Blackened Folk Metal

Myrkur – Spine Review

By Maddog on October 27, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk, Folk Metal, Rock, 83 comments

“Myrkur apologists and her detractors both have a point. Her 2015 debut M succeeded as folky black metal, but aped predecessors like Ulver’s Bergtatt (1995). Two years later, Mareridt established a unique voice for Myrkur, but suffered from inconsistency. 2020’s Folkesange abandoned metal in favor of acoustic folk. A resounding success and an easy 4.5, Folkesange thrived on Amalie Bruun’s vocal melodies and her knack for arrangement. Its highly anticipated successor Spine resurrects Myrkur’s black metal roots amidst dreamy pop and mid-paced rock.” Crouching pop star, Myrkuring dragon.

At the Altar of the Horned God – Heart of Silence Review

By Thus Spoke on February 27, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 28 comments

“There’s a reason humans have worshipped nature throughout history. The natural world has an allure and a power that many can appreciate, whether or not they attribute divinity to it. At the Altar of the Horned God takes the more worshipful tone, conducting their second rite of reverence through deeply atmospheric, folk-tinged, experimental black metal.” Horns up.

Fredlös – Fredlös Review

By Maddog on February 14, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Folk, Folk Metal, 16 comments

“The medieval hellscape on Fredlös’ cover caught my eye at once. The scene would be peaceful and pastoral, if not for the gruesome executions, the demon, and the burning buildings. Then I noticed the dancing skeletons, the shallow graves, the corpses on the border, the apocalyptic background, and the skull and crossbones; there isn’t a glimmer of hope anywhere. Intrigued, I dug deeper. Fredlös is a side project of Entombed’s Alex Hellid, and the band’s debut attempts to narrate the late Middle Ages with a mix of folk elements and metal. The music matches the cover art to a T.” The dark rages.

Hetman – Black Heart Review

By Thus Spoke on December 5, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 6 comments

“The bucket of solo black metal(-adjacent) projects is seemingly bottomless. Hetman—or alternatively Getman as the two transliterations are interchangeable—were an unknown quantity to me until now. The solo project from Cerberus of equally underground black/death project Demonium, with ex-Demonium member Storm providing session drums, Hetman’s black metal de choix is noteworthy in at least one respect. Rather than opting for an atmospheric, raw, or electronica-fused approach, they favor the folky variety.” Folking the darkness.

Finntroll – Vredesvävd Review

By Dr. Wvrm on September 18, 2020 in Reviews, 67 comments

“Finntroll’s role in the development of modern folk metal cannot be understated. Re-visiting classics like Jakens tid and Nattfödd often leads me to wonder how these guys managed to rip off my favorite folk albums before they were written. The unabashed and upfront nature of their folk qualities changed the game. That said, it’s amazing that Finntroll are still relevant. 21 years into the game, the newer blood in the genre reasonably should have surpassed them by now.” Troll down memory lane.

Angry Metal Primer – Finntroll

By Dr. Wvrm on September 13, 2020 in Angry Metal Primer, 17 comments

One of the finest in folks is finally back, and they’ve brought their tools with them.

Obsequiae – The Palms of Sorrowed Kings Review

By Saunders on November 21, 2019 in 20 Buck Spin, 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 66 comments

“Back in 2015 I was taken off guard and enchanted by the superb sophomore album from Obsequiae, entitled Aria of Vernal Tombs, which marked a strong improvement over their impressive debut. Despite operating a bit outside my regular wheelhouse, the album’s raw blend of folky and medieval melodic black metal struck a chord that left me gobsmacked, gushing over the album’s elegant melodies, accomplished song-writing and earthy tones. Well finally the band have awoken from their slumber, returning to the ye olden days with another taut yet epic collection of melodic black metal tunes on their long awaited third album, The Palms of Sorrowed Kings.” Royal tidings.

Vorna – Sateet palata saavat Review

By Master of Muppets on September 23, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Lifeforce Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 45 comments

“With the annual pilgrimage to dead leaves and perpetual darkness underway, an appropriate soundtrack is imperative to survival; I need something that will simultaneously sonically augment the surrounding scenery as well as shield me from its scheduled sadness, something which will bring this death to life and save me from it. Such a savior has arrived in the form of Vorna’s Sateet palata saavat, and though I am loathe to share such splendor with the likes ov you, the urge to babble about said greatness has temporarily overtaken my selfish recalcitrance: you’re welcome, yo.” The autumn wind smells like Muppet.

Syn Ze Şase Tri – Stăpîn Peste Stăpîni Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 27, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Code666 Records, Folk Metal, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 6 comments

“Syn Ze Şase Tri is a Romanian band hailing from from—no joke—Transylvania, and whose material I had the pure luck to discover by my naïve dedication to trying to review everything that ever landed in my mailbox back in the early days. The band’s first record, Între două lumi, was the victim of brutal mastering job which rendered the mp3s I received in the promotional material unlistenable. ” Will these Carpathian creepers have the aural bite to win AMG’s love this time around?