Heilung is an international band formed in 2014. The band consists of a German, Kai Uwe Faust; a Dane, Christopher Juul; and a Norwegian woman, Maria Franz. Heilung utilizes old texts, runes, and inscriptions of the unique peoples of Germania from the Bronze, Iron, and Viking ages and transforms them into songs or chants. Their style of music is experimental folk, pulling the stories of old into an otherworldly visual of thrilling history. 

Heilung is especially unique as they use all traditional instruments, many handmade, from many places around the world. Some such instruments are a horse skin drum, a Hindu ritual bell, a buffalo horn rattle, bones, and more. They do both music videos and live performances where the members sport handmade traditional clothing from the Germanic peoples during the Bronze and Iron ages. For instance, Maria Franz, the lead female singer, flourishes a handmade white dress with a headdress equipped with antlers and a fringe covering her eyes. Heilung is not only a presentation for listeners’ ears, but also a breathtaking visual production.

Heilung also sings in multiple languages, primarily old languages such as Old Norse, Old English, Old Saxon. They sing in English, German, Icelandic, and many other languages as well. The usage of these languages creates a trance-like sound that draws listeners in and makes them feel as if they are one with nature, away from all modern struggles. 

While some may not particularly enjoy the calmer side of folk music, gently telling tales of old, Heilung is simply not just that. Their singing in most of their acts is heavily traditional, meaning it is not only melodic singing. Some of their songs are powerful war chants. Others contain more tribal-sounding yells, non-steady vocalizing, and ululations to them. For an added bonus, Kai Uwe Faust uses a Tibetan or Mongolian throat-singing style, which in some performances sounds akin to that of some genres of metal. Heilung has musical aspects for anyone, all they need to do is discover the best song or songs for them.

Elizabeth Zharoff, otherwise known as “The Charismatic Voice” on YouTube, is a vocal coach who has reviewed and reacted to multiple bands, groups, and artists, one of which being Heilung, including their songs “Krigsgaldr”, “Norupo”, “In Maidjan.” She has praised them not only for their magical performances in their live recordings and music videos, but she has expressed her appreciation and amazement for their signing techniques. She enjoys that their combination of sounds truly do make their music seem as if it is from the times it is based after.

The sheer power and beauty Heilung projects with their variety of instruments and singing styles is that of none other. Their music is not merely music, but more of a spiritual experience, connecting people of all backgrounds as one; it heals – it makes listeners feel at peace and in unity with the world.