List of folk metal bands
Encyclopedia
Folk metal
Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
is a fusion of heavy metal music
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
with folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
. This includes the widespread use of folk instrument
Folk instrument
A folk instrument is an instrument that developed among common people and usually doesn't have a known inventor. It can be made from wood, metal or other material. It is a part of folk music...
s and to a lesser extent traditional singing styles.
The music of folk metal is characterised by its diversity with bands known to perform different styles of both heavy metal music and folk music. Bands are identified in the list below.
List of bands
| Band | Country | Formed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adorned Brood Adorned Brood Adorned Brood is a folk black metal band from Neuss, Germany.- History :After the foundation in 1993, Adorned Brood recorded two demo tape. They signed a contract to German music label Folter Records. They recorded their first studio album Hiltia in 1996. They recorded a new album, called Wigand,... |
Germany | 1993 | Medieval metal |
| Agalloch Agalloch Agalloch is an American metal band formed in 1995 in Portland, Oregon. The band is led by vocalist and guitarist John Haughm and so far have released four limited EPs, four full-length albums, two demos, one split album, one compilation album and one live DVD.... |
USA | 1996 | |
| Alestorm Alestorm Alestorm is a folk metal band from Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result have been dubbed a "Pirate metal" band at a popular heavy metal related website.... |
Scotland | 2004 | Pirate Metal |
| Amorphis Amorphis Amorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band started by Jan Rechberger, Tomi Koivusaari, and Esa Holopainen in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they evolved into playing other types of genres, which include heavy metal, progressive metal, and folk metal... |
Finland | 1990 | |
| Angizia Angizia Angizia is an avant-garde gothic/folk metal band formed in Austria in 1994 by Michael Haas .- Studio albums :* Die Kemenaten scharlachroter Lichter * Das Tagebuch der Hanna Anikin... |
Austria | 1994 | |
| Arkona Arkona (band) Arkona is a Russian pagan metal band. Their lyrics are heavily influenced by Russian folklore and Slavic mythology, and their music incorporates several traditional Russian musical instruments... |
Russia | 2002 | |
| Balkandji Balkandji Balkandji is a folk metal band from Bulgaria. They freely mix traditional Bulgarian music with hard rock and heavy metal. As Bulgarian folk music is very complex, in Balkandji songs odd time signatures and constant time signature changing are very common... |
Bulgaria | 1999 | |
| Bathory Bathory (band) Bathory was a Swedish heavy metal band, formed by Quorthon in 1983. They are regarded as pioneers of both black metal and viking metal. Quorthon remained the main songwriter and member of Bathory for more than two decades. Bathory was permanently ended after Quorthon's death in 2004... |
Sweden | 1983 | Viking metal Viking metal Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age... |
| Battlelore Battlelore Battlelore is a metal band from Lappeenranta, Finland. All of Battlelore's lyrics concern J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.-Style:Battlelore mixes female vocals with harsh male growling in "beauty and the beast" duet, backed by heavy guitar riffing and occasional keyboard interludes. The band's... |
Finland | 1999 | |
| Blackguard Blackguard (band) Blackguard is a melodic death metal band from Montréal, Québec, previously known as Profugus Mortis.-Formation :Blackguard was formed in 2001 by guitarist Terry Roadcase and drummer Justine "Juice" Éthier as a straight ahead black metal outfit, the Montreal-based sextet - was originally named... |
Canada | 2001 | |
| Borknagar Borknagar Borknagar is a progressive black metal band from Bergen, Norway, founded in 1995 by Øystein Garnes Brun. The band's style combines folk metal and black metal with progressive and melodic elements... |
Norway | 1995 | |
| Cruachan Cruachan (band) Cruachan [kroo-a-khawn] is a Celtic metal band from Dublin, Ireland that has been active since the 1990s. They have been acclaimed as having "gone the greatest lengths of anyone in their attempts to expand" the genre of folk metal. They are recognised as one of the founders of the genre of folk metal... |
Ireland | 1992 | Celtic metal Celtic metal Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander... |
| Cadacross Cadacross Cadacross was a Finnish heavy metal band formed in 1997. They went through a major line-up change after their debut album So Pale Is the Light. Georg Laakso, guitarist and vocalist, was the only remaining member from the previous lineup... |
Finland | 1997 | |
| Dalriada Dalriada (band) Dalriada is a folk metal band from Sopron, Hungary that was formed in 1998 as Echo of Dalriada, but shortened their name to Dalriada in late 2006. Their third studio album Kikelet and all subsequent albums were successful in the official Mahasz music charts with Szelek peaking at the second... |
