Herknungr is a project that explores ancient culture but primarily norse/germanic aspects. It was formed over a love of ambient music, ritual and folk music. The aim of Herknungr is to provide a very rich sound in coherence to viking era culture. To set an authentic sound of the old nordic times. Using instruments of our forebears over 1000 years ago. With a modern twist in production.
By: 68Livingdoll
We are happy that you found the time for this written interview, and we are looking forward to reading more about your music and the journey you are on with that.
Would you like to tell us about yourself?
I’m Alex, 34, born and always lived in South East, Kent, UK
Tell us about Herknungr music?
It’s for everyone to make their own mind up and keep theming loose but sure it falls under dark/ambient folk focusing round the Viking age and Norse culture. I think people have described it as journey music, which sits right for sure.
What does “Herknungr” mean, and do it have a special meaning for you?
I’ve always been wary of the name, it’s quite memorable, I think. I saw in one place it meant ‘warrior-king’ but was one place that describes it as such and think it’s little verified.
You have Slavic music project called “Volhv” could you tell us a little about that?
It’s not as popular as Herknungr but I think people like it at least. It doesn’t target any Slavic country on traditions or culture but just Rodnovery and Pre-Christian Slavic values.
Have you always played this kind of music?
I’d say since 2015-2016 is when I started listening to dark/ritual folk and then followed on.
Do you make or play other kind of music?
I’ve dabbled in other forms of medieval music, electronic stuff but I’ve found that hard to get off the ground. It’s finding uses and places for things that are suited best for my other music sure.
Have you done any collabs and would you like to share with whom?
I haven’t done many, I have done one with Fuimadane a few years back now, incredible artist and very creative individual. Fortunately, we have very great bands now, love to share with established or rising stars on the platforms.
Would you like to do more collabs?
Love to do more, it’s just making time for them, as with anything.
You are also behind Herknungr 24/7 live on YT – like to share a little about that idea and how long it has been running?
That’s been running since 2019, I think. For it to still be around by 2025 is amazing and still get the listeners it gets. The mods do very well looking after it, such as yourself when I’m not there. The idea was to have a place where people can chat about all things Viking, heathen, pagan and alternative ways to living but also support smaller artists who want to get a bit more attention for their efforts. I think this music is not easy to write and it’s been a challenge for me I think getting it’s ambient side of things to make it an interesting listen.
Do you have a favorite track yourself or maybe a band?
Favourite tracks of bands for sure. I love all the bands on the 24/7 radio and their tracks. Outside that I’ll throw out a few that I regularly listen to in 2025, it’s a lot I listen to: The Midnight, Maksim Dark, Byron Metcalf, Viagra Boys, Igorrr, The Chats, Nine Inch Nails, a Nirvana binge whenever. So, anything weird or different sounding has an interest to me.
Do you believe in the old ways yourself?
I’m not a strict follower of Asatru or Vanatru but have great respect for them and it’s followers. Ancestrally I think we all followed our own pagan gods. I do have a more animistic approach to life, events can feel very spirited to me.
I meditate a lot to music, very healing even if it’s not intended for binaural purposes. Inner journeying and soul purposing, these states are amazing to be in but it’s turning it into the practicalities, it helps with very chaotic and negative world the media likes to project onto us. Maybe I’m just a hippy that wants everyone to get a long, I’m prepared for sounding naïve in that.
Where do you find your inspiration for your music?
Mainly Spotify and YouTube. It’s quite easy to find the right things through the algorithms. Ambient music, sounds, metal, punk, industrial music and Nordic folk artists.
Do you have any music education, or have you learned yourself?
Yeah pretty much all learnt myself, has it’s positives and negatives.
How many instruments can you play on?
A bit of keyboard and tagelharpa. Percussion, if I control my breathing. I’m more of a composer than a musician, one day I might become more of a musician.
Can it be hard to find time for the music when work an life in general comes in?
Yeah sure, it’s getting harder for some reason. It’s true that when you get older time goes faster. Not that I’m old though haha.
Do you have any other interest like sport, crafting or carving – maybe gaming?
I used to digital paint a bit but stopped, might return to it in future who knows. I love gaming on my computer; it’s a shame that’s an expensive hobby now and wish I had the time for it more nowadays.
What track or album means the most to you and why?
I think the 1st album Norþæn and Gudō will have always a special place. A little rough but ready album. It started the journey and consolidated the sound I was trying to achieve.
You have just released Worship & Sacrifice, Fjǫrðr and Ancestral would you like to share a little about those albums?
Ancestral is a rerelease from a side project I decided just to disband as thought it sounded more like a Herknungr album anyway, set in palaeolithic times inspired and more use of ambience with tribal percussion to give it a raw feel.
Fjǫrðr and Worship & Sacrifice is a loose story about a Viking man on a longboat getting trapped on the Shetland islands due to bad weather. Others were on the longboat but perished due to the weather and malnutrition. They’re about surviving, making use of the resources, a lot of praying, patience and rationing food where he can get it. Both albums are instrumentally focused.
Do you have other plans with music in 2025?
Maybe try to get more releases out but think on them more. I think I can truly benefit with working with others, I just don’t get the time and need to make time for it. Everyone has the juggling act of balance. I want to create more samples for people to use, I started to upload them on Pond5 last two years, but people can have them for free if they message/email me.
Do you have anything you want to share with us about your music in general?
Just to share many thanks for listening to me and giving me any attention. I enjoy writing these songs and just bring a piece of me to the table when it comes to historical explorations into our past/past ways. I try to be genuine and honest, I think it’s all one can do. Thanks for the interview, great questions!
Do you have a plan for the future for “Herknungr” like a 5-year plan?
Probably to just explore sagas and honour historical figures best I can and explore more history round the Viking age. I try to do it as I go along, I’m not too highly ambitious with this project. I think others do this very well in live performances and have great respect for the Scandinavian culture.
Thanks for the interview, great questions!
You are most welcome
We would like to thank you for answering our questions about your music, and glad we could do this written interview, it was interesting to get to know you better….
Links:
Youtube
