Heilung Release Podcast Episode for "Traust"
- Nusa Janssens
- 23 hours ago
- 5 min read
On their new podcast, Heilung invites longtime fans and newcomers into their sacred realm, where history and spirit converge into a healing ritual. Hosted by founding member, singer, and shamanic practitioner Kai Uwe Faust, The Podcast journeys into the lore, traditions, and primal forces that shape the world-renowned Nordic collective and their unmistakable Amplified History. Join founding member Kai Uwe Faust on an immersive journey into Amplified History. Listen to episode three and enter the magical realm behind one of Heilung’s classic songs.
Heilung is releasing a new episode dedicated to "Traust" after uncovering the mythological roots and historical references behind “Alfadhirhaiti” and “Marduk” in the two previous episodes of The Podcast. Now a staple in the collective’s celebrated live ritual, this song first appeared on their second album, Futha, which debuted in 2019 at #3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #4 on the Billboard World Music chart.
“This episode of the podcast offers an intense look at how belief, ritual and sound converge as Amplified History on ‘Traust’”, Faust says. “Through Merseburg charms and early ritual practice, I lead us into a realm of unbinding magic, where we reflect on sacrifice, transformation, and the moments when human fear meets sacred necessity."
The release of this episode coincides with the arrival of the Pink Moon, which brings spring and a time for rebirth. Watch episode three of The Podcast on Heilung’s YouTube channel.
Heilung is known around the world for transcending the boundaries of sound and history. Since forming in 2015, the Nordic collective has made their unmistakable presence felt everywhere from the Billboard charts to Glastonbury, The Game Awards, and major Hollywood films. Their performance rituals draw crowds into an intimate, mystical space that threads together earth, fire, and incense with throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show, and instruments made from human bone.
HEILUNG doesn't just play shows. They perform a ritual. Every performance begins with Kai Uwe Faust leading Christopher Juul, Maria Franz, and the rest of the Nordic collective in an ancient prayer. Soon after, the audience is caught up in the music, swayed by incense and throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show, an army of warriors, and bursts of fire.
Since they began in 2015, Heilung has been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music.
“Our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist, and disappear in isolation,” says Faust, a throat singer and one of Heilung’s three composers. “With singing these primordial songs, we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings, and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other."
While Heilung features authentic and archaic instrumentation that varies from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing, their captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevate the musical atmosphere and provides a more in-depth and layered soundscape.
Heilung’s success has indeed been unmatched, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective had already begun to generate buzz with the self-release of their first full-length album, Ofnir, in 2015, but their upward trajectory truly took off when they performed their now-legendary live ritual at Castlefest in 2017. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe.
As Heilung toured across Europe and brought their mystifying experience to new audiences, talk of this new band and their stunning ceremony made way to Season of Mist label owner Michael Berberian, who quickly offered the band a record contract after seeing their undeniable musical impact for himself. By 2019, Heilung launched their second full-length record, Futha, which contrasted the masculine and battle-heavy themes of their debut with a feminine counterpart that celebrated fertility and female energy. Upon the first week of the record’s release, it graced the Billboard charts with coveted numbers, debuting at #3 on the Heatseekers Charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Chart, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts while meeting critical acclaim from the press on a global scale.
Their music has even appeared in places that extend far beyond typical concert venues. From hit television series like “Game of Thrones” and “Vikings” to video game giants like Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök" and “Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II” to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film “The Northman.” Heilung’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down their success; it only strengthened them and gave them the gift of time to complete work on their third album. In English, "drif" translates as "gathering." The music embodies this philosophy by tying together the beginning of civilization with today’s modern society.
Heilung now performs their rituals all over the world. They sold out their first North American tour in 72 hours. Upon returning to the United States in 2021, they were greeted by another sold-out crowd, this time at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This performance was released as a live album on vinyl and CD in 2024. A Blu-ray edition of Lifa Iotungard will follow, along with the release of their 2023 performance at the Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith, London.
In 2025, Heilung embarked on headlining tours of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Along the way, they cast their spell over more of the world’s biggest stages, including Roskilde Festival, Download Festival, and Glastonbury. But no matter where the future takes them, Heilung always begins their performance with a humbling reminder of where we all come from.
“Remember, we are all brothers. All people, beasts, trees, stones, and wind, we all descend from the one great being that was always there, before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.”
Line-up:
Kai Uwe Faust
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz
Heilung’s full discography, including their latest release Lifa Iotungard, is available now on Season of Mist. Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/lifaiotungard
Tracklist:
1. Opening Ceremony (1:03)
2. In Maidjan (12:30)
3. Alfadhirhaiti (7:23)
4. Krigsgaldr (9:04)
5. Hakkerskaldyr (3:33)
6. Svanrand (3:31)
7. Norupo (5:42)
8. Othan (10:21)
9. Traust (9:41) [WATCH]
10. Elddansurin (7:25)
11. Hamrer Hippyer (13:32)
