Artist description Viking (Francesca Ortolani) is the most innovative artist on both the white power and heathen music scenes. Her sound is unique and she's revolutionary. Her name Viking has often been criticized, but it simply means that you can't call yourself Italian nationalist if you say "Italy is Rome and nothing else"... Italy has been a land of immigration. She's also founder of her own label Ash Tree Records. Her songs are anyway never offensive.

Music Style Folk, Gothic, Pop, Experimental

Musical Influences Jethro Tull, Roxette, Mike Oldfield

Similar Artists Death in June

Artist History You must be asking yourself about Viking. She doesn't seem to be, but she's Italian. How comes that an Italian girl calls herself Viking? So, tell me who said who the Italian people are! Italy is not made of vikings but also of vikings. Viking has origins from Abruzzo so she has in particular a viking cultural background, too (Pescara has been the most important viking harbour). Viking's deed is symbolic, it's a provocation. Viking never denied to be Italian, but she wants to say that Italy is not a united folk. Viking is rather a True Italian and she hopes to represent an aspect of Italy with this unusual choice. By now we live in a miscellaneous world and nobody knows where he/she comes from and what he/she wants to become. Viking was born on 25/06/1982 in Rome. Her very first performance dates back at the age of 4 at primary school. When she's 6 she begins to sing, to play the flute (a study that she tries at the conservatory, she never ends the conservatory because of the school) she begins to play the piano at the age of 8. At the same age she writes her first song, dedicated to her cat Miuky. When she's 11 she forms a duo, Strap, then a band, but these projects won't last. She begins to play guitar at the same age. Viking writes all the music for these little projects. In 1996 she tries her solo adventure. She publishes some demos, in 97/98 she begins to work on Welcome to Scandinavia, her first album, secretly, and she will publish it in 2000 on internet. In 98 she signs a contract with Cymophane Records (USA) but there are some problems and the thing won't go on. Apart from Welcome to Scandinavia Viking works on other single songs published on the net. Two songs of Welcome to Scandinavia are inserted in Blood & Honour 4. In 2002 Askungen is released, Viking founds Ash Tree Records and she begins other 2 projects, The Nest - Burzum Tribute, a peculiar re-edition of Burzum's songs, and Swedish Traditional music, some traditional Swedish ballads arranged by Viking for computer and block flute. October 2002: Viking is on Martyrdom Volume One - Free Ken Mieske, a benefit compilation for Ken Mieske's cause. AT PRESENT: At present Viking works on new projects and she studies Electronic Engineering in Rome. Among the new projects she's working on a third album and an album in ITALIAN (if there is money) with Viking's most beautiful songs sung in Italian, unreleased songs and rarities. SURPRISE!! OCTOBER 2003 A NEW RELEASE!

Group Members Francesca Ortolani

Instruments Everything

Albums Welcome to Scandinavia, Askungen, L'eco della Battaglia

Additional Info Visit Ash Tree Records (www.ashtree.org)

Location Rome, RM - Italy

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