01	The Crossing						02:34
	02	Hel: Goddess Of The Underworld						03:53
	03	Frigga's Web						04:38
	04	Labyrinth						04:01
	05	Little Light						03:05
	06	Raven Night						03:32
	07	Albion Autumn						02:09
	08	Where The Lonely Souls Go						05:23
	09	The Home That I Will Never See						04:21
	10	The Soul Of A Hound						04:16

FRIGGA'S WEB



My journey continues: fleeting through time, where past and present, dreams and reality meet. Frigga's Web, the third full-length Hagalaz' Runedance album, is particularly focusing on the web of Life, the mysteries of Birth, Death, the afterlife, the goddesses Hel and Frigga and their relation (besides quite a few personal happenings in the last couple of years), the experience of Death, departure and new beginnings have certainly wrought the nature of this album.

For those who still need a foreword on Hagalaz' Runedance, within it I explore the spirituality of olden Northern Europe, searching for the forgotten wisdom and values of my Pagan ancestors who understood the mysteries of Mother Nature. My songs express my thoughts, longings, dreams, visions and magical experiences. Hagalaz' Runedance is predominantly focused on the feminine mysteries of the North and the strong position women held in Pagan cultures - I myself work with the magic of my foremothers. My book, "The Ancient Fires of Midgard", discusses topics such as Northern mythology and the Pagan way of life, Nature's mysteries, ancient traditions, Seidr - the magic of the wise women, natural childbirth and the reunion with the animal spirit.

THE SONGS

The Crossing - The voyage... in both Germanic and Celtic legends, the sea is believed to carry the dead across to their next world.
Hel - Goddess of the Underworld - seek the goddess of Death: and understand Life.
Frigga's Web - tells the story of a young woman in hopelessness who seeks the goddess Frigga. Patroness of women and children, Frigga was called upon for an undemanding birth and also for a simple death.
Little Light - it's a moving song about unloved and abused children. It is everyone's business to watch out and protect children from vile bastards that cause harm to them. Making innocent little souls suffer is the worst of all things in Life and the thought of this happening brings tears to my eyes each time:
The Soul of a Hound - this song is a farewell to my beautiful dog Arcane, my companion for 12 years who died this Samhain.
Raven Night - not really about ravens... figure it out for you...
Albion Autumn - a lament to England (so often do I miss standing by the cliffs):
The Home that I will Never See" - the re-arranged version of this song is one bewail to the ancient village.
Labyrinth - most people go through Life incapable to notice the hidden doors right in front of them.
Where the Lonely Souls go - even more questions about our fate and our final journey.

THE MUSICIANS

The talented Kristian Nordeide, the multi-instrumentalist of Corona Borealis, plays all the Bagpipes, Harp, Lute, Lyre, Naglharpa, Bombarde, Colascione, Vihuela, Recorders and Whistles. Without him and his great input, the album wouldn't have been alike. Another Folk musician who joined this recording is Goran Hallmarker, who plays the Hurdy Gurdy and the Arabian drum. Both are pagans and I think we worked really well together letting our magical energy flow into the music. Cecilie Eidskrem from the band Paradigma was working with me on the programming and played the synthesizer. Her brother, Kristian Eidskrem, played additional drums. The engineer was as usual Thorbjorn Akkerhaugen. Thorbjorn and I have been working together since 96. His studio has gradually evolved since then - from a garage to a high-class studio with all comforts, making it even harder to resist the temptation of just sitting in the huge leather sofas, eating good food and watching TV with all channels available and super stereo. Yet, despite watching a good deal of Animal Planet and Mad TV and our traditional long philosophical discussions, we were working very efficiently and better than ever before.

