Folk Metal

Istapp – The Insidious Star Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 25, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Trollzorn Records, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 148 comments

“‘You guys remember Istapp?’ asked the Head Honcho Himself, as he shared the news of an upcoming release. Not to mention “I väntan på den absoluta nollpunkten,” from debut record Blekinge. A song from a record as novel as any the black/folk/Viking metal world has ever known. So much so that you’d guess these Swedes have been around since the beginning of time. Perhaps as a black metal outfit that morphed into a melodic, folky one? Or a group that invented the subgenre, releasing their first album before the almighty Bathory and his Viking trilogy? But, it turns out, the untouchable Blekinge is shy of only nine years of age.” Star power.

Atlas Pain – Tales of a Pathfinder Review

By El Cuervo on April 23, 2019 in 2019, Folk Metal, Italian Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, Reviews, Scarlet Records, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 62 comments

“2017 brought with it many things. Chief among them was the debut record by Italy’s Atlas Pain. Featuring speedy, bombastic folk metal, it was enjoyable and stuck with me more than its 3.0 may suggest. The passing of two years has brought a sophomore release called Tales of a Pathfinder at a make-or-break stage in any band’s career. Atlas Pain have approached this challenge with all the bright colors, zany attitude and symphonic trimmings which I enjoyed on the first go around and I’m delighted to write that their Italian charm has not been lost.” Can’t let it go.

Eluveitie – Ategnatos Review

By Dr. Wvrm on April 5, 2019 in 2019, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Nuclear Blast, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 149 comments

“Taking in Eluveitie’s closing performance on 70K Tons with sentynel, I recognized something: Eluveitie is popular. Not like entry-level popular, not poser popular (well, maybe), but actually popular. The boat’s Mosh Pit Residentia showed up in spades for that set, but with the floor so choked with the trve and weeb alike, group activities like conga lines and dance parties sprung up instead. Everyone knew the songs—hell, I knew the songs. The nonet put on too great a show to discount, far better than other bias-confirming trainwrecks I witnessed that weekend. Maybe, just maybe, I’ve written Eluveitie and Ategnatos off too soon.” Then again…

Týr – Hel Review

By Steel Druhm on March 6, 2019 in 2019, Faroese Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal Blade, Power Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Power Metal, 158 comments

“At the stony, windswept crossroads of Viking, folk, power and traditional metal sits Týr on a cottonwood throne bedecked with fishing nets and boat hooks. Hailing from the tiny Faroe Islands that sit between Iceland and Norway, these mysterious descendants of Vikings have impressed with their distinctive brand of genre hopping since their sophomore album Eric the Red came ashore in 2003. They’ve been uncomfortably quiet since 2013s outstanding Valkyrja, making Hel among my most anticipated releases of 2019.” Hel-o, is it me you’re looking for?

Trollfest – Norwegian Fairytales Review

By Angry Metal Guy on February 10, 2019 in 2019, Folk Metal, NoiseArt Records, Folk Metal, 57 comments

“We’ve all heard heavy metal criticized for taking itself too seriously or, even more common, being so angry! I enjoy music that tackles tough topics like war, death, history and literature as much as the next angry metal guy, but sometimes it’s important to shake things up and take the piss. Behold Trollfest, a Balkan-folk inspired metal band known for their made-up troll language (a combination of German and Norwegian) who are about to drop their eighth full-length album, Norwegian Fairytales, on NoiseArt Records. They’re a metal band at heart, but if these nutcases are ever accused of taking anything too seriously or being too angry, I’ll eat my lederhosen.” Huh, apparently this n00b owns Lederhosen. Now we ALL know!

Saor – Forgotten Paths Review

By El Cuervo on February 7, 2019 in 2019, Avantgarde Music, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Reviews, Scottish Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 254 comments

“Cometh the new year, cometh the folksy, atmospheric black metal proclaiming itself as the trvest example of native culture in heavy metal. Unlike most of the talentless hacks wielding an electric guitar, penny whistle, and swastika flag who operate out of their mothers’ houses, Saor can legitimately boast some of the greatest music in this genre and represent one of the best new metal bands from the 2010s.” Saor feelings.

Wolfhorde – Hounds of Perdition Review

By Lord Doom on January 18, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Inverse Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 72 comments

“Taking the leap from trolling in the comments section to writing serious reviews made me realize how little I really know about an increasingly complex metal genre. Perhaps this is endemic of an ever more experimental metal scene where genre-spanning efforts are becoming more common and reviewers throw out increasingly long lists of sub-sub-categorizations. Perhaps I’m young and lack the knowledge base of my elders. Perhaps there is just more music around these days. Whatever the case, Wolfhorde have let the dogs out with the genre hopping Hounds of Perdition, but is this sophomore effort about to get Old Yellered by yours truly?” Blackened dogs.

Rauhnåcht – Unterm Gipfelthron Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 10, 2019 in 2018, Austrian Metal, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Folk Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 49 comments

“Shit, there’re still albums coming out in 2018? Good ones, too? Yet, with my top ten already complete, it’s easy to write off December. But Madam X‘s watchful eye doesn’t sleep. And thank your lucky stars for that. Because we would have walked right past Rauhnåcht’s newest release, Unterm Gipfelthron.” Nearly missed.

Silent Stream of Godless Elegy – Smutnice [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Kenstrosity on December 16, 2018 in 2018, Czech Metal, Doom Metal, Folk Metal, Redblack Productions, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Doom Metal, Folk Metal, 33 comments

“Those of you who have been following Angry Metal Guy’s Emporium of Curiosities since its inception may recognize this folk-doom metal band: Silent Stream of Godless Elegy. If you remember, His Overlordiness’ criticisms of their 2011 record, Návaz, regarded in no small part its lack of x-factor. While I only just discovered Silent Stream of Godless Elegy this year, I went back to hear their older records and I would agree; they lacked that intangible quality. Smutnice, however, resonates with me so completely I fear for the structural integrity of my bones.” Everflowing Silent Streams.

Thrawsunblat – Great Brunswick Forest Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 25, 2018 in 2018, Canadian Metal, Folk Metal, Ignifera Records, Reviews, Folk Metal, 88 comments

“Thrawsunblat’s music is some of the closest stuff we have to Canadiana (which my word processor says isn’t a real word) for metalheads, and I’m always thankful when they decide to put out new stuff. Main man Joel Violette played on Woods of Ypres’ Woods V, one of my favorite records of all time, which makes me respect his musical acumen even more. For those who aren’t Canadian and couldn’t care less about Woods of Ypres, Thrawsunblat is interesting because they’re hard to predict.” Loose Canadian.