Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (born 23 April 1958 in Reykjavík, Iceland), also known as HÖH, is an Icelandic musician, composer, art director, and the allsherjargoði (chief goði) of the Ásatrúarfélagið (the Ásatrú Association), an officially recognized pagan religious organization in Iceland.
Musical Career
Hilmar Örn began his musical career in the early 1970s, playing drums in school bands. He was a member of the influential Icelandic band Þeyr, contributing lyrics and artwork. Over his career, he has collaborated with numerous artists including Psychic TV, Current 93, Sigur Rós, Björk, Steindór Andersen, and Eivør Pálsdóttir. He has also been involved in projects such as Frostbite, Grindverk, MÖK Trio, and the Hafler Trio (H3ÖH).
Film Composition
Hilmar Örn has composed music for more than 25 films, working with directors such as Friðrik Þór Friðriksson, Jane Campion (In the Cut, 2003), Henning Carlsen (Pan, 1995), and Sturla Gunnarsson (Beowulf & Grendel, 2005). He won the European Film Award for Best Composer in 1991 for his score to Children of Nature (Börn Náttúrunnar), which was also nominated for an Academy Award. In 2015, he received a Grammy nomination for his score to the Finnish film The Grump.
Religious Role
Hilmar Örn joined the Ásatrúarfélagið at age 16 in 1974, shortly after its founding. He has served as allsherjargoði (high priest) since 2003, succeeding Jónína Kristín Berg. In this capacity, he has led interfaith services, advocated for environmental causes (including erecting a níðstöng against the Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Project in 2003), and supported progressive initiatives such as same-sex marriage rights. Under his leadership, the organization began construction of its first major temple (hof) in Öskjuhlíð, Reykjavík—the first such temple in Northern Europe in approximately 1,000 years.
Personal Life
Hilmar Örn is married to writer Ragna Sigurðardóttir and has four children. He has taught composition at the Iceland Academy of the Arts since 2007.
