Folk metal

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Folk metal
Stylistic origins: Heavy metal
Folk music
Cultural origins: Varied
Typical instruments: Electric guitar, Bass guitar, Drums, Violin
Mainstream popularity: Regionwise popularity in Europe; little in America
Subgenres
Celtic metal, Oriental metal, Mittelalter rock
Other topics
Timeline of heavy metal

Folk metal is a diverse collection of music, encompassing a wide variety of different styles and approaches. As the name suggests, the one common ground between folk metal bands is a shared interest in fusing heavy metal music with elements of folk music.

Contents

[edit] Origins

The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth by Skyclad is credited as the first folk metal album.
The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth by Skyclad is credited as the first folk metal album.

In 1990, the pioneering British band Skyclad was formed after vocalist Martin Walkyier left his previous band, Sabbat.[1] Skyclad began as a thrash metal band but they added violins from session musician Mike Evans on several tracks from their debut album, The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth,[2] with the song "The Widdershins Jig" acclaimed as "particularly significant" and "a certain first in the realms of Metal".[3] The band added a full time violinist to their ranks[1][2] and has since been credited as the originators and pioneers of folk metal.[4]

Hammerheart by Bathory is an influential album in the development of folk metal.
Hammerheart by Bathory is an influential album in the development of folk metal.

The year 1990 also saw the release of the landmark album Hammerheart by Swedish outfit Bathory, an influential band that had already played a significant role in developing black metal in the early 1980s.[5] An album from 1988, Blood Fire Death, had already signaled a change of direction[6] but it was with Hammerheart that the metal world was formally introduced to the "archetypical" Viking metal album.[7]

The early 1990s saw the formation of a number of other significant bands. The "foremost exponent"[8] of Viking metal Enslaved were formed in 1991.[9] The following year saw the formation of Cruachan, the band that has "gone the greatest lengths of anyone in their attempts to expand" the genre of folk metal.[10]

Subsequent bands such as Finntroll and Moonsorrow fused a path that blended the folk melodies and instrumentation of Skyclad and Cruachan with the darker, synths-oriented approach of Bathory and Enslaved.[11]

[edit] Musical characteristics

Music samples:

Folk metal bands can come across as very different from one another. They arrive at the genre from different backgrounds and sources. Consequently, they adopt different styles of both metal and folk music.

The diverse range of metal styles in the genre includes black metal, death metal, doom metal, power metal, progressive metal and traditional metal. Examples of folk metal bands performing black or death metal include Finntroll and Melechesh while examples of doom oriented folk metal include Silent Stream of Godless Elegy and Orphaned Land.[12] The traditional or power metal approach can be found in such bands as Mägo de Oz and Elvenking.[13] Progressive tendencies can be found in Týr, Wuthering Heights, the aforementioned Elvenking and Orphaned Land.[14]

The diverse folk elements in the genre generally reflect the ethnic background of the musicians. Celtic music can be found among such Irish bands as Cruachan and Waylander as well as bands outside Ireland, including the Swiss band Eluveitie and the Brazilians Tuatha de Danann.[15] Scandinavian folk styles are represented by such bands as Finntroll and Korpiklaani while Middle-Eastern sounds and rhythms permeate the oriental metal of Orphaned Land and Melechesh.[16]

The Faroe Islanders Týr does not feature any keyboardist or folk instrumentalist in their line-up.
The Faroe Islanders Týr does not feature any keyboardist or folk instrumentalist in their line-up.

Some bands such as Finntroll and Moonsorrow largely rely on synths to replicate folk sounds and melodies.[17] Other bands have turned towards real live instrumentation. Skyclad and Elvenking each includes a dedicated band member who performs on both the violin and keyboards while others such as Cruachan, Eluveitie, Korpiklaani and Silent Stream of Godless Elegy rely on two or more dedicated band members to perform an assortment of folk instruments.[18] In contrast, some bands such as Primordial and Týr have relied on just guitars and drums to deliver the folk melodies and rhythms.[19]

The kantele is an instrument used by Korpiklaani.
The kantele is an instrument used by Korpiklaani.

Folk instruments in the genre range from the common to the exotic. Violins are a common occurrence in numerous bands including Skyclad, Cruachan, Elvenking, Eluveitie, Korpiklaani, Silent Stream of Godless Elegy and Mägo de Oz.[18][20] Some bands are also known to highlight more exotic instruments from their ethnic background or country, including Skyforger's use of the Latvian kokle, Metsatöll's use of the Estonian torupill, Korpiklaani's use of the Finnish kantele and Orphaned Land's use of the oud and saz.[21]

[edit] Lyrical themes

Orphaned Land, seen here performing live at 2007 Summer Breeze Open Air festival, feature lyrics with a positive religious theme.
Orphaned Land, seen here performing live at 2007 Summer Breeze Open Air festival, feature lyrics with a positive religious theme.

