jueves, 27 de junio de 2013

Libro: The last Vikings




The Last Vikings
The epic story of the norse voyagers
Kirsten A. Seaver
English | 2010 | ISBN: 1845118693 | 288 pages |

Late in the tenth century, the Norse Vikings embarked on a voyage of no return. Leaving Iceland first for Greenland, from there they sailed onwards to North America, setting foot on its shores five hundred years before Columbus's first journeys of discovery. But by about AD 1500 their settlements were abandoned and the Norse Greenlanders and their explorations of the New World receded into the realms of myth. What happened between these momentous events? How did the Vikings really live -- and die -- and why have so many myths and legends grown up around this mysterious people of the sea?

Drawing on her deep knowledge of the culture and history of the region as well as the most up-to-date evidence from archaeology, medieval history and the evocative Sagas, Seaver weaves together a compelling and authoritative history. Alongside their spectacular achievements and discoveries, she also vividly evokes the last Vikings daily lives and explains why their apparent departure from Greenland in 1500 was not quite such a dramatic schism in the historical record as is often assumed. This compelling history of a people living at the fringes of the known world offers an illuminating entree into the world of the Norse Greenlanders which will captivate all who have ever wondered about the fate of the Vikings and will stand as the definitive work for years to come.

lunes, 24 de junio de 2013

Heidra (viking metal danés)


Heidra

Morten Bryld - Vocals, Martin W. Jensen - Guitar, Carlos G.R. - Guitar, Morten Kristiansen - Bass, Danny Svendsen - Keys, Mikkel Køster - Drums


Sworn to Vengeance 

A ship arrived this morning 
A messenger clad in black 
Bearing tidings oh so grave 
Of my brother’s untimely demise

I stand at the bow of my ship 
I must set things right 
My men are all behind me 
Honour-bound to fight

I feel a great rage within 
This is no time to mourn 
Blood is surging through me 
To vengeance I am sworn

We have left shallow waters 
The open sea lies ahead 
When we reach the southern coast 
We stare into the face of death

And though some may crumble 
As death stares right back 
My determination cannot falter 
I will sound the final attack

A crimson sun on the horizon 
The air is freezing cold 
My heart is pounding 
And in anger I clench my fists

We take to the oars to make it in time 
Before the enemy has moved on 
The shadow of grief weighs me down 
But I will forever push on

We’ve picked up a fresh trail 
They cannot be far ahead 
When we find those wretched knaves 
Our swords will taste their blood

My men follow me without hesitation 
Into the lands of the enemy 
Out of the ashes, into the fire 
We shall end their sorry lives

The enemy approaches from the south 
It’s time to meet them head on 
And as we make our way into a clearing 
Arrows soar and battle is joined

[Solo: Carlos G.R.]

The enemy is upon us 
Ferociously they fight 
Flailing swords and axes 
We defend against their might

I feel a great rage within 
This is no time to mourn 
Blood is surging through me 
To vengeance I am sworn

We must hold on 
We can’t fall back 
Fighting to gain the upper hand 
We strike them hard 
We fight with skill 
Slaying our way to victory

We must hold on 
We can’t fall back 
No swordsman unchallenged 
We strike them hard 
We fight with skill 
Slaying our way to victory

I fight my way to their leader 
His blood will be mine 
I raise my sword for the final strike 
My hand guided by the divines

I feel a great rage within 
This is no time to mourn 
Blood is surging through me 
To vengeance I am sworn


Kinsmen 




In the sky a jet-black raven flies 
And deep below you can hear the cries 
Of ancient warriors locked in battle 
Swords strike hard and armours rattle

The old gods watch from mountains high 
As brothers draw their last breath and die 
They were too bold, they did not know 
The dangers their final battle would hold

So ride, now proudly into battle my friend 
The time has come to die for your kinsmen

Kneeling down, their brothers pray 
That from their chosen path they will not stray 
To the golden halls, their final resting place 
They ride to fulfil their destiny

