Like a classic composition, over the last decade, Sowulo has been steadily building. Multi-instrumentalist and composer Faber Horbach has been tracing our cyclical nature with dark folk that's inspired by Anglo-Saxon traditions and Viking mysticism and philosophy. Now that the project has grown into a transformative live act, Sowulo has signed with French label Season of Mist ahead of a headlining tour of Europe.
As Faber and company head toward these new horizons, today, Sowulo are revisiting two classics. These new versions of "Yule" and "Ginnungagap" stay true to their foundation, but they also reflect the project's evolution, shaped by both its current live lineup and ongoing exploration of spirituality. As new songs begin to take shape, revisiting these classics offers a timely reflection on their origins and a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Listen to "Yule (Revisited)" and "Ginnungagap (Revisited)" below:
Stream
https://orcd.co/sowuloyule
Yule (Revisited)
Originally written in 2012, "Yule" was the first composition created for Sowulo. The song captures the spirit of Midwinter, where darkness gives way to light and endings carry the seeds of new beginnings. On stage, it serves as a ritualistic moment of stillness and reflection.
"This was the very first song I ever wrote for Sowulo, composed sometime in 2012 on the piano for the 'Alvenrad’ album." Faber explains. "The song was born from my own yearning to create music for celebrating the turning of the seasons, to accompany the pagan feasts that honor the eternal cycle of nature."
Ginnungagap (Revisited)
Inspired by Norse cosmology, "Ginnungagap" evokes the void from which existence emerged. First composed for SOL in 2016, this revisited version enhances the original’s focus on balance—between chaos and form, emptiness and life. It remains a central expression of Sowulo's mythic and spiritual foundation.
"Originally composed around 2014 on piano, I then reworked the parts to suit the Celtic harp and Irish bouzouki." Faber says. "From there, we added viola, Irish whistle, vocals, and percussion. The song expresses the concept of the universe’s origin, as told in ancient Scandinavian mythology."
Photo by © Sigrid Koster
SOWULO is the work of multi-instrumentalist and composer Faber Horbach, and is inspired by Anglo-Saxon and Viking-age mysticism and philosophy. Captivated by the cyclical nature of existence and an animistic worldview, Faber is determined to express his spiritual path through his music.
With lyrics in Anglo-Saxon and historical instruments, Sowulo creates an immersive sonic universe that challenges both the creator and listener to go on an inner journey and to invoke cyclical wisdom from deep within.
Sowulo means ‘Sun' in proto-germanic. The music follows our connection with the Sun and tells the story of our inner and outer cycles of day and night, the four seasons, birth and death.
᛫ ᛇ ᚩ ᚹ ᚢ ᛚ ᚩ ᛫
Follow SOWULO:
Official website:https://www.sowulo.nl/home
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sowulo.music
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Sowulo
Bandcamp:https://sowulo.bandcamp.com/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/sowuloofficial
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4BkdqpIEhl0tKZ5xpAo5pR
Songkick:https://www.songkick.com/artists/9118989-sowulo/calendar
DoomStar roster:https://doomstarbookings.com/artists/sowulo/