Topic: Viking/Folk Metal (Read 15867 times)

Patatat · « **on:** 29 Sep 2006, 23:58 »

Who here loves that shit?

AlexAttack · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 01:43 »

i love black metal but always am confused as to what viking actually is. is it like really early satyricon or enslaved?

Patatat · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 02:43 »

Pretty much metal, that sings songs about Vikings, or like tells an epic poem pretty much in their songs.

www.myspace.com/folkearth is my best example.

Praeserpium Machinarum · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 03:16 »

As Khar probably will tell you, Bathory is the essential viking metal band. Albums like Hammerheart, Blood Fire Death and my favourite Blood on Ice are good examples of what viking metal is about. But as said, Khar can explain it better and more elaborate than I can.

Fen · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 04:09 »

Korpiklaan(sp?) is the ultimate viking metal band. Sadly, they only sing about beer.
Viking metal isn't about the viking message, it's about the viking sound.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 04:28 »

EEE-URRR

Wrong. 'Viking' metal...well, has to be about Vikings. It's probably the only criteria for calling something viking metal, because otherwise the bands that you might class as viking metal are spread rather wide. Your standard viking metal is your Bathory-a-like: combination of clean and weak black metal vocals, choirs (often all male), songs may prominently include acoustic guitar, so on so forth. But still, I would certainly call Amon Amarth and Ancient Rites Viking metal, and they don't sound like that, or each other. It's all attitude. There's also quite a lot of subgenres that make you think maybe 'barbarian metal' might be a better sobriquet: You've got bands like Cruachan and Waylander with their pipes and whistles singing about celtic fury and killing vikings, Forefather singing about Anglo-Saxons clobbering Celts, Korpiklaani, Finntroll and Kalmah singing about trolls, goblins, swamp-men and goodness knows what kicking the everliving shit out of scandinavian christians, and so on and so forth. Ancient Rites even managed to write a few songs about the historical achievments and victories of the Belgians. A lot of it probably teeters on the brink of racism for anyone with a politically correct view about what pasty caucasians are allowed to say, but that's really not what it's about at all. Viking metal, and everything related to it, is 2 parts historical revisionism, 2 parts a celebration of the bands own culture (or another culture they think is really neat) and 2 parts balls to the walls.

Folk metal is something different again, though they are clearly related and often cross over.

TrueNeutral · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 09:00 »

I only know two folk metal bands.

First, Skyclad, which is really awesome.

Second, Finntroll, which is really fun. (TROLLHAMMAREN.)

valley_parade · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 10:01 »

Korpiklanni (there you go, Fen)...woo!

Amon Amarth does songs about vikings..and I like them.

AlexAttack · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 10:11 »

then by this criteria enslaved is a viking metal band. i guess with some bands there is a fine line between black and viking.

_Nikku · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 11:47 »

Quote from: TrueNeutral on 30 Sep 2006, 09:00

Second, Finntroll, which is really fun. (TROLLHAMMAREN.)

*jumps up and down throwing up the horns* \m/ yes!!! Finntroll is awesome, there's a quick reference to them in the adult swim show metalpocolypse's first episode.

I still have yet to meet someone else in my town who listens to them.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 12:17 »

I've seen them live. So good.

BeoPuppy · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 13:28 »

Lucky, lucky, lucky BASTARD.

Thank you.

I only managed to see Skyclad. About a week before Martin Walkyier left the band.

Patatat · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Sep 2006, 17:13 »

Black Metal is greatness, but when they throw Vikings into the mix it becomes epic pretty much.

Borondir · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 Oct 2006, 21:54 »

I don't think Viking metal is a very useful genre name. You can categorize a group of bands as
Viking by their subject matter, but they will be all over the place musically.

Enslaved is proggish post-black metal at this point, Amon Armath is straight up melodeath,
but Tyr is some sort of doomy prog.

Korpiklaani, Finntroll, etc., are Finnish, and don't sing about Vikings, but rather, as Khar pointed out, about trolls.
I would call them all folk metal, which of course is also a loaded term, since Finntroll plays black metal and Korpiklaani
plays thrash.

In summary, Viking metal usually complicates rather than simplifies genre discussions.

