Norwegian Folk Metal (and Other Sub-Metals)

[jaques]

I was pretty skeptical when I heard there was a kind of music called "Folk Metal," but apparently it's pretty cool.

Here's a band called Lumsk, from their album Troll. It's available on Amazon.com for almost 25 bucks (import), but you can get it on iTunes for less than $8.

Some of the songs are purely melodic, while others are very metal. I couldn't find any of the harder ones from Troll to link to, but if you like the one I linked, it's worth your while to dig around on Youtube and listen to some of the other stuff.

The singer is amazing. Not too many guitar solos, but they make do with the occasional screeching violin.

[that guy]

Ehhh. It's no Nightwish, Within Temptation, or Lunatica. Thanks anyway though. Always worth a listen.

[Billtog]

I love folk metal!

[yagyuninja]

Wow, that's pretty cool. Folk metal sounds right up my alley.

[Euryon]

Elvenking from Italy make more accessible folk metal (their first album, Heathenreel, at least).

I like Finntroll, too. More like Polka metal though.

[atmospro]

Lumsk is a band I had not heard before and they very good. Female voice very sweet.

Euryon mentioned a couple of the big names in folk metal the other big 2 are Skyclad and Waylander.

My personal favorites are Korpiklaani, Midnattsol and Vintersorg. Canadian's Verbal Deception are an interesting combination of Celtic, gyp.sy folk and power metal. Often compared to Finnntroll and Running Wild.

[Euryon]

Ireland have Cruachan (are they still around, no idea). Their cover of "Ride On" is how I got into them.

As for Skyclad... argh... I *hate* their frontman, Martin. When I went to bloodstock 2001 or 2002 (cant remember which), Elvenking were giving their first UK date, but Damna had just left the band. Martin "subbed" for them, but instead of learning the words to ONE EK song, the band played all Skyclad stuff! He even pissed off Bal Sagoth (who are possibly the greatest metal band ever, really). What a git.

[soberman]

"...isn't it good norwegian METAL(?)

doesn't quite have the right ring to it...

_________________
now playing: http://www.wyep.org

[atmospro]

Originally Posted by Euryon

He even pissed off Bal Sagoth (who are possibly the greatest metal band ever, really). What a git.

I don't know about greatest but they are one very strange and unique outfit.

[Ugly-Caco]

Is Luca Turuli (don't know correct spelling) folk metal? Because the first time I saw the "Ancient Forest of Elves" video I laughed my arse off.

Probably I wouldve loved folk metal if metal extremist a-h*les here weren't listening to it.

[Euryon]

Luca Turelli and Rhapsody are self entitled Hollywood Metal. Theyre very talented musicians but the music must be taken tongue in cheek or not at all! Some is pretty good. There's a great Rhapsody video with a bunch of LARPers fighting and quaffing... I'll try and find it on youtube.

[John Smith]

Not folk metal, but here is a pretty good metal band from Norway.

Wigwam

http://www.wigwam.no/

A friend of mine that lives in Norway sent me the CD. It's pretty sweet.

He drove the band around in his restored 1970 Buick Electra convertible. Old American cars are huge in Norway.