Tag Archives: Folk Metal

Hexenklad – Heathenheart (2021) – Review

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Archaeology says they were in Canada eons ago. We’re talking about the Norse explorers that (apparently) invaded modern-day Canada some 500 years before Columbus struck down South. Those are captivating stories about Vikings trying to settle what is today North America. Only to get in trouble with the Skraelings of a millennium ago and to finally abandon their quest.

This inspired several Canadian bands like SIG:AR:TYR to hop onto that very specific bandwagon (or Viking ship) and start riffing about it. And not only that. The mystical lands of the Canadian outback and its fascinating history motivated a … [...] Click to raid more!

Valfreya – Promised Land (2017) – Review

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I am unsure where this somewhat morbid fascination with the history of marauding Norsemen going Viking comes from. After all, they invaded the homesteads of foreign populations, looted, killed, raped, and enslaved until there was no one left. And then they settled the lands for whatever it was worth. I believe the dwellers of the early English kingdoms would have a few stories to tell.

But here we are, and Viking Metal bands are legion these days. And let’s face it: Metal with all its dark facets is just perfect to describe yonder sea adventures and battles alike. RockmusicRaider already … [...] Click to raid more!

Incursed – Baskavígin (2021) – Review

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Baskavígin, or the killing of the Basque Whalers in 1615. That’s the theme Incursed chose for their newest full-length album of that same name. A sordid tale of over 400 years ago that lead to the death of a score or two of Basque sailors at the hands of Icelandic peasantry.

And indeed, whilst not pretty, the story is perfect to support the band’s Folk Metal urges that mix Death Metal with thrashy faux Viking bouts of Power Metal. To the point that I found yet another beer song on the tracklist. Something that already did not sit … [...] Click to raid more!

Midgard – Tales of Kreia (2020) – Review

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Last updated on 27 December 2020

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Some bands truly like that balancing act – and most are good at it, too. That gallivanting about those gazillions of metal flavors to concoct something of their own making. They don’t necessarily invent anything new, but those records often hit you with a rock-solid metal avalanche.

Records of substance that provide that metallic manna any metalhead craves. The real thing, not watery remnants of a thing called metal long ago.

Often you find those pieces with bands featuring some fantasy theme that can range from Tolkien’s brave warriors to unicorns in … [...] Click to raid more!