In 1989 Hedningarna recorded their first release Hedningarna as the core trio. After hearing female Finnish voices wafting through the halls of the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Hedningarna invited Sanna Kurki-Suonio and Tellu Paulasto to join the band. With this lineup they recorded Kaksi! in 1992 and Trä in 1994. For 1997's mostly instrumental Hippjokk, they returned to the core trio with some collaborations with Sámi yoiker (or chanter) Wimme Saari.

For 1999's emotionally potent Karelia Visa, the core trio was again joined by two Finnish singers, Sanna Kurki-Suonio and Anita Lehtola of Loituma, singing in the traditional Finnish runo-song style. Anita replaced Tellu Paulasto after she left the band to continue her studies in Finland. In 1999, when Sanna left to pursue her promising solo career, Liisa Matveinen replaced her.

In 1999, Hedningarna added Magnus Stinnerbom on octave violin to their line up.

Press
on Karelia Visa ...

· "…hearty melodies that can seem like Celtic reels one moment, Slavic polyphony the next." - The New York Times

"Hedningarna pays tribute to a forgotten culture, bringing its traditional music alive with energy and excellence." - Rhythm

"Enthralling and compelling from first note to last." - Dirty Linen

· "…an album that ambles with bright melodies and charms with sweet, exotic voices." - amazon.com