Tag: Eihwar

Eihwar Interview

In a very short time, Eihwar have transformed from an unexpected experiment into one of the most intriguing forces in the Pagan electronic scene. Combining Norse-inspired narratives, trance-inducing rhythms, and a visual universe that feels both ancient and otherworldly, the duo has captured the imagination of listeners around the world. With their new album, Hugrheim, on the horizon and a nearly sold-out tour in sight, we had the opportunity to chat with Asrunn about the project’s unexpected beginnings, the mythology that shapes their music, their upcoming album, the spiritual intensity that fuels their performances, and much more.

Hi Asrunn, how are you doing?

I am doing well, although a bit tired from this last period of promotion and tour preparation. I can not wait to get back on stage and meet the fans. It will be a nice change from these days stuck inside doing the most tedious part of our job!

Eihwar started in February 2023 and immediately attracted attention shortly after a video was posted on YouTube. How did people initially find the video?

It is still a mystery to us. Especially since, on paper, nothing could have worked: It was just a simple, barely animated visual with our logo designed in a few minutes during a burst of inspiration. Just like the song we released, “The Forge,” which was composed, recorded, mixed, and posted in a single day. We diid not tell anyone about this song, not even our friends, because it was never conceived at the time as a band, but as a test of pagan dance music for the after-parties of our traveling events called “La Nuit des Sorcières” (The Night of the Witches) in France. Mark and I assume that its immediate success stemmed from the fact that this music we created filled a gap in a music scene for which there was an eager audience and few options. But it is a question we can only answer with assumptions. The ways of the YouTube algorithm are mysterious.

Why did you choose Eihwar as name for your project?

Eihwar is a blend of the rune Eihwaz and the word WAR. The rune Eihwaz is the rune of the yew tree, a symbol of prudence and reflection before action (a quality definitely lacking in my personality, which tends to burn everything first and think later…). War represents the only one worth fighting: the war against the rigidity of our bodies, and especially our minds, a cancer plaguing our current societies. It is about avoiding the stagnation of our knowledge, our imagination, and our principles, in order to remain open, flexible, and simply alive.

Have you always been connected to Norse culture? Are there other cultures that influence your music?

Mark and I have previously lived in the Viking Age, so we retain some memories that are as hazy as they are incredible. Therefore, we wanted to keep the Viking values that are dear to us in this musical project: bravery, a thirst for discovery, and fierceness.
Regarding the rest of your question, we are spirits who come from Hugrheim, the tenth hidden world of Yggdrasil. That is primarily what inspires us; we are simply telling our story.

Your new album, Hugrheim, will be released on March 13th. What can you tell us about its genesis and lyrics? What are the main differences from your first album?

As mentioned before, Hugrheim is the realm we come from. An intense, unforgiving, ever-changing world, forged by the spirit, itself in constant motion. It is a harsh world, but it is what we call “home.”
When our human hosts die, we will return there, until our new incarnation on Midgard. That is what we wanted to convey in this new work: to reveal more of who we are.

Do you have a favorite track from the upcoming album?

Of the six songs conceived as singles, I would say Heill Óðinn is tied with Nauðiz. Within the album as a whole, it is Skuggaríki. Mark’s Tagelharpa solo possesses an emotional intensity that moves me deeply every time I listen.

Your music videos are stunning. Do you have a favorite? Can you tell us something about the making of your latest music videos?

Thank you so much! It was not easy at all! First, Hugrheim, Nauðiz, and Freyja’s Calling were filmed by our talented friend Samuel Maurin. Heill Óðinn was filmed by us much later. During the filming of Nauðiz, on the Larzac plateau in France, in a private, idyllic, and carefully guarded location, I sprained my ankle three times on the very rugged terrain. I don’t know by what miracle it healed in 24 hours, which allowed us to finish filming just in time. By the way, you can have fun trying to find the shot where I am limping, because I had just twisted my foot on a stone hidden in the tall grass… As for Freyja, it was quite something to film in that magical forest at night with torchlight and the music blasting! A truly witchy experience, I must say…

What are your main musical influences?

I listened to Deftones a lot, they are still my all-time favorite band, and I am also very into Black music from the 50s and 60s. Etta James and Dinah Washington taught me a lot. I am the musical result of jazz pin-ups and angry metalheads.

For the upcoming tour, most of the shows are sold out. How does that make you feel? Is there any place you will play for the first time?

We are both incredulous and filled with gratitude. We do not really understand how we were able to achieve these results in such a short time. We feel loved, which is extremely satisfying and joyfully fills our sense of self-worth and purpose in this world. We can not wait to meet all the people who consciously choose to pay to share a musical moment with us. When you think about it, it is incredible. It forces you to be humble and give your best.

What happens when you are on stage, how do you feel?

