Heilung in Sydney

Heilung is a German-Danish-Norwegian experimental folk collective formed in Copenhagen in 2014 by Kai Uwe Faust, Christopher Juul and Maria Franz. The group draws on texts and inscriptions associated with Iron Age and early medieval Europe, using chant, percussion and reconstructed instruments. Its best-known recordings include the albums Ofnir, Futha and Drif, and the songs “Krigsgaldr,” “Norupo” and “Anoana.” Heilung gave its first public concert at Castlefest in the Netherlands in 2017; the filmed performance was released as Lifa. In 2021 the group performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, and that concert was later issued as Lifa Iotungard. The group calls its concerts rituals. Performers open with a ceremonial blessing, then the core trio is joined by percussionists, singers and a warrior troupe for pieces built around frame drums, throat singing, chant and choreographed combat. Its European festival appearances included Roskilde Festival in Denmark and Wacken Open Air in Germany.