Gjallarhorn

Finland's premier folk group sounds about how you'd expect music from the roof of the world to sound: droning, dark and lit by occasional flashes from singer Jenny Wilhelm's otherworldly voice. But for all that, don't imagine this is just difficult music to be suffered through for the sake of broadening your horizons. Infused with a somber beauty, Gjallarhorn's music transports the listener, conjuring up long dark nights spent by fireside the way Huun Huur Tu's singing can land you by an imaginary mountain stream in distant Tuva. Their 1998 release Ranarop: Call of the Sea Witch established them as one of the best and most experimental folk revivalist group out there; subsequent releases have seen the group play Swedish and Norwegian songs as well, punctuating their moaning violins with global influences including West African drumming and didgeridoo.