BeoPuppy · « **Reply #14 on:** 03 Oct 2006, 00:16 »

And if you call something Troll Metal, all of a sudden you're giving off completely the wrong impression.

Lines · « **Reply #15 on:** 03 Oct 2006, 06:18 »

i have never heard of this and now i am all excited on the inside.

TrueNeutral · « **Reply #16 on:** 03 Oct 2006, 14:00 »

Quote from: _Nikku on 30 Sep 2006, 11:47

Quote from: TrueNeutral on 30 Sep 2006, 09:00

Second, Finntroll, which is really fun. (TROLLHAMMAREN.)
*jumps up and down throwing up the horns* \m/ yes!!! Finntroll is awesome, there's a quick reference to them in the adult swim show metalpocolypse's first episode.

I still have yet to meet someone else in my town who listens to them.

I've actually managed to get quite a few people into Finntroll. Several of my friends, as well as some dude from Singapore who actually doesn't even like metal but just thought Finntroll was really catchy.

Scytale · « **Reply #17 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 01:16 »

Has anyone else noticed the trend amongst 'viking' bands, that they tend to introduce more progish elements with every release and lately it seems electronics are the thing as well. Look at a few of my favorite bands Windir, Vintersorg and Enslaved. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love albums like "Below the Lights", "Isa" and "Visions from the Spiral Generator" but the progression is amazing.

If you're looking for really good folky viking stuff I reccomend trying to track down the Storm album "Nordavind". It's a project between Fenriz, Satyr and Kari Ruselatten. Some of the best black metalish folk I've heard.

It's pretty much a peice of kvlt wankery but some of the stuff Fenriz released as Isengard is really realy good as well.

Trollstormur · « **Reply #18 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 03:19 »

Quote from: Borondir on 01 Oct 2006, 21:54

I don't think Viking metal is a very useful genre name. You can categorize a group of bands as
Viking by their subject matter, but they will be all over the place musically.

Enslaved is proggish post-black metal at this point, Amon Armath is straight up melodeath,
but Tyr is some sort of doomy prog.

Korpiklaani, Finntroll, etc., are Finnish, and don't sing about Vikings, but rather, as Khar pointed out, about trolls.
I would call them all folk metal, which of course is also a loaded term, since Finntroll plays black metal and Korpiklaani
plays thrash.

In summary, Viking metal usually complicates rather than simplifies genre discussions.

the term 'epic metal' usually helps me describe viking metal. epic folk black metal, blackened epic thrash, symphonic black thrash with death influences. it's impossible to effectively describe a lot of bands using just 1 genre.

screwjack · « **Reply #19 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 05:34 »

I like In Extremo, they do a lot of folk songs. I read about them that people say they are not the best folk metal band but they were one of the first.

onewheelwizzard · « **Reply #20 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 13:22 »

http://stonerrock.com/jukebox/Grand_Magus-Ulvaskall_(Vargr).mp3

Is this Viking metal?

Cartilage Head · « **Reply #21 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 14:47 »

Fintroll is really great. That is all.

Misguider · « **Reply #22 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 15:58 »

I like black metal, Mix it with vikings and im sold.Violent music about gore!

ImRonBurgundy? · « **Reply #23 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 21:41 »

I'm waiting for the Japanese to get a hold of this concept and start making Samurai Metal. With like koto interludes and stuff.

NERO · « **Reply #24 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 21:44 »

Quote from: Misguider on 04 Oct 2006, 15:58

Violent music about gore!

No, then you get cannibal corpse.

Storm Rider · « **Reply #25 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 22:55 »

Quote from: ImRonBurgundy? on 04 Oct 2006, 21:41

I'm waiting for the Japanese to get a hold of this concept and start making Samurai Metal. With like koto interludes and stuff.

I would listen to this so hard.

Scytale · « **Reply #26 on:** 04 Oct 2006, 23:04 »

Quote from: Storm Rider on 04 Oct 2006, 22:55

Quote from: ImRonBurgundy? on 04 Oct 2006, 21:41
I'm waiting for the Japanese to get a hold of this concept and start making Samurai Metal. With like koto interludes and stuff.

I would listen to this so hard.

