Album Review: Eihwar – Hugrheim (Season of Mist)

‘Hugrheim’ is the the upcoming full-length from the pagan folk and electro-ritual duo, Eihwar. Conceived as a journey through the 10th hidden world of Yggdrasil in Eihwar’s fantasy mythology. It will be released on March 13th, 2026, via Season of Mist.

Few bands have the power to immerse in the way that Eihwar do and on this new album, they really push that immersion to new heights. Not only by crafting their own story and sound, but by drawing from a deep and detailed world that is as wonderous as it is terrifying. The result is something truly exceptional, even if the modern blend of electro, pop, and pagan folk comes with a certain amount of polarising aspects.

They truly are a daring band, and their ability to draw the listener in with a mesmerising display of modern, danceable, Nord-infused melodies is on impactful display from the start with Nauðiz, Freyja’s Calling, and Ein. A trio of tracks showcasing the genre-defying ways of the duo and how mysterious and delightfully infectious the music of Eihwar often is. Crafting a rich picture that blends dark dreaminess with ritualistic and expressive folk rhythms, shamanic pop-infused vocals, and anomalous intensity that has epic capabilities. Each track perfectly defines the uniqueness of Eihwar while also showing just how easily they defy all genre definitions while being undeniably addictive.

It’s music with a fantastical edge, but with the capabilities of filling up a dance floor too. An aspect that makes this album so listenable. That, and the immense story telling aspects that draw deeply from cosmology. As I said at the start of this review, few bands have the power to immerse in the way that Eihwar do.

Immersion that grows and grows thanks to tracks like Skuggaríki, where horror infused atmosphere turns Eihwar’s music in a darker, haunting, and disconcerting direction. Thanks to tracks like the title track, filled with thumping folky power, and thanks to tracks like Ljósgarðr, a stunning ritualistic dance of melody and soaring vocals. The latter, beginning with the sound of a crackling campfire, slowly transports the listener to a faraway place as it goes on.

It’s breathtaking stuff, but you’ll struggle to find music that doesn’t have that effect here, especially as it is such an eclectic and expressive album. Heill Óðinn, for example, will be a fan favourite for many years to come. An infectious and hypnotic effort with layers that slowly, but effectively, unpeel as the track goes on. The latter part has some of the most haunting vocals heard from Eihwar so far.

Then there is The Lake of the Dead, the album’s most atmospheric track of all, in my opinion. This one puts you on a boat in a deep fog, bodies floating in the still water, the smell of death in the air, and the sound of Eihwar ringing out from all around. It’s quite something.

I get that a lot of this really won’t appeal and regardless of Eihwar’s twist on the folk formula, it is still an acquired taste. However, it is notable that they do deliver some of the most accessible aspects of any bands in this world and that extends right to the end with Omenotharena (Warrior’s Training) and Berserkr (Tim’s Memorial Version). A journey like no other and a guarantee that Eihwar will only get bigger off of it.

Eihwar – Hugrheim Track Listing:

1. Nauðiz
2. Freyja’s Calling
3. Ein
4. Skuggaríki
5. Hugrheim
6. Ljósgarðr
7. Heill Óðinn
8. The Lake of the Dead
9. Omenotharena (Warrior’s Training)
10. Berserkr (Tim’s Memorial Version)

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