Hrim by Across Ages

Step into a soundscape where the echoes of ancient Viking age instruments meet the rich textures of modern Scandinavian fiddling. Hrim, the debut album from Across Ages—a collaboration between fiddler Desiah Melby and instrument maker/musician Eric Bestul—blurs the boundaries of time, offering a deeply immersive musical experience that feels both ancient and timeless.

The album’s title, “Hrim,” is Old Norse for hoarfrost, symbolizing its layered compositions that build slowly, like frost on a winter morning, into something hauntingly beautiful. Featuring handcrafted ancient instruments like the tagelharpa, kantele, and erhu, alongside Melby’s evocative fiddle harmonies, the album explores the imagined sounds of medieval modes while weaving in the eerie drones and dissonance of Nordic folk traditions.

Recorded with a live-performance ethos, many tracks were captured in continuous takes, creating organic textures, counterpoints, and harmonies that invite listeners to lose themselves in the music. From the lamenting tones of the title track “Hrim” to the cinematic depth of every layered piece, this album transports you to a musical encounter that bridges a 1,500-year gap in time. Hrim is more than an album; it’s a journey through history and imagination, where the past and present sing in harmony.

A huge Thank You to Olav Mjelva and Lassi Logrén for allowing us to use their songs on this record.