This is a list of folk metal bands. The folk metal genre is a fusion of heavy metal music with folk music. This includes the widespread use of folk instruments [2] and to a lesser extent traditional singing styles. [3]
The music of folk metal is characterised by its diversity with bands known to perform different styles of heavy metal music and folk music. [4] Bands are identified in the list below. [5]
Band | Country | Formed | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Agalloch | United States | 1995 | [6] |
Alestorm | Scotland | 2004 | [7] |
Al-Namrood | Saudi Arabia | 2008 | [8] |
Amorphis | Finland | 1990 | [9] |
Angizia | Austria | 1994 | [10] |
Arandu Arakuaa | Brazil | 2008 | |
Аркона | Russia | 2002 | [11] |
Balkandji | Bulgaria | 1999 | [12] |
Bathory | Sweden | 1983 | [13] |
Battlelore | Finland | 1999 | [14] |
Blackguard | Canada | 2001 | [15] [16] |
Bloodywood | India | 2016 | [17] |
Bucovina | Romania | 2000 | [18] |
Cadacross | Finland | 1997 | [19] |
Cellar Darling | Switzerland | 2016 | |
Chthonic | Taiwan | 1995 | |
Cruachan | Ireland | 1992 | [20] [21] |
Dalriada | Hungary | 1998 | [22] |
Eluveitie | Switzerland | 2002 | [23] |
Elvenking | Italy | 1997 | [24] [25] |
Empyrium | Germany | 1994 | [26] |
Ensiferum | Finland | 1995 | [27] |
Falconer | Sweden | 1999 | [28] |
Falkenbach | Germany | 1989 | [13] |
Finntroll | Finland | 1997 | [29] |
Finsterforst | Germany | 2004 | |
Folkearth | International | 2003 | [30] |
Forefather | England | 1997 | [31] [32] |
Geasa | Ireland | 1994 | [21] |
Glittertind | Norway | 2001 | [33] |
Heidevolk | Netherlands | 2002 | [34] |
Holy Blood | Ukraine | 1999 | [35] |
Huldre | Denmark | 2009 | |
In Extremo | Germany | 1996 | [36] |
Ithilien | Belgium | 2005 | [37] |
Kampfar | Norway | 1994 | [38] |
Kivimetsän Druidi | Finland | 2002 | [39] |
Korpiklaani | Finland | 1993 | [40] [41] |
Leah | Canada | 2011 | [42] |
Letzte Instanz | Germany | 1996 | [43] |
Litvintroll | Belarus | - | |
Lumsk | Norway | 1999 | [44] |
Lyriel | Germany | 2003 | [45] |
Mael Mórdha | Ireland | 1998 | [46] |
Mägo de Oz | Spain | 1989 | [47] |
Metsatöll | Estonia | 1998 | [48] |
Midnattsol | Germany | 2003 | [49] |
Mithotyn | Sweden | 1992 | [28] |
Moonsorrow | Finland | 1995 | [50] |
Myrath | Tunisia | 2001 | [51] |
Nine Treasures | China | 2010 | [52] |
Obtest | Lithuania | 1992 | |
Onmyo-Za | Japan | 1999 | |
Orphaned Land | Israel | 1991 | |
Percival Schuttenbach | Poland | 1999 | |
Saltatio Mortis | Germany | 2000 | [53] |
Saurom | Spain | 1996 | |
Schandmaul | Germany | 1998 | [54] |
Scythia | Canada | 2010 | [55] |
Skálmöld | Iceland | 2009 | [56] |
Skyclad | England | 1990 | [57] [58] |
Skyforger | Latvia | 1995 | [59] |
Slough Feg | United States | 1990 | [60] |
Storm | Norway | 1994 | [61] |
Storm Seeker | Germany | 2013 | |
Subway to Sally | Germany | 1992 | [62] |
Suidakra | Germany | 1994 | [63] |
Summoning | Austria | 1993 | [64] |
Svartsot | Denmark | 2005 | [65] |
Tanzwut | Germany | 1998 | [66] |
Tengger Cavalry | United States | 2010 | |
The HU | Mongolia | 2016 | |
Thyrfing | Sweden | 1995 | [67] |
Trollfest | Norway | 2003 | |
Tuatha de Danann | Brazil | 1995 | [68] |
Tumulus | Russia | 1997 | [69] |
Turisas | Finland | 1997 | [70] |
Týr | Faroe Islands | 1998 | [71] |
Ulver (early) | Norway | 1993 | |
Varang Nord | Latvia | 2014 | [72] |
Vardøger | Norway | 1994 | [73] |
Viikate | Finland | 1996 | |
Vintersorg | Sweden | 1994 | [74] |
Waylander | Northern Ireland | 1993 | [21] [75] |
Windir | Norway | 1994 | [76] |
Wind Rose | Italy | 2009 | |
Wintersun | Finland | 2004 | [77] |
Wolfchant | Germany | 2003 | |
Wytch Hazel | England | 2011 | [78] |
Yasru | Turkey | - | |
Ymyrgar | Tunisia | 2012 | [79] |
Celtic metal is a subgenre of folk metal that developed in the 1990s in Ireland. The genre is a fusion of heavy metal and Celtic rock. The early pioneers of the genre were the Irish bands Cruachan, Primordial and Waylander. The genre has since expanded beyond Irish shores and is known to be performed today by bands from numerous other countries.
Folk metal is a fusion genre of heavy metal music and traditional folk music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. It is characterised by the widespread use of folk instruments and, to a lesser extent, traditional singing styles. It also sometimes features soft instrumentation influenced by folk rock.
Cruachan are an Irish folk metal band from Dublin that have been active since the 1990s. They are recognised as one of the founders of folk metal, and have been acclaimed as having "gone the greatest lengths of anyone in their attempts to expand" the genre. With a specific focus on Celtic music and the use of Celtic mythology in their lyrics, Cruachan's style of folk metal is called Celtic metal.
Gothic metal is a fusion genre combining the aggression of heavy metal with the dark atmospheres of gothic rock. The music of gothic metal is diverse with bands known to adopt the gothic approach to different styles of heavy metal music. The genre originated during the early 1990s in the United Kingdom originally as an outgrowth of death-doom, a fusion of death metal and doom metal. Lyrics are generally dark and introspective with inspiration from gothic fiction as well as personal experiences.
Divine Heresy is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California by founder of Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares and Devolved drummer John Sankey. Although the band's origins trace back to 2002, Divine Heresy was officially formed in 2006. The band currently consists of guitarist Cazares, former Vital Remains drummer and current World Under Blood drummer Tim Yeung, former Nile bassist Joe Payne and vocalist Travis Neal. Tommy "Vext" Cummings was fired from Divine Heresy following an onstage altercation on April 26, 2008. After holding auditions for a new frontman for the band, it was announced on August 14 that The Bereaved vocalist Travis Neal is to fill the position.
Slania is the second studio album by Swiss folk metal band Eluveitie. It is the first one to include Anna Murphy as part of the band. It was released on 15 February 2008 through Nuclear Blast.
Rust in Peace: Live is a live album by American heavy metal band Megadeth, released in 2010 through Shout! Factory in Blu-ray, DVD, and CD formats. The release was in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original release of Rust in Peace and it is the first Megadeth release since 2002's Rude Awakening to feature bassist David Ellefson.