Hedningarna sounds like the earth itself waking up in a bad mood. It is a thick, muscular take on Nordic tradition that replaces the polite acoustic strumming of typical folk with distorted drones, heavy percussion, and primal vocalizations. The music feels ancient but not old; it has a jagged, modern edge that suggests the 'heathen' spirits they evoke are very much alive and perhaps a bit dangerous.
What truly sets them apart is their physical approach to sound. Using custom-built instruments that look like medieval torture devices and sound like overdriven electric guitars, they create a wall of sound that is both organic and industrial. The integration of Finnish runic singing and Sami yoik adds a haunting, ritualistic layer that feels more like a summoning than a performance.
Start with the album 'Kaksi!' or 'Hippjokk' to experience their peak power. These records defined the neofolk movement of the 90s, blending traditional polskas with a rhythmic intensity that earned them fans in both the world music and electronic dance scenes.
Hedningarna (The Heathens) is a Swedish, and for some years partly Finnish, folk music band that mixes electronics and rock with elements from old Scandinavian folk music. Their music features yoik or juoiggus, a traditional Sami form of song.
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