Viking metal is a style of heavy metal music characterized by a lyrical and thematic focus on Norse mythology, Norse paganism, and the Viking Age. Viking metal is quite diverse as a musical style, to the point where some consider it more a cross-genre term than a genre, but it is typically seen as black metal with influences from Nordic folk music. Common traits include a slow-paced and heavy riffing style, anthemic choruses, use of both sung and harsh vocals, a reliance on folk instrumentation, and often the use of keyboards for atmospheric effect.
Einherjer is a Viking metal band from Haugesund, Norway, founded in 1993. Some of the band's albums are heavily folk influenced, while others have a more traditional symphonic black metal sound. Their lyrics retell Norse legends, and each of their albums has its own theme. The band split up in early 2004 after releasing the album Blot in December 2003, but later reformed.
Andy LaRocque is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter, and producer, best known as a member of the heavy metal band King Diamond since 1985.
Universal Migrator Part 1: The Dream Sequencer is a progressive rock album released in 2000 by Dutch multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Arjen Lucassen, and is the fourth album of his Ayreon project.
"Blinded by the Light" is a song written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen, which first appeared on his 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. A cover by British rock band Manfred Mann's Earth Band reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States in February 1977 and was also a top ten hit in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Canada.
Gone from Danger is the twenty-third studio album by Joan Baez, released in September 1997. Rather than relying on her own songwriting, Baez instead selected work by younger folk and rock artists to perform. She included Dar Williams' "If I Wrote You", Richard Shindell's "Reunion Hill", and Betty Elders' "Crack in the Mirror", as well as two Sinéad Lohan compositions. Around the time of the album's release, Baez confessed that she no longer found herself able to write songs, and felt more comfortable reverting to her original role, as an interpreter. The one track for which she receives credit, "Lily", was a poem written by Baez, to which Greenberg and Wilson added music.
"Complete Control" is a song by The Clash, released as a 7" single and featured on the U.S. release of their debut album.
Dragons of the North is the first full-length album by the Norwegian Viking metal band Einherjer. The lyrics of the seventh track, "Slaget ved Hafrsfjord" (sic), are taken from Torbjørn Hornklove's 9th-century account of the Battle of Hafrsfjord. The remaining songs have original English language lyrics.
Leve Vikingånden is the first official release by the Norwegian heavy metal band Einherjer, following their 1993 demo Aurora Borealis. It was released on 7 inch vinyl and only 1500 copies were made. Both of its songs have Norwegian language lyrics and were re-recorded for the band's 1997 EP Far Far North. The sleeve features an image of Mjolnir.
Far Far North is a three-song EP released by the band Einherjer in 1997. The final two tracks are re-recorded versions of songs from the band's 1995 EP Leve Vikingånden. Those two songs have Norwegian language lyrics, while the title track has English lyrics.
Blot is the fourth full-length album by the Norwegian Viking metal band Einherjer. It was released on 15 September 2003 by Tabu Recordings.
"Jet" is a song by Paul McCartney and Wings from their third studio album Band on the Run (1973). It was the first British and American single to be released from the album. The song's title was inspired by the name of a pony Paul came across while writing the song on a farm in Scotland.
Thirds is the third studio album by the American rock band James Gang. The album was released in mid 1971, on the label ABC Records. It is the last studio album featuring Joe Walsh. "Walk Away" was released as a single, making the Top 40 on at least one national chart, reaching #51 on the Billboard Hot 100, the best placement of a James Gang single. The album reached Gold status in July 1972.
Frode Glesnes is one of the founders of the Norwegian Viking metal band Einherjer. He started as guitarist/vocalist, but decided to concentrate on the guitar duties. He did the lead vocals on Einherjer's last album, Blot. He started a new band with the other Einherjer members called Battered. He did the lead vocals on their first demo recording, but they chose a new singer. He also had a couple of projects with Einherjer drummer Gerhard Storesund called Angelgrinder and Beelzebub.
Norwegian Native Art is the third full-length album by the Norwegian viking metal band Einherjer. It was released on 11 September 2000 by Native North Records.
Framing Armageddon: Something Wicked Part 1 is the eighth studio album from Iced Earth, released on September 11, 2007. It is part one of two concept albums based on a trilogy of songs from Iced Earth's fifth studio album, Something Wicked This Way Comes. The saga, aptly titled the Something Wicked Saga, tells the fictional history of mankind, from its creation to its destruction. It is the second and final album with vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens. This is also the first album that Schaffer become more involved in playing lead guitars parts.
Ra is the second studio album and third release by Utopia on Bearsville Records, released in 1977. Rundgren planned on releasing the LP in 1976 on his own label "Ethereal Records" as the new 4 piece line up was not signed to Bearsville. Replete with an elaborate $250,000 stage show featuring a 22-foot-tall (6.7 m) pyramid and golden sphinx which took 18 months of prep, Ra was Rundgren's most ambitious live undertaking.
Teatro is the forty-fifth studio album by Willie Nelson, released in September 1998 via Island Records. Filmmaker Wim Wenders produced a documentary feature-length film of the recording sessions and live performances.
Arise: From Ginnungagap to Ragnarök – The History of the Vikings Volume III is a concept album by German heavy metal band Rebellion and the last part of the Viking History trilogy. This album tells the history of the Norse Gods and Norse religion.
Christmas Spirit is a Christmas seasonal release album by Richard Marx, released in October 2012. Five tracks on the album previously appeared on his 2011 release, The Christmas EP. Christmas Spirit reached No. 181 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and No. 21 on the Billboard Top Christmas Albums chart.
