Nordic Giants say they’re closing the book on their early work with a new anthology with a difference. Origins takes a deep-dive into the duo’s past with a reworked selection of their singles and EPs that escalates their otherworldly soundscapes to another level. But does this mean the duo are hanging up their masks for good? Absolutely not! In a rare interview, Rôka and Löki share their own origins and reveal their exciting plans for the next chapter.

Words: Rob Hughes

Rôka and Löki: a mystery beneath feathers and fur.

Images: Press/Nordic Giants

There’s a lot to unpack with Nordic Giants. Foremost is the music: ululating soundscapes of extraordinary power and dynamic range, instrumentals with a richly cinematic hue. Then there’s the immersive aspect of their live performances, wherein flashing strobes, carpets of fog and offbeat film projections help create a shifting dramatic theatre of the senses.

At the centre of all this are the Giants. The mysterious Rôka and Löki hide their identities behind feathered masks, capes and animal-skin costumes. One presides over a keyboard, occasionally getting brassy with a trumpet. The other pounds away on drums, or straps on a guitar, sometimes playing it with a violin bow. They never speak onstage. You might think you’ve stepped into some druidic ceremonial ritual, a warrior symphony relayed by mythical creatures from Norse folklore. Some have even likened it to a religious experience.