My greetings and appreciation to: Thorbjorn and the musicians - Kristian Nordeide, Goran Hallmarken, Celilie Eidskrem and Kristian Eidskrem. Guido and guys - Hammerheart, Wolf Muehlmann - Wolffackel Verlag, the Sure Shot crew, Cecilie Eidskrem, Einar Sjursjo, Harald Ulvestad and the remarkable Nokkelharp Spelemann, Anders Peev (for joining the last tour), Subway to Sally and crew (for a great tour experience), Axel, Arne and the rest of Hekate, my special friend Tomas (for his usual assistance), Minouck and Mark from Division 731 Studio (for doing the cover in such a short notice), Ulv (for a very atmospheric photo session experience), bro Grimster, Baron Webb (for doing the website) and Alva, of course, my lovely little elf, Mortiis (for watching my dog and for being Mortiis), my brothers Dennis and Phillip, Nina and Jens. Hill to the Bifrost clan and other Asatru groups and Pagan people I am involved with, the warriors of Draupnir i Viken and Kongshirden and other friends, associates, bands that I am in contact with and not to forget all those spirited individuals who have supported Hagalaz' Runedance - May Nature's Call Ever Roar:

In memory of Anders Hovde, the young Folk musician who played on Volven and who so sudden lost his life to cancer in the summer of 2000. And last but not least, in memory of Arcane, my canine companion - you're always in my heart:

A FEW REVIEWS ON HAGALAZ' RUNEDANCE

Hammerheart Records have signed some of the best Metal bands in the world such as Alas, Ancient Rites and Necrophobic but they have also discovered the unique talents of Andrea 'Nebel' Haugen who is the sole woman behind Hagalaz' Runedance. She has been working on this project since 1996 with the sole purpose to musically express her tribute to the Pagan spirituality. The music could best be described as ambient neo-folk with ritual drums, lyres, harps, bagpipes and every other instrument you could ever wish for. On top of this another dimension is added through the wonderful and characteristic deep vocals from Andrea herself. She is not entirely on her own though since Kristian Kristian Nordeide (Corona Borealis), Goran Hallmarken, Zilla Eidskrem (Paradigma, Ashes to Ashes) and Kristian Eidskrem (Paradigma) have all helped to make this recording possible. The album starts out with a soothing sample borrowed from Mother Nature herself with the waves of the ocean contributing to the music of this album in their very own way. We are then taken to the underworld to visit Hel in a song that I see as a build up for the definite highlight of this album the enchanting title track. Altogether this is an amazing album and there is no other band in the world who make pagan ambient music with the level of professionalism that Hagalaz' Runedance possesses today. "Frigga's Web" is without a single trace of doubt one of the musical highlights of 2002. Stand-out tracks: "Frigga's Web", "Where The Lonely Souls Go".
- Vincent Eldefors -
Tartarean Desire
9.5/10


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andrea "Nebel" Haugen, the lady behind Hagalaz' Runedance, has presented us hereby with enigmatic, spell-casting and original music recreating ancient Northern folk and shamanic tunes - it's simply worth having! Compared to her previous works, the only big change is a drastic improvement in her singing - not that the vocals on the first albums were poor, but here the deep enchanting voice sounds much more polished and impressive. The arrangements are another good point, as they are more refined and powerful than before. The mystical quality of the music has also risen and the atmosphere has darkened, in a way, which is all together getting near to the point where any improvement would be unthinkable!
For the concept I can only redirect you to Andrea's own book, "The Ancient Fires of Midgard" (out on Wolffackel Verlag/Second Sight Books for Germany), giving profound explanations of her views and ideas, connected mainly with paganism, Northern mythology, Asatru...
As always since 1996, the production and engineering are Thorbjorn Akkerhaugen's work and a great work one must say.
One little surprise is "Labyrinth", a song in German, and one track on "Frigga's Web" that might sound already familiar is "The Home I Will Never See" - this really is a remake of the same song from Hagalaz' Runedance's debut, "The Winds that Sang of Midgard's Fate" (1998). Comparing these two versions one can very easily see how much Andrea's music has developed over the years. The only thing left to say now is: go get "Frigga's Web" - it's pure magic!
- Walls of Fire -


