Fourteen years after its original release, Wardruna return to one of their most important song, “Helvegen II”, released on 30 October 2026, presents a new recording of the song, accompanied by a music film directed by Tuukka Koski and filmed in Iceland. The project reflects how much “Helvegen” has changed through years of live performances and the deeply personal connections people have developed with it.
In a statement accompanying the release, the Norwegian collective explain that work on this new version has been quietly underway for several years. The intention was never to replace the original, but to capture what the composition has become after more than a decade on the road. Few songs in the band’s repertoire have travelled quite as far, both musically and emotionally.
Over the years, “Helvegen” has found a place in people’s lives well beyond the world of concerts. Wardruna have heard from listeners who have used the song during funerals, memorials, weddings and other important moments. It has also been embraced by communities singing it in different languages and in their own traditions. What began as a composition written by the band has gradually become something shared with an audience spread across the world.
A New Film Shot in Iceland
The new recording comes with a music film directed by longtime Wardruna collaborator Tuukka Koski. Shot on location in Iceland, it brings together the landscape, movement and imagery to accompany the themes running through the song.
Finnish dancer Sofia Ruija appears in the film, portraying the deceased, while a raven named Krummi accompanies the journey. The Icelandic coastline provides the setting for this visual interpretation, adding another dimension to a composition closely associated with death, passage and remembrance.
Limited Vinyl Edition
For those who prefer their music in physical format, "Helvegen II" is also receiving a limited 12 inch vinyl release. The edition features two recordings:
Side A: "Helvegen II"
Side B: "Helvegen (Skaldic Version)"
Pre orders are open until 30 November 2026, with only the quantities reserved during this period being pressed. The expected release date is February 2027.
Vinyl pre orders are available through the official storesStay Connected With Wardruna
The band also have their own dedicated app, offering fans a direct way to follow the latest news, releases, announcements and activities.
Download The Wardruna AppWith “Helvegen II“, Wardruna document another stage in the life of a composition that has continued to grow since 2012. Its meaning has expanded through the experiences of those who have carried it with them, and this new recording gives that journey a fresh musical expression.
As the band put it in their announcement, “a tradition only truly survives when it is lived“.