I feel whole. This is where I need to be, where I am most useful. It is during these special moments that I connect with Higher Beings, Beings of Light, to fulfill my role as an instrument at their service. I am here to deliver their messages, guidance, healing, answers, and loving energies to anyone who might need them. So, connected in this way, I very easily enter an altered state of consciousness, a trance, and I float for quite a while, and then I sleep like a baby, haha.

You will play some festivals this summer, but what do you have planned after that?

Taking a real vacation. Something we have barely done in three years. Turning off our cell phones and chilling by the river, in our secret spot in the Ardèche. I think Mark would enjoy fishing for trout next to me while I crochet a dress or a sweater.

Thank you so much for your time, it was a pleasure to interview you. Is there anything you would like to say to your fans and anyone reading this interview?

What I say at the end of each of our concerts: Thank you so much for being here, without you we would be nothing.

Tuska Festival, Helsinki (Finland) 27-28-29/06/2025

This year, The Offering was once again present at Finland’s largest metal festival, the legendary Tuska Festival.
The festival, held in Helsinki’s Suvilahti district over the last weekend of June, drew a staggering 60,000 people.
There were four stages featuring both well-known and lesser-known bands, numerous food outlets, side shows for every taste, live interviews at the Tuska Forum in collaboration with the Bleeding Metal Podcast, and this year, it was even possible to plan your own funeral.
The festival was also partially broadcast live on Finland’s main television network, and some shows can be watched for free here.
Below is the report and photos provided by our reporter Cristina Gregori.

Day 1

The first day of the festival, characterized by mixed weather with periods of rain, drew a record 22,000 attendees.
Among the most anticipated bands were In Flames, Electric Callboy, Dragonforce, Knocked Loose, and Imminence.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to see all the bands at the festival because many overlaped, playing on different stages.

Finnish melodic death metal band Horizon Ignited opened the festival with a strong show on the main stage.

Norwegians Blood Command proved on the Nordic Energy Stage that they rock with their captivating and versatile mix of punk rock and metal and plenty of irreverent energy.

Knocked Loose, hailing from the United States, were one of the most anticipated bands of the festival. They delivered an intense and energetic show on the main stage, unleashing hardcore and metalcore fans in a mosh pit.

DragonForce is a band that needs no introduction. With over 20 years of career and known for their turbo-charged power metal, they brought a show to the Nordic Energy Stage that could only be described as a flood of energy and color. Dragons and video games graced the stage, and speed and technical prowess were the watchwords describing what was seen and heard. Even the flying plush chicken had its moment of glory.

The legendary Cradle of Filth took to the main stage bringing their symphonic black metal and the stage presence they are known for.

Bambie Thug, the artist who achieved great success representing Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “Doomsday Blue,” had the opportunity to bring her Ouija-pop style to the Radio City stage. Two dancers accompanied Bambie Thug onstage, and the show was a real eye-catcher; the mix of musical genres and the captivating, sensual choreography certainly made an impression.

Electric Callboy were perhaps the most anticipated band of the day. This band, which boldly leaps from genre to genre, combining schlager and deathcore, hardstyle and industrial metalcore, and everything in between, made its entrance onto the main stage with a bang and confetti. There are many words to describe the show, but none would truly be enough to capture what you can hear and see at their shows. If we could define the band, we would say millennial, because it embodies everything millennials love.

Swedish metalcore band Imminence was among the most anticipated bands of the day. Their performance on the Radio City Stage brought a well-balanced combination of darkness, elegance and passion. There is something enchanting about the way the band approaches the stage and plays.

Closing out the first day of the festival were In Flames, pioneers of the Gothenburg sound. A band capable of reinventing themselves album after album, they are one of the most beloved by metal fans, and their ability to balance new songs with classics live is one of their strengths. The show, despite the rain, was incredible.

Day 2

On the second day of the festival, the most acclaimed bands included Powerwolf, Slaughter To Prevail, Orbit Culture, Wind Rose, and The Halo Effect.
This day was marked by controversy regarding the Russian band Slaughter To Prevail, who had waved the Russian flag at a show in the United States a few weeks earlier. Fortunately, the day went off without a hitch, maintaining the spirit of metal.

The first band to perform on the Nordic Energy Stage was Arion, who have made an impressive and steady ascent to the absolute elite of Finnish melodic metal. Energy and melody are the words to describe their captivating show.

Italian power/folk band Wind Rose threw a party on the Nordic Energy Stage. Their stage presence and infectious energy won over the Tuska crowd.

On the main stage, Mokoma, one of Finland’s best-known and most beloved bands, did not disappoint, getting the Suvilahti Arena spinning and creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Gothic rock supergroup Cemetery Skyline, which includes members of Amorphis, Sentenced, Insomnium, Dark Tranquillity, and Dimmu Borgir, performed on the Nordic Energy stage. The contrast between the sunny day and their gothic music was interesting. It was an extraordinary performance.

