Heritage metal makes me think bands like Forefather, Ancient Rites, Bathory, Folkearth and Waylander.
Ie, pretty much my favourite metal bands.
I mean, as in with a name like 'heritage metal' (never heard of it btw) I would imagine, like, tales of times gone and nostalgia, and a whiff of national romance, and, most importantly, Vikings.
I mean, if I was to think of one song to sum up this genre I'd never heard of, it would be Ancient Rites - (Ode to Ancient) Europa
"I still hear the ancient warcry
I still hear the ancient battlecry
The great old European heroes, the proud old European names
Like snow now melted for sunlight, today their lustre gleams
Gone are the great old empires, the proud old names are low
That shed a glory over the ancient world, a thousand years ago
But wandering the medieval cities beholding our ancient lands
Albion, Saxonia, land of Franks: constructed by our ancestor's hands
I still hear the ancient warcry
I still hear the ancient battlecry
In the country of our fathers on the land and sea
Can you hear a million voices? Thy forefathers summoning thee!
Summoning thee!
Many centuries ago, beyond the hazy space
In Brittany, Eire and Caledonia there dwelt a mighty race
Celts they were called, like their holy oaks, they had a giant grace
Slavonian kingdoms, empires and tribes
Defending their ancient lands and rights
From invading hordes from the East
Thousands slaughtered, men and beast
I still hear the ancient warcry
I still hear the ancient battlecry!!"
