Heilung – A Tribute to the Iron Age

Heilung’s Nordic experimental folk group Heilung creates an atmosphere of sacredness and ritualisticism through their music, often described as “Amplified History.” Their music creates tangible sensations within listeners while conveying vivid images from an ancestral world whose practices remain mysterious.

Christopher Juul and Kai Uwe Faust met through Viking reenactment and use animal hides and bones as musical instruments in powerful war chants and cleansing rituals.

Healing from Trauma

Trauma occurs when we experience an event which poses a severe threat to either our physical or mental health, from car accidents and extreme emotional abuse in relationships to terrorist acts and natural disasters. Trauma often results in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Healing from trauma is an ongoing journey. Finding support through therapy, group sessions or even just friends and family members is essential to your recovery journey.

Heilung’s show uses traditional instruments and handmade costumes to produce music that feels both historically accurate and modern. Their goal is to reclaim Viking culture from neo-Nazis by giving the runes new significance, starting each concert off with a poem that emphasizes humanity as an essential reminder during such difficult and stressful times.

Getting Started

Kai Uwe Faust met Maria Franz through Viking reenactment societies, and together they formed Heilung as an experimental folk band to “amplify history” through music and live shows designed to evoke pagan rituals with incense burning, Mongolian throat singing and elaborate costumes.

Although their sound is based in traditional archaic instruments and techniques such as goatskin drums, human bones, and throat singing, the trio adds subtle electronic elements into the mix. Producer Christopher Juul also incorporates droning guitar and violin for an immersive listening experience.

Authenticity is of utmost importance to this group, while they’re careful not to go beyond it into kitsch. They are aware that their rune symbols have been co-opted by extreme right and neo-Nazi groups and wish to distance themselves from white supremacism. Furthermore, they’re aware of the environmental impacts their tour buses and shows have, planting one tree for every performance they perform.

Setting Goals

Heilung made their debut performance at Castlefest 2017 — both an album and film — as an album-in-performance, and witnessed their following grow exponentially. They had already established a massive buzz through self-releasing full-length “Ofnir,” but this ceremony marked an inflection point.

Since then, their success has been nothing short of staggering. Since releasing their initial album ‘Futha,’ their live shows have been watched by millions on YouTube and they even released another record called ‘Futha.

At a Heilung concert, the atmosphere resembles that of a tribal ritual. Members wear Viking-inspired costumes and play instruments made from bones and animal skins to recreate sounds commonplace during the Iron Age. Their audience witnesses not just an entertaining performance; rather they bear witness to something close to public therapy sessions. Vocal coach Elizabeth Zharoff describes these concerts as providing “complete healing experiences.”

Staying Motivated

Heilung was no quick journey – taking several hours physically, but time-wise transporting me back to the Iron Age through this mesmerizing group for their first New York City performance.

Vocalist Maria Franz, guitarist Kai Uwe Faust, and drummer Christopher Juul met through Viking reenactment groups and have since collaborated to “amplify history”. With their 2015 debut album Ofnir containing ancient texts and artefacts as their basis, this band took their first steps toward their goal.

Futha, their 2019 follow-up album, deviates from Ofnir’s masculine and battle-heavy themes by celebrating fertility and female energy. Live shows feature elaborate costumed theatricality and tribal-sized lineups; music could easily be mistaken for metal or goth but is actually connected more directly to history and nature.