Armies are sent into battle 
Endless wars for gold and glory 
Thousands sacrifice their lives 
At the behest of their kings

Silhouettes of ghostly warriors 
Wander forever on a road to nowhere 
They did not find their way 
To the ancestral halls

Kneeling down, their brothers pray 
That from their chosen path they will not stray 
To the golden halls, their final resting place 
They ride to fulfil their destiny

Silhouettes of ghostly warriors 
They died for a cause not their own 
Corrupted, abandoned, defeated 
No skalds shall tell their tales

In the sky a jet-black raven flies 
And deep below you can hear the cries 
No fires illuminate the endless night 
Death is theirs, unless they fight

The old gods watch from mountains high 
As brothers draw their last breath and die 
To fight for the king is their only life 
To battle, to battle, this could be the last stride

[Solo: M. W. Jensen]

Death is like an infinite dream 
So embrace the final sleep 
Fight at your kinsman’s side 
The time has come to die


Twelve Berserks 



Twelve were the berserks 
Sons of Arngrim 
Born in the northlands 
Where wolves roam 
Great fear they spread 
Where they came 
Strongest of them 
Was mighty Angantyr

Hjorvard was one of twelve 
He swore that he would have 
The daughter of king Ingjald 
For her beauty and skill she was renowned

Twelve were the berserks 
Sons of Arngrim 
Born in the northlands 
Where wolves roam 
Great fear they spread 
Where they came

To the realm of king Ingjald 
The twelve brothers went 
And before the king’s table 
Hjorvard spoke these words: 
“Far I have come, lord Ingjald 
An oath I have sworn 
That I will have your daughter 
Or no other woman”

Two men were there with Ingjald 
Hjalmar and his companion Od 
Hjalmar had heard Hjorvard’s speech 
And these words he spoke to the king: 
“Do you remember, my lord 
How I have served you all these years? 
The battles I have won for you? 
I deserve your daughter!”

Hjorvard was immensely angered by these words 
He stood up and challenged Hjalmar to holmgang

Hjalmar accepted the challenge 
They agreed to meet on a far-away island 
This duel would decide 
Who was to have the king’s daughter

Twelve were the berserks 
Sons of Arngrim 
Born in the northlands 
Where wolves roam 
Great fear they spread 
Where they came


Forfædres kald 



Føl havets vinde rase 
Mærk stormens kolde favntag 
Vi sejler mod nye kyster 
Forfædres kald gjalder fra det høje

Langskibe prydet med dragehalse 
Sejler stolte fra havn!

Det mægtige hav vi trodser 
Vor dødsforagt uden lige 
Navigerer efter stjernehimmel 
For nyt land at finde 
Hvor vor rejse ende vil 
Ved kun skæbnens gudinder

Bølgerne går højere og højere 
Kaster vore skibe mod klipperne

Havet har ført os til en ukendt kyst 
Brødre vi mistede til Ægirs luner 
Vi har fundet nyt land 
Hvor træer står frodige 
Snedækkede fjelde knejser 
Så lang øjet rækker

Vi har mistet vore skibe, men ej vort håb 
Så længe Njords vind blæser ufortrødent

Synger en hymne til moder natur 
Hun hvorfra alt smukt udspringer 
Eviggrøn og frodig asken står 
Skal i mands minde aldrig visne

Hvo som sine forfædre ære vil 
Må fatte sværd fra gamle tider

Forfædres kald gjalder fra det høje! 
Det genlyder i dale og mellem bjergenes tinder!

martes, 18 de junio de 2013

Música: Androis (cyberpunk)


Androis 
cyberpunk instrumental inspired by Norse Mythology

Valhalla (2012)


Asgard: The End of the Days (2011)


viernes, 14 de junio de 2013

Viking tattoo / tatuajes vikingos

Ginnungagap Art

--------------------------------------------------------------

vikINK

My viking tattoo board on Pinterest

--------------------------------------------------------------



Nine day ritual 




--------------------------------------------------------------

Viking tattoo 2


sábado, 8 de junio de 2013

Música: Ofärd


Deeply rooted in tradition, Ofärd (pronounced approx. /ooh-færd/) is an innovative Scandinavian Folk Metal project that came to life in the ancient wilderness of Öland in 2011.