Common lyrical themes in folk metal includes paganism, nature, fantasy and mythology.

Folk Metal has been associated with paganism ever since its inception when Martin Walkyier left his former band Sabbat to form Skyclad in part because the band "wasn't going to go far enough down the pagan, British way that we wanted to do it."[22] The lyrics of Skyclad are known to deal with pagan matters.[3] The band Cruachan was also founded by a self-described pagan, Keith Fay.[23] Cruachan, along with other bands such as Eluveitie and Skyforger, are known to describe their music as pagan metal.[24] Some folk metal bands are also known to be openly critical of organized religion, including Finntroll and Cruachan.[25] In contrast, the bands Orphaned Land and Holy Blood are known to feature lyrics with positive Jewish and Christian themes respectively.[26]

Nature is a common subject to folk metal bands such as Elvenking, Korpiklaani and Vintersorg.[27] For the band Agalloch, nature is an embraced theme "because we are siding with what is essentially the victim in a relationship where humankind is a disease."[28] All the members of Skyclad are supporters of "organisations like Greenpeace and others, for those are the ones who stand up and take on the battle" between "people who want to save the planet, and people who want to destroy it."[29]

Fantasy comic Sláine is a source of inspiration for the lyrics of folk metal band Slough Feg.
Fantasy comic Sláine is a source of inspiration for the lyrics of folk metal band Slough Feg.

The pioneers of the genre Skyclad avoided fantasy lyrics because "there was already enough fantasy in the world, told to us by our politicians every day."[29] Nonetheless, other folk metal bands have since feature fantasy themes in their lyrics, including Elvenking, Ensiferum and Cruachan.[30] The American band Slough Feg not only feature fantasy subjects in their lyrics but also derived their name from the British barbarian fantasy comic book Sláine.[31]

Finntroll, seen here performing at the 2007 Masters of Rock concert, are lyrically obsessed with trolls.
Finntroll, seen here performing at the 2007 Masters of Rock concert, are lyrically obsessed with trolls.

Norse mythology can be found in the lyrics of such Scandinavian bands as Falkenbach and Týr.[32] The bands Finntroll and Trollfest have focused primarily on the mythological creatures known as trolls.[33] Outside Scandinavia, bands such as Cruachan, Melechesh and Skyforger are also known to feature lyrics based on the mythology of their respective ethnic culture.[34]

Political and historical themes can also be found among folk metal bands such as Cruachan and Skyclad.[35] The "central theme" in the music of Eluveitie is the "Celtic history of Switzerland."[36] Skyforger and Melechesh are also known to deal with historical subject matters from their ethnic background.[37]

Some National Socialist black metal bands such as Kroda and Temnozor have been known to cross over to folk metal,[38] a circumstance that Ciaran O'Hagan, the vocalist of Waylander, views as "an insult to people like myself who don’t hold with fascist ideals at all."[39] Other folk metal bands, including Cruachan and Skyforger, have been mistaken for harboring National Socialism sympathies partly because of the use of pagan symbols that are often misconstrued as neo-nazi symbols.[40]

[edit] Subgenres

[edit] Mittelalter rock

Main article: Mittelalter rock

Mittelalter rock or Mittelalter metal (Medieval rock or Medieval metal) is a German subgenre of folk metal that blends hard rock or heavy metal music with medieval folk music. Examples include In Extremo, Subway to Sally and Morgenstern.[41]

[edit] Oriental metal

Main article: Oriental metal

Oriental metal is a subgenre of folk metal that incorporates elements of traditional Middle Eastern music. Examples include Orphaned Land, Melechesh and Distorted.[42]

[edit] Celtic metal

Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that incorporates elements of traditional Celtic music. Examples include Cruachan, Waylander and Eluveitie.[43]

[edit] Related styles

[edit] Viking metal

Main article: Viking metal

Viking metal is a term used in reference to heavy metal music with a dramatic emphasis on Norse mythology, Norse paganism and the life and times of Northern and Central Europeans prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia. Folk metal bands that are known to perform folk metal with a lyrical emphasis on Norse mythology are also known as Viking metal bands. Examples include Moonsorrow, Falkenbach and Týr.[44]