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The runedance goes on:the perfect music for this offers Andrea Nebel Haugen, who already with her debut album "The Winds That Sang Of Midgard's Fate" made a name for herself in the Pagan scene, and not only there. Rarely does one find today (where everybody, no matter how untalented, can release a CD) music with such depths and quality... Shamanistic and tribal drums, accompanied by harmonic sounding , magical singing and a variety of acoustic instruments, in the end, one cannot compare the music of Hagalaz' Runedance with another popular band. Andrea's music is not only beautiful and deep, the music is clad in very thought through lyrics and takes one away into ritualistic and magical worlds, where those who are conscious of their roots will feel at home. Not only musically and magically is the music unique, but Andrea is still one of the few women who not only knows the Northern mythology and practises its religion, but also represents it in public. Maybe "Volven" will achieve that more people will get into the wisdom of the old times, because here are ten pieces of music that enchant, inspire and delight.
- Frauke Stoeber -
Sonic Seducer
07/00


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
... "Volven" is brilliant and incredible beautiful: This must be one of the best releases this year:
- 5 out of 6 points -
Scream Magazine
Norway


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
... Rarely does one find music with such quality these days...
- Sonic Seducer -
("Volven" came second place in the Sonic Seducer soundcheck)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
... In our modern society, which is superficial, straight and without imagination, the thinking ones amongst us, able to slip away, are caught by Hagalaz' Runedance, and gently taken into a time where the individual, the community and nature were a unity:Urging us to remember...
- Orkus Magazine -
("Volven" ? Album Of The Month in Orkus Magazine, Germany)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rooted in the Northern/Germanic Pagan tradition, Hagalaz' Runedance is the new musical project of Andrea Haugen, who previously constituted one half of the duo Aghast. With Hagalaz' Runedance, Andrea creates exceedingly beautiful music inspired by traditional folk songs and shamanic chants that revolve around the destruction of nature and ancient human values by Christianity and Western civilization in general. The instrumentation predominantly consists of various kinds of acoustic percussions and string instruments, underscored on many of the songs by synth atmospheres and intense human chanting, with the natural focal point of the compositions being Andrea's voice, reaching across time, and into the past, like the hand of a mythical presence.
"The Winds That Sang Of Midgard's Fate" is the first full-length release from Hagalaz' Runedance, and it is a very accomplished album with great musical and thematic unity. "When The Trees Were Silenced" appropriately opens the CD with thunderous drums and the chanting of deep male voices - a vivid depiction in sound of the Ragnarok. Performed in a hard and indignant tone of voice, Andrea's lyrics are simultaneously an elegiac account of the dying of all that she holds dear in the world, and a cry to resurrect the old beliefs and values, and return to a state of greater harmony with nature.
The next two songs - "Behold The Passionate Ways Of Nature" and "The Home That I Will Never See" - are less apocalyptic, and feature more overtly traditional arrangements of string instruments and woodwinds. Both songs further expand on the themes of "When The Trees Were Silenced," with "Behold The Passionate Ways Of Nature" paying homage to Mother Nature; and, "The Home That I Will Never See" being a lament for the ancient past, and a statement on Andrea's part that she was born a thousand years to late.
"The Oath He Swore One Wintersday," "Das Fest Der Wintersonne" and "A Tale Of Fate" all take their departure in ancient folklore and historical events. As the title implies, "A Tale Of Fate" is a tragic "love song" propelled by the narrative of a young woman's fidelity towards her mate. The song is not only another appraisal of the ancient Nordic culture, it also establishes Andrea's belief in the immortality of love, and faith in the afterlife. "The Oath He Swore One Wintersday" is in somewhat similar vein, although it is less a narrative than a battle cry against the Christian culture, which both historically and metaphorically did much to destroy the Pagan way of life.
"Seidr" was a Northern magic practiced mainly by women, and involved entering a trance; the song here named after this ancient practice is one of the most powerful on the album. Against a backdrop of ritual percussions, birds' cries and the sound of wind, Andrea leads a choir of chanting voices. The overall effect is mesmerizing, and could easily be imagined as trance inducing had it continued for another half an hour. Elements of seidr return on "When The Falcon Flies," which concerns the actual experience of entering such a trance, and traveling with a totem animal (in this case the falcon) across time and space.
"Serenade Of The Last Wolf" is a ballad in the honor of the wolf, which in this context could be seen as a symbol of nature as a whole. Andrea's melancholy vocals are accompanied merely by a string instrument, subtle atmospheres and a male voice supporting her in the chorus segments. The last piece is likewise a lament, in this case for the passing of life on earth in general it seems. "Mother Of Times," with its expansive layers of slow chanting and synth thematics, is a very strong and beautiful end to the album, and one that is strangely cathartic. It is almost as if with the final song, Hagalaz' Runedance has not only presented a vision of the dying world, but also the wisdom to remedy the ills, and thus The Winds That Sang Of Midgard's Fate can end with a sense of resolution and peace.
"The Winds That Sang Of Midgard's Fate has" been released by Misanthropy Records' side label (Elfenblut), which also released the initial Hagalaz' Runedance 7" When The Trees Were Silenced, back in November 1996.
- Last Sigh Webzine -


