Folk Metal Music Genre | metalmusicexpert's Blog

Born in the 1990's, and perhaps the earliest example is the British band Skyclad, folk metal is an offshoot of heavy metal that typically uses folkish instruments and occasionally folk singing styles. In recent years the genre has virtually exploded with many newcomers making this genre much more mainstream. Europe is very popular with folk heavy metal bands, probably because of the style, history and inspiration that the region reflects. Romanticism and pagan beliefs are some of the more popular structures of folk metal music.

There is also some other styles of folk metal or subgenres of folk metal, Oriental, Viking and Celtic metal. There is always the question who started folk metal. Most people say Cruachan started Celtic metal which was just the guitarist expressing interest in traditional black metal with a folk metal style. Other notable bands in the genre are Primordial another black/folk metal fusion and Waylander.

There was some media attention for folk metal in 1991. When Orphaned Land, a death metal progressive band, had an Arabic and Jewish style of music. This started of a new subgenre of music, Oriental Metal. Where at times has been to incorporate different distinctive styles from the Middle East.

Viking metal, which incorporates anything from flutes to hurdy-gurdys, clean chanting vocals to death-metal growls was pioneered by the Swedish band Bathory in the early 90's. Named after the infamous Hungarian countess, Bathory set the standard for all Viking metal to follow. Powerful ballads are combined with paganism and mythology in Viking metal. Viking themed lyrics have been enjoyed in all mainstreams and popularity of metal music. Amon Amarth has produced some of these Viking lyrics and placed them in death metal. Ensiferium have the bars set high for Viking metal. They are one of the most popular and defined Viking metal bands in the genre today.

Folk metal themes are often strong shows of masculinity and nationalism. On occasion national-socialist ideology seeps into the genre by way of Nationalism Socialism Black Metal (NSBM) bands experimenting, though it is not generally accepted by the fan base that while being proud of their nationality does not not hold racist sentiments. This has made problems for lots of bands that have had to publicly denounce racism and other controversial topics.

There are many festivals for folk metal, where they have a large group of die-hard fans. Heathen Fest, Notably Paganfest and Noctis Valkyries Metal Festival. In the United States, folk metal is become more popular to the metal community and more and more festivals have been hosted here.

Although folk metal has been penned by some as a 'passing fad', this 'fad' has its roots in years of hard work and dedication. There is a style of music that you can appreciate in folk music, where generations of fans and musicians have passed on for other to experiment with. Folk metal is for some a musical staple and for other casual metal listeners a welcome break from the monotony of breakdowns and chugs all too prevalent in today's 'scene'.

Additional Reference
Heavy Metal Forum
Jazz + Classical + Metal = Progressive Metal
Nu Metal Music Genre