With lyrics based on nature, folklore, cultural heritage and factual episodes and legends from the Scandinavian megalithic antiquity, bronze age, vendel age and viking age, Ofärd intends to give a new dimension to folk metal.

The cover illustrates a Völva (an alleged seer and practicant of sejd)
holding a staff that resembles the Viking Age artifact
found in Klinta, Öland, in 1957.
The raised stones and surrounding nature capture the essence
of the typical cultural landscape seen in Southern Öland.
The original painting was made by contemporary artist 

Martin Enrique Pelozo especially for this single. 

Layout and complementary artwork by Segersäll and Morten Gråfäll. 


Recorded during May/June 2012 at Gråborg Studios and La Nave de Oseberg Studios.

Sound producer: Rodrigo Gudiña.
Recording engineers: Jorge Perini and Rodrigo Gudiña.
Mix and mastering: Sebastián Manta.

Loops used in Völvans Spådom by Jens Engelbrecht and Peo Drangert (“Scandinavian Roots Vol. 1”)

In case you wondered, Ofärd do not believe in politics, fundamentalism, religious or racial intolerance, or any other kind of narrow-minded behaviour. They believe in Nature, Music and the strong bonds that unite lovers, family and brethren.

No folk instruments were harmed during the recording of this single!

Facebook

Ofärd are:
Segersäll: Vocals, guitars, Irish bouzouki, jaw's harp, hurdy-gurdy, månmarkapipa, shawm, hulusi, tin whistle and duduk.
Morten Gråfäll: Nyckelharpa, säckpipa and programming.

Guest artists:
Matias Taubas Oyola: Bass.
Pablo Taubas Oyola: Drums.
Pablo Monteys: Soprano and Alto sax.
Johanna Ribnikov Gunnarsson: Backing vocals and Völva interpretation.





At the roots of the nine known worlds, where the shadow of the Tree becomes one with the Abyss, Grimnir stands ready. The roar of the underground rivers is defeaning but the Masked One cares not. Never before did he speak in vain and nor shall he now. For his is the knowledge of the words of power and it is in him to know how mightily, how high they should be sung. She sleeps in the mist, in the eternal veil of those whom the earthly element had claimed. She is gone and yet there she lies.

The truth is Grimnir needs her, as the crows needs the carrion, as a woman needs a man's seed, so does the Hanged One need his sejdkona. Thus he sings for her. And when the echo of his galdr dies out, the burial mounds are all light and carcass and spirit become one. She is here, she is now with us. Thus, she opens her dead eyes and begins her own song of vision and delusion

Music by Morten Gråfäll. Arranged by Mårten Gråfãll and Segersäll.
Words in Old Icelandic by Segersæll.



War Of Ragnarok Intro - Theme by Ofärd

At the roots of the nine known worlds, where the shadow of the Tree becomes one with the Abyss, Grimnir stands ready. The roar of the underground rivers is defeaning but the Masked One cares not. Never before did he speak in vain and nor shall he now. For his is the knowledge of the words of power and it is in him to know how mightily, how high they should be sung. She sleeps in the mist, in the eternal veil of those whom the earthly element had claimed. She is gone and yet there she lies.

The truth is Grimnir needs her, as the crows needs the carrion, as a woman needs a man's seed, so does the Hanged One need his sejdkona. Thus he sings for her. And when the echo of his galdr dies out, the burial mounds are all light and carcass and spirit become one. She is here, she is now with us. Thus, she opens her dead eyes and begins her own song of vision and delusion.

Music created by Sergio Ribnikov Gunnarsson and Mårten Gråfäll.
Words in Old Icelandic by Segersæll. The Swedish text is loosely based on Erik Brate's rendition of Völuspá.

From Words from the Dead by Ofärd, Scandinavian Folk Metal
Released 01 July 2012

War of Ragnarok