Closest thing I can think off to what you're talking about "Sigh" are awesome.

BeoPuppy · « **Reply #27 on:** 05 Oct 2006, 02:17 »

Quote from: ImRonBurgundy? on 04 Oct 2006, 21:41

I'm waiting for the Japanese to get a hold of this concept and start making Samurai Metal. With like koto interludes and stuff.

Can we forward this suggestion to Japan in general?

KharBevNor · « **Reply #28 on:** 05 Oct 2006, 08:19 »

Already been done, as Scytale said.

Brilliant album.

Also, check out 'Intercourse and Lust' by Abigail for some Yakuza metal (Hail Yakuza!). Actually, just check out Abigail, they fucking slay. 'Ultimate Unholy Death' is pretty sweet as well (Beer! Metal! Sex!)

Felix_ · « **Reply #29 on:** 19 Oct 2006, 21:02 »

I love this genre of heavy metal, it's easily one of my faves. Here are some notable releases:

Butterfly Temple - "Vremya Mary" & "Tropoyu Krovi Po Vole Roda"
Equilibrium - "Turis Fratyr"
Falkenbach - (everything they've released)
Folkearth - "A Nordic Poem"
Heidevolk - "De Strijdlust is Geboren"
Lumsk - "Troll"
Manegarm - "Dodsfard" & "Vredens Tid"
Moonsorrow - "Verisakeet"
Pagan Reign - "Spark Of Glory and the Revival Of Ancient Greatness" & "Ydeli Biloy Veri"
Skyforger - "Semigall's Warchant" & "Latvian Riflemen"

etc.

timehat · « **Reply #30 on:** 19 Oct 2006, 21:49 »

I have been enjoying some Einherjer lately, who are often mentioned in reference to the "Viking" prefix.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #31 on:** 19 Oct 2006, 21:53 »

Why have we gotten this far in the proceedings with no one mentioning BORKNAGAR?

Alos, Ulver's second album Kveldssanger is folk-metal

Borondir · « **Reply #32 on:** 19 Oct 2006, 22:55 »

Maybe because Borknagar is really neither folk metal or viking metal. One kind of metal they are is awesome metal though!

Also sort of progressive/
post-black.

And Kveldssanger isn't metal at all. No amplified instruments=not metal. Just because Ulver made one or two metal albums
doesn't mean they are always going to be a metal band. Of course Kveldssanger (and all of Ulver's output) is good regardless
of what genre it is.

Trollstormur · « **Reply #33 on:** 19 Oct 2006, 23:44 »

this is too confusing for me. I hereby give up on being a metal snob.

i'mma go listen to some metalcore, k?

Felix_ · « **Reply #34 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 01:05 »

Quote from: Trollstormur on 19 Oct 2006, 23:44

this is too confusing for me. I hereby give up on being a metal snob.

i'mma go listen to some metalcore, k?

NO!! Don't! ;(

David_Dovey · « **Reply #35 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 01:05 »

Quote from: Borondir on 19 Oct 2006, 22:55

Maybe because Borknagar is really neither folk metal or viking metal. One kind of metal they are is awesome metal though! Also sort of progressive/
post-black.

And Kveldssanger isn't metal at all. No amplified instruments=not metal. Just because Ulver made one or two metal albums
doesn't mean they are always going to be a metal band. Of course Kveldssanger (and all of Ulver's output) is good regardless
of what genre it is.

Well fuck. I sit corrected. If you guys need me I'll be on Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Metallum

Felix_ · « **Reply #36 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 01:14 »

Quote from: David_Dovey on 20 Oct 2006, 01:05

Quote from: Borondir on 19 Oct 2006, 22:55
Maybe because Borknagar is really neither folk metal or viking metal. One kind of metal they are is awesome metal though! Also sort of progressive/
post-black.

And Kveldssanger isn't metal at all. No amplified instruments=not metal. Just because Ulver made one or two metal albums
doesn't mean they are always going to be a metal band. Of course Kveldssanger (and all of Ulver's output) is good regardless
of what genre it is.