[edit] See also

Main article: List of folk metal bands

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Allmusic. Skyclad biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Metalstorm. Skyclad Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Rockdetector. Skyclad Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  4. ^ Metalstorm. Skyclad Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    The BNR Metal Pages. Skyclad Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    Metal Eater. Skyclad feature. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  5. ^ The BNR Metal Pages. Bathory Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  6. ^ Allmusic. Bathory Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  7. ^ Allmusic. Hammerheart Review. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  8. ^ Rockdetector. Enslaved Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  9. ^ Enslaved Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  10. ^ Allmusic. Cruachan Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  11. ^ The BNR Metal Pages. Finntroll Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    The BNR Metal Pages. Moonsorrow Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  12. ^ Finntroll Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Allmusic. Melechesh biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Silent Stream of Godless Elegy Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Rockdetector. Orphaned Land Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
  13. ^ Rockdetector. Mägo de Oz biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Elvenking Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
  14. ^ Allmusic. Týr Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Wuthering Heights Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Allmusic. Elvenking Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Rockdetector. Orphaned Land Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
  15. ^ Cruachan Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Waylander Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Eluveitie Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Rockdetector. Tuatha de Danann Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
  16. ^ Allmusic. Finntroll biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Metalstorm. Korpiklaani Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Allmusic. Orphaned Land Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Rockdetector. Melechesh biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
  17. ^ Metalstorm. Finntroll. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    Metalstorm. Moonsorrow. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
  18. ^ a b Metalstorm. Skyclad Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    Metalstorm. Elvenking. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
    Metalstorm. Cruachan Biography. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
    Metalstorm. Eluveitie. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    Korpiklaani Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    Silent Stream of Godless Elegy Official Website. Band Line-Up. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
  19. ^ Metalstorm. Týr. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
    Metalstorm. Primordial. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
  20. ^ Rockdetector. Mägo de Oz biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
  21. ^ Maelstrom. Skyforger Interview. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
    Estonian Metal. Metsatöll Interview. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
    Tartare and Desire. Korpiklaani Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
    From Below. Orphaned Land Interview. Retrieved on February 06, 2008.
  22. ^ The Plague Webzine. Martin Walkyier Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  23. ^ Rock Impressions. Keith Fay Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  24. ^ Metalstorm. Cruachan Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Lords of Metal. Eluveitie Interview 2005. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Metal Observer. Skyforger Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  25. ^ New York Times. Finnish Folk-Metal, in Swedish, Plus Trolls. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Get Ready to Rock. Cruachan Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  26. ^ Mauce.nl, The Metal Resource. Holy Blood Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
    Beyond Ear Candy. Orphaned Land Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
  27. ^ True Metal. Elvenking Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Soundchecks Music Review. Korpiklaani Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Chronicle of Chaos. Vintersorg Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  28. ^ Metal Rules. Agalloch Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  29. ^ a b Lords of Metal. Skyclad Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  30. ^ Metalstorm. Elvenking Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Tartare and Desire. Ensiferum Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Metal Observer. Cruachan Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  31. ^ Enslaved By Metal. The Lord Weird Slough Feg Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
  32. ^ Dead Tide. Falkenbach Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Lords of Metal. Týr Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  33. ^ Metal Rules. Finntroll Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
    Northern Metal. Trollfest Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
  34. ^ Metalstorm. Cruachan Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Chronicles of Chaos. Melechesh Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
    Modern Fix. Skyforger Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
  35. ^ Get Ready to Rock. Cruachan Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Lords of Metal. Skyclad Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  36. ^ Lords of Metal. Eluveitie Interview 2006. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  37. ^ From Below. Skyforger Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Chronicles of Chaos. Melechesh Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
  38. ^ Mortemzine. Kroda Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
    Breidablik-zine. Temnozor Interview. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
  39. ^ Metal Coven. Waylander Interview. Retrieved on February 17, 2008.
  40. ^ Rock Impressions. Keith Fay Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Tartare and Desire. Skyforger Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
  41. ^ Rockdetector. In Extremo Biography. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
    Rockdetector. Subway to Sally Biography. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
    Rockdetector. Morgenstern Biography. Retrieved on February 08, 2008.
  42. ^ Rockdetector. Orphaned Land Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Allmusic. Melechesh biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Sonic Cathedral Webzine. Distorted Interview. Retrieved on February 19, 2008.
  43. ^ Allmusic. Cruachan Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    Waylander Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
    Eluveitie Official Website. Biography. Retrieved on February 05, 2008.
  44. ^ The BNR Metal Pages. Moonsorrow Biography. Retrieved on February 04, 2008.
    Dead Tide. Falkenbach Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.
    Lords of Metal. Týr Interview. Retrieved on February 07, 2008.


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