Hungary | 2003 | |
| Elvenking Elvenking (band) Elvenking is a folk/power metal band from Italy. As of 2010, the band has released one demo, one single, and six full-length studio albums.- Biography :... |
Italy | 1997 | |
| Eluveitie Eluveitie Eluveitie is a folk metal band from Winterthur, Switzerland. The band formed in 2002 and their first EP, Vên came out in 2003. The band then released a full-length album, Spirit in June 2006. In November 2007, Eluveitie was signed by Nuclear Blast.... |
Switzerland | 2002 | Celtic metal Celtic metal Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander... |
| Empyrium Empyrium Empyrium is a German symphonic folk/doom metal and neofolk/dark folk band.- Band's history :Empyrium was founded in 1994 by Markus Stock and Andreas Bach, but later many other participated.... |
Germany | 1994 | |
| Ensiferum Ensiferum Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The members of the band label themselves as "heroic folk metal." Since their formation, Ensiferum has released four full-length albums, one EP, one compilation, three singles, and three demo albums and one unreleased album.-Musical... |
Finland | 1995 | |
| Equilibrium Equilibrium (band) Equilibrium is a Folk metal band from Germany. The band's music combines elements of folk and symphonic metal with various instruments including electric guitars, strings and flutes. Their riffs reflect traditional Germanic melodies.... |
Germany | 2003 | |
| Falconer Falconer (band) Falconer is a Swedish power metal band from Mjölby, formed in 1999. Founded by the former guitarist of Mithotyn, Stefan Weinerhall. Falconer carry on many of the traditions set by Weinerhall's previous band and play a style of power metal that utilises folk instrumentation and melody to create a... |
Sweden | 1999 | |
| Falkenbach Falkenbach Falkenbach is a Viking metal group from Germany that is currently signed to Prophecy Productions. The name means "Falconbrook" in German. The one permanent member is Vratyas Vakyas.-History:... |
Germany | 1989 | |
| Finntroll Finntroll Finntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. They combine elements of black metal and folk metal. Finntroll's lyrics are mostly in Swedish, the only exception being the song "Madon Laulu" on Visor Om Slutet... |
Finland | 1997 | |
| Folkearth Folkearth Folkearth is an international music project created in 2003 by musicians playing folk and viking metal. The name symbolizes musicians from all over the world playing folk music... |
International | 2003 | |
| Forefather Forefather Forefather are a folk metal band from Surrey, England.-History:The Forefather project was born in September 1997 in Surrey, England by founding members and brothers Athelstan and Wulfstan... |
England | 1997 | |
| Geasa Geasa (band) Geasa is a Celtic metal band originating from Dublin, Ireland. Formed by Fergal Purcell and John Kavanagh in 1993 the band combines traditional Celtic music with black metal to form Celtic black metal. They have released one demo album, one EP, and three full-length albums.They came onto the scene... |
Ireland | 1994 | |
| Glittertind Glittertind (band) Glittertind is a Norwegian folk metal and viking metal project which started in 2001.The band consist of Torbjørn Sandvik, Geirmund Simonsen and various guest musicians.... |
Norway | 2001 | |
| Heidevolk Heidevolk Heidevolk is a folk/viking metal band from the Netherlands. The lyrical themes of their music are inspired by nature, the history of Gelderland, and the history of Germanic mythology. All of their lyrics are in their native language, Dutch... |
Netherlands | 2002 | |
| Holy Blood | Ukraine | 1999 | |
| In Extremo In Extremo In Extremo is a German medieval metal band originating from Berlin. The band's musical style combines metal with medieval traditional songs, blending the sound of the standard rock/metal instruments with historical instruments... |
Germany | 1996 | Medieval metal |
| Kampfar Kampfar Kampfar is a black metal band from Fredrikstad, Norway. According to their singer, Dolk, their name is an ancient Norse battle cry which means Odin or Wotan.-History:... |
Norway | 1994 | |
| Kivimetsän Druidi Kivimetsän Druidi Kivimetsän Druidi is a folk metal band from Kouvola, Finland. 'Kivimetsän Druidi' is Finnish for "druid of the stone forest".-Band history:Their lyrics are based on the fantasy novel Joni Koskinen is writing. The novel tells a story from The Land of the Crystal Mountain and Stone Forest.'KmD'... |
Finland | 2008 | |
| Lumsk Lumsk Lumsk is a folk metal band from Trondheim, Norway. It combines traditional Norwegian folk music and folklore with rock, progressive rock and metal... |
Norway | 1999 | |
| Korpiklaani Korpiklaani Korpiklaani is a folk metal band from Finland who were formerly known as Shaman.-Biography:While other folk metal bands began with metal before adding folk music, Korpiklaani started with folk music before turning metal... |
Finland | 2003 (1993) | Formerly known as Shaman. |