Well fuck. I sit corrected. If you guys need me I'll be on Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Metallum

One could very well make the arguement that albums like "The Olden Domain" and "The Archaic Course" are both very much within the viking vein (unless of course you believe that all "viking metal" has to have pan flutes, horned helms, and strings/accordians). The way I see it is if a band like Enslaved, with their earlier releases such as "Eld" and "Blodhemn" can be considered "viking metal", and I most surely do consider them just that, then at least the first three Borknagar records could be considered likewise. The distinctions between viking metal and black metal, IMO, are very small, and really..the only thing that a band or artist would have to do is to have viking-based lyrical matter to become "viking metal" instead of writing songs about burning churches and invoking Satawnz demons out of your arse while fucking dead nuns,..or something.

Felix_ · « **Reply #37 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 02:28 »

Quote from: KharBevNor on 05 Oct 2006, 08:19

Already been done, as Scytale said.

Brilliant album.

Also, check out 'Intercourse and Lust' by Abigail for some Yakuza metal (Hail Yakuza!). Actually, just check out Abigail, they fucking slay. 'Ultimate Unholy Death' is pretty sweet as well (Beer! Metal! Sex!)

Abigail kick ass! So does Barbatos!!

Scytale · « **Reply #38 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 02:58 »

Manegarm are another really good viking band. Their album Vredens Tid is really good.

Borondir · « **Reply #39 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 15:44 »

Quote from: David_Dovey on 20 Oct 2006, 01:05

Well fuck. I sit corrected. If you guys need me I'll be on Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Metallum

Sorry if I came across as being snobby. I was just offering my personal opinion on their genres based
on how I understand common usage of terms. Other knowledgeable metal fans will respectfully come to different conclusions.
Encyclopedia Mettalum actually lists them as progressive folk/viking. *shrug*

I have always thought of early Borknagar as just symphonic black metal. Over the course of their career they have moved in a progressive direction.
I'd say they have some folk elements, but those elements are integrated into their progressive leanings. They did have some sort of Viking aspects on Olden Domain, but I wouldn't say they were enough to call them a Viking band.

As I've mentioned before, this is why I think Viking metal shouldn't be thought of as a actual genre, but as a style bands from different genres play in. Folk metal has a little more usefulness as a genre label, but folk metal bands still play some genre of metal with folk stylings.

Felix_ · « **Reply #40 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 16:13 »

Quote from: Borondir on 20 Oct 2006, 15:44

Quote from: David_Dovey on 20 Oct 2006, 01:05
Well fuck. I sit corrected. If you guys need me I'll be on Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Metallum
Sorry if I came across as being snobby. I was just offering my personal opinion on their genres based
on how I understand common usage of terms. Other knowledgeable metal fans will respectfully come to different conclusions.
Encyclopedia Mettalum actually lists them as progressive folk/viking. *shrug*

I have always thought of early Borknagar as just symphonic black metal. Over the course of their career they have moved in a progressive direction.
I'd say they have some folk elements, but those elements are integrated into their progressive leanings. They did have some sort of Viking aspects on Olden Domain, but I wouldn't say they were enough to call them a Viking band.

As I've mentioned before, this is why I think Viking metal shouldn't be thought of as a actual genre, but as a style bands from different genres play in. Folk metal has a little more usefulness as a genre label, but folk metal bands still play some genre of metal with folk stylings.

You'd call their debut record "symphonic black metal"? This isn't the same band that Vintersorg fronts now that surely is "symphonic black metal" and surely is excessively boring. What constitutes as 'enough aspects' when labelling a band "viking metal"? Does it have to sound like "Hammerheart"? I agree that "viking metal" and I think "folk metal" as well shouldn't be used as definitive genre tags but that should be used merely to, as you say, describe the "stylings" of their music. There is far too vast of a 'grey area' in many ways, and really, it's just sort of silly pondering what they are and what they aren't after awhile.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #41 on:** 20 Oct 2006, 21:49 »

Quote from: Borondir on 20 Oct 2006, 15:44

Sorry if I came across as being snobby. I was just offering my personal opinion on their genres based
on how I understand common usage of terms. Other knowledgeable metal fans will respectfully come to different conclusions.
Encyclopedia Mettalum actually lists them as progressive folk/viking. *shrug*

For the record, you didn't come across as being snobby, and in fact I generally agree with everything you've said. You make some very strong points

Quote

As I've mentioned before, this is why I think Viking metal shouldn't be thought of as a actual genre, but as a style bands from different genres play in. Folk metal has a little more usefulness as a genre label, but folk metal bands still play some genre of metal with folk stylings.
[/quote

Agreed

onewheelwizzard · « **Reply #42 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 00:38 »

Nobody answered my question.

