Völund Smed

Völund Smed formed in Sweden in 2004 around brothers Stefan and Gunnar Andersson, who were joined by multi-instrumentalist Anders Norudde. Their name comes from the legendary blacksmith of Norse mythology, which gives a sense of the traditional Scandinavian ground they work from. They use instruments like the nyckelharpa, violin, and frame drum.

Their songs often draw from Nordic sagas and the landscape, with titles like "Alvid," "Fosterland," and "Häxjakt" suggesting that territory. The music blends traditional folk melodies with contemporary arrangements, built around vocal harmonies and rhythmic pulses. Some listeners have noted their use of runes and mythology in lyrics, though the band has generally kept to their own artistic path without much public elaboration on those points.