| Letzte Instanz Letzte Instanz Letzte Instanz, founded in Dresden, Germany in 1996, is a German metal band particularly noted for their use of the violin and cello. The founding members included Hörbi, Tin Whistle, Muttis Stolz, Kaspar Wichman, Holly D. and Markus G-Punkt. Benni Cellini and Robin Sohn entered the group a year... |
Germany | 1996 | Medieval metal |
| Lyriel Lyriel Lyriel are a German Folk metal band who formed in autumn of 2003 in Gummersbach.-History:The band's lineup remained unchanged since their formation until 2008... |
Germany | 2003 | |
| Mael Mórdha Mael Mórdha Mael Mórdha is a doom metal band from Dublin, Ireland. Its name can also be written in traditional Irish typography, as Mael Mórḋa. The band's music melds doom metal with Irish folk music to create what has been referred to as "Gaelic doom metal".-History:... |
Ireland | 1998 | Celtic metal Celtic metal Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander... |
| Mägo de Oz Mägo de Oz Mägo de Oz is a Spanish folk/heavy metal band from Begoña, Madrid formed in mid-1988 by drummer Txus di Fellatio. In 1992, the band were finalists in the Villa de Madrid contest. Then, they went onto achieve great success in Spain, and in 1995, were declared Revolution Rock Band... |
Spain | 1989 | |
| Metsatöll Metsatöll Metsatöll is an Estonian folk metal band.The name "Metsatöll" is an ancient Estonian euphemism for wolf, which is reflected in the harshness of their lyrics... |
Estonia | 1998 | |
| Midnattsol Midnattsol Midnattsol is a Symphonic metal band from Germany and Norway, The band was formed in 2002 by singer Carmen Elise Espenæs and guitarist Christian Hector.- History :... |
Germany | 2003 | |
| Moonsorrow Moonsorrow Moonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. Musically, the band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal in their sound... |
Finland | 1995 | |
| Moonspell Moonspell Moonspell is a Portuguese gothic metal band from Brandoa, Lisbon. Formed in 1992, the group released their first EP Under the Moonspell in 1994, a year before the release of their first album Wolfheart... |
Portugal | 1992 | On their early EPs |
| Northern Oak Northern Oak (band) Northern Oak is a "progressive" "folk metal" "band" from Sheffield, England. The band formed in 2006 and their debut album, Tales From Rivelin came out in 2008... |
England | 2006 | |
| Primordial Primordial (band) Primordial is an extreme metal band from Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland. It was formed in 1987 by Pól MacAmlaigh and Ciarán MacUiliam . Their sound melds black metal with Irish folk music.-Biography:... |
Ireland | 1991 | Celtic metal Celtic metal Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander... |
| Saltatio Mortis Saltatio Mortis Saltatio Mortis is a German medieval metal group. They are recognized as one of the leading bands of the genre. The latin name means "dance of death".- Studio albums :* 2001: Tavernakel* 2002: Das zweite Gesicht... |
Germany | 2000 | Medieval metal |
| Schandmaul Schandmaul Schandmaul is a German medieval folk rock band from the vicinity of Munich.As well as using modern instruments like the bass or electric guitar, the band utilizes instruments typically used in Medieval folk songs, such as the bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy or shawm, to produce their trademark folk rock... |
Germany | 1998 | Medieval metal |
| Schattentantz Schattentantz Schattentantz is a medieval metal band from Germany, formed in 1999. Christoph Heyd joined in 2005 as replacement for Aaron Awerkin.-Current members:*Christoph Heyd - Vocals, Percussion, Guitars*Lasse Lehmann - Cello, Shawm, Vocals... |
Germany | 1999 | Medieval metal |
| Skyclad Skyclad (band) Skyclad are a British heavy metal band with heavy folk influences in their music. They are considered one of the pioneers of folk metal. The etymology behind the term "skyclad" comes from a pagan/wiccan term for ritual nudity, in which rituals are performed with the participants metaphorically clad... |
England | 1990 | |
| Skyforger Skyforger Skyforger is a heavy metal band from Latvia which was formed in 1995 out of the remains of doom metal band Grindmaster Dead. Most of their songs are about pagan gods and warfare; they also play traditional Latvian folk songs and metal covers. Although Skyforger is known for their folk metal, their... |
Latvia | 1995 | |
| Storm | Norway | 1994 | Viking metal Viking metal Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age... |
| Subway to Sally Subway to Sally Subway to Sally was founded in Potsdam, Germany, in the early 1990s. It is a rock band with clear folk and medieval influences, later also with gothic and metal elements added to the mix... |
Germany | 1992 | Medieval metal |
| Suidakra Suidakra SuidAkrA is a melodic death metal band from Germany with Celtic folk influences. During their fourteen-year career, they have performed over 200 live shows for several European and Russian tours, as well as a North American tour... |
Germany | 1994 | Celtic metal Celtic metal Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander... |
| Summoning Summoning (band) Summoning is an Austrian black metal band. They are known in part due to their extensive use of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology as lyrical subject.-Biography:... |
