Album Review: Gåte – Sigil

Album Review: Gåte – Sigil

Reviewed by Oli Gonzalez

Well, this was unexpected! In the best way possible though. See, upon hearing of the band’s sound as being ‘rooted in the intersection of Nordic folk tradition’, this conjured some anxiety. Surely not another Heilung wannabe or Temu version of Wardruna! Because the market is becoming more and more flooded everyday with bands who attempt to lean into this aesthetic but come up short.

Not Gåte! They’re different. “Sigil” is different.

This is classic contemporary meets tradition and the synergy between the two is remarkable. We see the traditional string instruments such as the mykelharpa and the fiddle to add a bit of Nordic folk spice. Fronted by Gunnhild, she sings in her native tongue and does so with such power and conviction her ancestors would be proud! In songs like ‘Strandvaskar’, we hear the deployment of cavernously deep percussive instruments too to add to this traditional vibe (though check out ‘Nokon’ for a real clinic in Pagan percussion!). Though these elements form a core of their identity, they blend seamlessly with contemporary music and the familiar tried and tested verse-chorus song structures. Staying with ‘Strandvaskar’, the electronic drum beats are hard to ignore. As is the thunderous roar of the distorted electric bass and the tremolo picked riffs on the electric guitar during ‘Oskorsreia’. This number also features one of the more memorable choruses and salient vocal lines on the entire album!

You’d think singing in their native language (Norwegian I’m assuming – feel free to correct me) would prove to be a barrier, instead this provides an infectious range of vocal sounds and inflections seldom heard by English speakers. ‘Bod Fra Djupet’ and ‘Songen’ are 2 more folk spiced numbers with the volume dialed right down and gives Gunnhild all the room her voice needs to truly shine. You’ll find yourself humming along to countless earworms and infuriatingly catchy vocal passages. This gives Gåte something unique for sure.

Whilst listening to this, a thought occurred; wouldn’t this sound amazing at Eurovision? Funnily enough, they have done this, competing in the 2024 edition! Though surely wanting to forget about the last place finish usually reserved for the United Kingdom! Maybe that wasn’t the right stage for them. This autumn, they’ll tour their native Norway on a headline tour where they’ll surely receive a hero’s welcome. “Sigil” is the debut record for their new home Season Of Mist too. With countless other bands with folk elements deep in their DNA – Saor, Nytt Land, and Heilung, to just a few – they seem right at home on this label. Just like anybody who craves something bold and exciting will be right at home with “Sigil” as Gåte breathes invigorating fresh air and impetus into the world that truly needs. Definitely no Heilung or Wardruna rip offs here!

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