Orbit Culture is one of the most promising emerging bands on the international metal scene in recent years. The band played their modern melodic groovy death metal on the main stage, leaving no doubt that their future shines brighter than ever.

Countless Goodbyes is not a new name to us at The Offering, as we’ve watched them grow over the years. The band brought a passionate and energetic show to Kvalt Stage, and the audience loved every minutes.

Alcest, pioneers of French post-black metal and black gaze, performed on the Radio City stage as one of the most anticipated bands, and they didn’t disappoint. Their atmospheric, delicate, and raw performance offered an intense and magnetic experience.

From one French band to another, Eihwar have transformed the Kvalt stage into a ritual, transporting the audience to a parallel universe, where they dance to the rhythm of brutal pagan dancefloor music, combining Nordic folk tradition, ritual chants, shamanic drums and surprising electronic rhythms.

Slaughter to Prevail were eagerly awaited by fans, as this was an exclusive show at a European festival and their first ever in Finland. The band is one of the hottest names in extreme metal and left no doubt about their talent on the main stage; the show was something fans will hardly forget.

Progressive rock band Royal Sorrow made their live debut on the Kvalt Stage, and there’s no doubt the band will soon have a huge following.

For fans of melodic death metal, one of the most anticipated bands was definitely The Halo Effect. The band, comprised of former members of In Flames and led by Dark Tranquillity frontman Mikael Stanne, impressed the audience with their performance on the Nordic Energy Stage.

Powerwolf were undoubtedly the most anticipated band of the day. Their theatricality and generous use of impressive stage props transformed the main stage into something unique. Corpse paint and flawless power metal made the show unforgettable.

Day 3

A storm was forecast for the third and final day of the festival, and to make the area safe, the organizers decided to remove anything that might pose a risk, such as the screens on the sides of the main stage. Fortunately, the day turned out to be excellent, with sunshine and a bit of wind. This day also opened the doors to younger metal fans, with minors able to enjoy the festival and see their favorite artists until 6 p.m. Among the most anticipated bands were Lorna Shore, Motionless in White, Nothing More, Whitechapel, Kim Dracula, and Apocalyptica.

Cyan Kicks brought their catchy radio hits to Tuska for the first time. The band rocked the Radio City Stage audience with their infectious energy, delivering a flawless show.

Finnish industrial metal gems and presenters of sick disco, Turmion Kätilöt, brought the party to the festival’s main stage. The band did not disappoint their fans, putting on a show like only they know how.

Lights to Remain bring together the best parts of 90’s melodic death metal mixed with 00’s metalcore. The band performed on the Kvalt stage and did not leave anyone cold with their energetic performance.

Kim Dracula emerged from TikTok, creating metal covers of non-metal songs, and is now one of the most anticipated artists. What was seen and heard on the Radio City stage was something unusual, a mix of diverse influences, moments of jazz and death metal. An unforgettable and unusual show.

Apocalyptica need no introduction: they took to the main stage to promote the follow-up to their legendary debut album, where cellists from Helsinki’s renowned Sibelius Academy played a symphonic tribute to the greatest of the Big Four: heavy metal titans Metallica. Even those who are less familiar with the band were able to join in and sing along to Metallica classics. The show was a veritable explosion of energy.

Whitechapel have always been among the absolute pinnacles of deathcore, and they finally made their mark at Tuska. The band performed on the Radio City stage, perhaps a little too small for the audience due to the tent. The show was intense, giving fans an unforgettable experience.

The Vantages, a young Finnish band, enchanted the audience on the Kvalt stage with their irresistible mix of vintage guitar rock and gothic nostalgia from the turn of the millennium.

The last band to grace the Kvalt stage was Noiduin, a dark folk band from the west coast of Finland. The band, which builds all its instruments by hand, enchanted the Tuska audience with the rhythm of their shamanic drums and the dark echoes of folk that filled the air. It was a show that will go down in history.

Closing out the festival was the most anticipated band: Lorna Shore. The band needs no introduction, having made waves in recent years thanks to their exceptional results and an album that many considered groundbreaking. The show showcased the talent of the musicians, particularly singer Will Ramos and guitarist Adam De Micco, all accompanied by pyros. During their performance there were at least three circle pits, this show how loved this band is.

Tuska is considered a safe festival by those who attend, where people can be themselves, free from preconceptions and prejudices. The audience is a mix of black and brightly colored outfits, giving free rein to their imagination and making the festival even more unique and unforgettable. Being a unicorn, a fairy, or a demon is possible during the three days, and there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing all these beautiful people express themselves and be part of an incredible community.

https://tuska.fi/