 2026, through By Norse Music, the recording revisits “Helvegen,” originally released in 2012. But this is more than an exercise in nostalgia. The song has traveled far beyond its origins, becoming part of funerals, memorials, weddings, births, and communal singing traditions around the world.
For Wardruna founder and composer Einar Selvik, that unexpected journey became the inspiration for returning to the composition.
Over the years, “Helvegen” has evolved through live performances, collaborations, guest appearances, and changing arrangements. Rather than attempting to replace the original recording, Wardruna sought to capture what the song has become through its connection with listeners.
Its title, commonly translated as “the road to Hel,” reflects the song’s exploration of mortality and the passage between life and death. Yet its enduring significance lies in something more universal: the human need to give grief, remembrance, and transition a voice.
A Journey Through Iceland’s Otherworldly Landscape
The accompanying music film reunites Wardruna with longtime visual collaborator Tuukka Koski.
Filmed along Iceland’s remote shoreline, the production uses the meeting point between land and sea as a visual representation of the boundary between worlds.
Finnish dancer Sofia Ruija portrays the deceased, expressing the journey through movement rather than conventional storytelling. Beside her appears Krummi, a raven whose silent presence adds another layer of symbolism to the film.
Together, the imagery and music create a meditation on departure, transformation, and the mysteries that surround death.
A Song That Became Bigger Than Its Creators
“Helvegen” has long occupied a special place in Wardruna’s catalog, reaching audiences well beyond the Nordic folk scene, including through its appearance in the television series Vikings.
Its continued evolution reflects something fundamental to Wardruna’s approach to music: ancient traditions remain meaningful not simply because they are preserved, but because people continue to live through them.
“Helvegen II” acknowledges that relationship between artist, composition, and audience, allowing a familiar work to speak again through a different interpretation.
The new recording is available digitally now, while a limited 12-inch vinyl edition pairs “Helvegen II” with “Helvegen (Skaldic Version).” The vinyl is available exclusively for preorder by By Norse store and Wardruna Store through November 30, 2026, with delivery scheduled for February 2027. Only the quantity reserved during the preorder period will be pressed.
Watch Wardruna’s new “Helvegen II” music film and explore the release through the band’s official channels.
About The Author
Caine Blackthorn writes music news, trending topics, commentary, and feature pieces for Metal Lair with a focus on the shifting culture surrounding rock and heavy metal. From rising ticket prices and touring collapse to legacy artists, industry absurdity, and the changing soul of live music, his work blends sharp observation with the grit, humor, and frustration of the scene itself. Whether covering modern chaos or metal history, Caine approaches heavy music as something lived through, not simply reported on.
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