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The epical musical tales of Andrea M. Haugen are dealing with the values and traditions of heathen, especially the old northern culture, resolutely fighting the battle against the destructive Christians that pushed aside the pagans and their natural way of life. Considering this, the melodic music, played with accustic instruments like recorder, guitar, bag-pipe, fiddle and shaman drums, cannot really be described as medieval, since the middle-age was strongly dominated by the merciless Church. This kind of music is these days often named Neo-folk, where Andrea makes it clear that her expressions on this solo project are not just to be seen as a lamenting view into the past, but also a hopeful perspective for the future. Her voice, which is sometimes supported by male and female backing-voices, has a charismatic, natural beauty that gives the lyrics and music a graceful atmosphere which at least in my mind let's the ancient times return. The "Heavenly Voices" and Dark Wave fan will enjoy the CD just as much as the pagan Neo-folk/ritual diciple fan and thus one can only hope that this exellent piece of work will rise from the underground, even if it is sensuality and atmosphere instead of clubhits.
- Orkus Magazine, Germany -

Also check out the Hagalaz' Runedance interviews in the biggest German alternative magazines like Orkus, Sonic Seducer, Zillo, Metal Hammer, Deftone, plus others and several radio shows.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(...) passionate nature centred music... Simply enchanting and beautiful... If you like the more Folk centred music of Dead Can Dance you should definitely seek out this release.
- Outburn, USA -


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes life can be too cruel. Like when liking happens and you have the carpet pulled from under you. Making you fall on your face. This happened to me when I met Hagalaz' Runedance. When I reached the boiling point it ended. I was left with the shame of flushing on my face after I had totally opened my heart. That I would fall for Hagalaz' Runedance I never dreamt of. Folk music isn't my foremost love when it comes to music, but the kind of music Hagalaz' Runedance performs is of so catchy character that it is hard to resist it. It is so organic, and so full of soul that is like being transported back to the Viking age. This reminds me of nothing I have heard before. The music is so spartanlike arranged, but oh so lovely.
- Single Of The Week, Popoga, Sweden -


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(...) Hagalaz' Runedance is proof that the Pagan times and ways of life are not forgotten. (...)
- Heresy -




HAGALAZ RUNEDANCE

Frigga's Web
Hammerheart Records
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the fabulous 'The Winds That Sang Of Midgard's Fate', 'Urd - That Which Was' and 'Volven', Andrea Nebel Haugen is coming back to tell us new tales with 'Frigga's Web'. 100% in the same vein as her former album, 'Frigga's Web' is a real journey through time, and those folk or medieval melodies will only but transport you to an universe where our strong and hairy ancestors were drinking hydromel and prayed the elder gods, while waiting their time to travel until Valhalla. Together with numerous musicians, Andrea also shows us the world in which she'd like to live, a human world based on healthy and ancestral values: which means completely different from our XXIst century. And the topics are also more personal, such as her perceptions of life and death, the whole thing bathing in heathen lyricism. So you only have to close your eyes, and then you'll feel surrounded by waves, with drakkars far on the sea, small wooden houses covered with snow, fires, children hunting in the forests, and vikings enjoying their victories.
http://go.to/hagalaz-runedance

Thomas Bonnicel 8/10