Austria | 1993 | |
| Svartsot Svartsot Svartsot is a Danish folk metal band formed in 2005 in Randers. Svartsot blend death and black metal with contemporary metal-styles and Nordic folk music.-History:On December 17, 2008, Michael Lundquist Andersen, Niels Thøgersen, Claus B... |
Denmark | 2005 | |
| Tanzwut Tanzwut Tanzwut is a German Neue Deutsche Härte and medieval metal band which originated as a sideproject of Corvus Corax-members.- History :Their name is the German term for "dancing mania", but is directly translated with "dance-rage". Tanzwut are known for their heavy use of bagpipes, an unusual... |
Germany | 1998 | Medieval metal |
| The Lord Weird Slough Feg The Lord Weird Slough Feg Slough Feg is a Heavy Metal band that formed in Pennsylvania in the early 1990s and is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Taking their name from the Celtic folklore-influenced comic Sláine, the band released their self-titled debut album in 1996... |
USA | 1990 | |
| Thyrfing Thyrfing Thyrfing is a viking metal band from Sweden. The band is named after the royal sword Tyrfing from Norse mythology.-History:Thyrfing was formed in 1995 by Patrik Lindgren , Jocke Kristensson , Peter Löf and Kimmy Sjölund... |
Sweden | 1995 | |
| Tuatha de Danann Tuatha de Danann (band) Tuatha de Danann is a Brazilian Celtic metal band from Varginha, Minas Gerais; known for the merryful celtic dance rhythms, flute melodies, Celtic mythology-inspired lyrics and the original jesting tones such as gnome-choirs, etc... |
Brazil | 1995 | Celtic metal Celtic metal Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander... |
| Tumulus Tumulus (band) Tumulus is progressive folk metal band from Yaroslavl, Russia. They were formed from the ashes of cult doom metal/viking metal band Scald, after the death of Scald's frontman Agyl... |
Russia | 1997 | |
| Turisas Turisas Turisas is a Finnish folk metal band from Hämeenlinna. It was founded in 1997 by Mathias Nygård and Jussi Wickström and named after an ancient Finnish God of war.... |
Finland | 1997 | |
| Týr Týr (band) Týr, , is a folk metal band from the Faroe Islands. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around old Nordic lore, mythology, and history, taking their name from a Norse god of war. They signed a worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records in early 2006, while signed to the Faroese record... |
Faroe Islands | 1998 | Viking metal Viking metal Viking metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its galloping pace, keyboard-rich anthemic sound, bleakness and dramatic emphasis on lyrical themes of Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age... |
| Ulytau Ulytau Ulytau , literally meaning "the holy mountain", is a popular instrumental folk metal trio from Kazakhstan. Their music combines the sound of the violin and electric guitar with the dombra, a traditional two stringed instrument from their country.-Biography:... |
Kazakhstan | 2001 | Folk metal Folk metal Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music... |
| Vintersorg Vintersorg Vintersorg is a Swedish band from Skellefteå, formed in 1994 under the name Vargatron . Musically, Vintersorg has covered a wide number of heavy metal genres; while the band is mostly rooted in extreme metal styles, particularly black metal and Viking/folk metal, it has also expanded into... |
Sweden | 1994 | |
| Waylander Waylander (band) Waylander is a Northern Irish band influential in the realms of Celtic folk metal. Formed in 1993, the band blends traditional Irish folk with 1990s heavy metal.-Biography:... |
Northern Ireland | 1993 | Celtic metal Celtic metal Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal music and Celtic music. The early pioneers of the genre were the three Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander... |
| Windir Windir Windir was a black metal band from Sogndal, Norway. The band combined black metal with folk music and mythology. The band was formed in 1994 and released its debut album in 1997... |
Norway | 1994 | |
| Wintersun Wintersun Wintersun is an extreme metal band from Helsinki, Finland.Wintersun was originally created by guitarist Jari Mäenpää as a side project to folk metal band Ensiferum, for whom he was lead singer and guitarist. In 2003, Mäenpää began culling together songs that he'd been working on since 1995. These... |
Finland | 2004 | |
| Wuthering Heights Wuthering Heights (band) Wuthering Heights is a Danish heavy metal band, with a somewhat eclectic musical style which falls in somewhere between progressive, folk, and power metal.- Biography :... |
Denmark | 1997 |
See also
- Folk metalFolk metalFolk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. As the name suggests, the genre is a fusion of heavy metal with traditional folk music...
- List of Viking metal bands
- List of heavy metal bands
- Heavy metal subgenresHeavy metal subgenresA number of heavy metal genres have developed since the emergence of heavy metal during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At times heavy metal genres may overlap or are difficult to distinguish, but they can be identified by a number of traits...