Hat · « **Reply #43 on:** 26 Oct 2006, 01:26 »

Quote from: ImRonBurgundy? on 04 Oct 2006, 21:41

I'm waiting for the Japanese to get a hold of this concept and start making Samurai Metal. With like koto interludes and stuff.

http://www.orochijyo.cjb.net/

They don't really classify themselves as metal, but when you have twin guitar solo harmonies, you are as metal as I require in these situations.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #44 on:** 16 Nov 2006, 21:34 »

Things that I haven't found yet or that need to be done:
Pirate Metal
Ninja Metal
Samurai Metal
Desert Nomad Metal
Jungle Tribe Metal
Cossack Metal

KharBevNor · « **Reply #45 on:** 16 Nov 2006, 23:32 »

Quote from: Dimmukane on 16 Nov 2006, 21:34

Things that I haven't found yet or that need to be done:
Pirate Metal
Ninja Metal
Samurai Metal

We've covered Samurai metal...as for the Pirate metal...seriously? You've never found any? I suggest you go out and buy Running Wild - Under Jolly Roger right now (AHOY THAR! THREE MASTER OFF THE STARBOARD BOW! MAN THE CANNONS...FIIIIIIIRE!) amd then everything else they ever did plus 3 Inches of Blood - Advance & Vanquish might not be amiss.

As for ninjas...

Ninja Magic - The Way of Life

'Ninja Nation' might just be the best power metal release of the 00's. And I'm not joking when I say that. Download it from their website and see what I mean. Shadow Warriors aren't bad either. And by 'aren't bad' I mean they're a secret Dragonforce side project that writes songs exclusively about ninjas.

The other things I'm not quite sure about, though you might want to try some Isreali metal, particularly Salem, Melechesh and Orphaned Land, who I suppose might somewhat fit in to 'desert nomad' metal.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #46 on:** 16 Nov 2006, 23:56 »

more things that need to be found:
Shinobi Metal (Pirate-Ninjas)
Spartan Metal
Gladiator Metal (could be lumped in with Spartan Metal, or Spartan Metal could be entirely about Master Chief)
Sasquatch/Abominable Snowman Metal (Tenacious D doesn't count)

KharBevNor · « **Reply #47 on:** 17 Nov 2006, 03:39 »

Quote from: Dimmukane on 16 Nov 2006, 23:56

Gladiator Metal (could be lumped in with Spartan Metal, or Spartan Metal could be entirely about Master Chief)

Bal-Sagoth - Blood Stains the Sands at the Circus Maximus

AlexAttack · « **Reply #48 on:** 17 Nov 2006, 03:59 »

blood slakes the sand at the circus maximus is an awesome song. i recently got a job after searching for a few months and so i put it on really loud, had a cone on my balcony and felt very triumphant.

Scytale · « **Reply #49 on:** 17 Nov 2006, 10:53 »

Pirate Metal - See Running Wild or Barbatos (Japanese Pirates)
Ninja Metal - Abaigail (I guess), Tzun Tzu
Samurai Metal - Oni (also covers Japanese Daemonology), Sigh
Desert Nomad Metal - Melechesh (maybe not nomad but certainly desert influenced)
Jungle Tribe Metal - Sepultura - Roots album (It sucks BTW)
Cossack Metal - I don't know exactly what "Cossack is supposed to sound like but there are plenty of Russian and Ukranian folk bands about.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Viking/Folk Metal (Read 15867 times)

Patatat

AlexAttack

Patatat

Praeserpium Machinarum

TrueNeutral

AlexAttack

_Nikku

Patatat

TrueNeutral

Scytale

screwjack

Misguider

Scytale

Felix_

timehat

Felix_

Felix_

Felix_

Scytale

Felix_

AlexAttack

Scytale