List of Viking metal bands
This is a list of Viking metal bands. Viking metal is a style of heavy metal music with origins in black metal and Nordic folk music, characterized by a common 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 scholars consider it more of a term than a genre, but it is typically manifested as black metal with influences from Nordic folk music. Some common traits include a slow paced and heavy riffing style, anthemic choruses, use of both clean and harsh vocals, a frequent reliance on folk instrumentation, and, often, the use of keyboards for atmospheric effect. Viking metal developed in the 1980s through the mid-1990s as a rejection of Satanism and the occult, instead embracing the Vikings and paganism as the leaders of opposition to Christianity. It is similar, in lyrics, sound, and thematic imagery, to pagan metal, but pagan metal has a broader mythological focus and utilizes folk instrumentation more extensively. Most Viking metal bands originate from the Nordic countries, and nearly all bands claim that their members descend, directly or indirectly, from Vikings.
Though artists such as Led Zeppelin, Yngwie Malmsteen, Heavy Load, and Manowar had previously dealt with Viking themes, Bathory, from Sweden, is generally credited with pioneering the style with its albums Blood Fire Death (1988) and Hammerheart (1990), which launched a renewed interest in the Viking age among heavy metal musicians. Enslaved, from Norway, followed up on this burgeoning Viking trend with the EP Hordanes Land (1993) and full-length Vikingligr Veldi (1994). Burzum, Emperor, Einherjer, and Helheim, among others, helped further develop the genre in the early through mid-1990s. Through the work of artists such as the German project Falkenbach, Viking metal soon spread from the Nordic countries to other nations with Viking history or an even broader Germanic heritage, and has since influenced musicians across the globe. The death metal bands Unleashed and Amon Amarth, which emerged during the early 1990s, also adopted Viking themes, broadening the style from its primarily black metal origin.
Band | Formed | Origin | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Amon Amarth | 1992 | Sweden | [1][2][3] | |
Ancient Rites | 1988 | Belgium | [4] | |
Ásmegin | 1998 | Norway | [5][6] | |
Bathory | 1983 | Sweden | [7] | |
Borknagar | 1995 | Norway | [8][9] | |
Burzum | 1988 | Norway | [10] | |
Claim the Throne | 2004 | Australia | [11] | |
Darkwoods My Betrothed | 1992 | Finland | [12] | |
Destroy Destroy Destroy | 2003 | United States | [13] | |
Drottnar | 1996 | Norway | [14][15] | |
Einherjer | 1993 | Norway | [2] | |
Elexorien | 2004 | Netherlands | [16] | |
Emperor | 1991 | Norway | [17] | |
Ensiferum | 1995 | Finland | [18] | |
Enslaved | 1991 | Norway | [2][19] | |
Equilibrium | 2001 | Germany | [20][21] | |
Falkenbach | 1989 | Germany | [22][23] | |
Finsterforst | 2004 | Germany | [24] | |
Folkearth | 2003 | International | [25] | |
Forefather | 1997 | England | [26] | |
Glittertind | 2001 | Norway | [27] | |
Grand Magus | 1996 | Sweden | [28] | |
Heidevolk | 2002 | Netherlands | [29] | |
Hel | 1999 | Sweden | [30] | |
Helheim | 1992 | Norway | [31][32] | |
Helrunar | 2001 | Germany | [33] | |
Holy Blood | 1999 | Ukraine | [34] | |
Kampfar | 1994 | Norway | [35] | |
Kivimetsän Druidi | 2002 | Finland | [36] | |
Korpiklaani | 2003 | Finland | [35] | |
Leaves' Eyes | 2003 | Germany/Norway | [37] | |
Lumsk | 1999 | Norway | [38] | |
Månegarm | 1995 | Sweden | [39][40][41] | |
Mithotyn | 1993 | Sweden | [42] | |
Moonsorrow | 1995 | Finland | [43][44] | |
Obscurity | 1997 | Germany | [45] | |
Primordial | 1987 | Ireland | [46] | |
Sabaton | 1999 | Sweden | [47] | |
Skálmöld | 2009 | Iceland | [48] | |
Skeletonwitch | 2003 | United States | [49] | |
Slechtvalk | 1999 | Netherlands | [34][50] | |
Solefald | 1995 | Norway | [51] | |
Storm | 1994 | Norway | [52] | |
Svartsot | 2005 | Denmark | [53][54] | |
The Sword | 2003 | United States | [55] | |
Thyrfing | 1995 | Sweden | [56][57][58][59] | |
Trollech | 1999 | Czech Republic | [60] | |
Turisas | 1997 | Finland | [61][62] | |
Týr | 1998 | Faroe Islands | [63][64] | |
Unleashed | 1989 | Sweden | [1][2][65] | |
Windir | 1994 | Norway | [66] | |
Wolfchant | 2003 | Germany | [67] | |
See also
References
- Freeborn, Robert (June 2010). Anderson, Rick, ed. "A Selective Discography of Scandinavian Heavy Metal Music". Sound Recording Reviews. 66 (4): 840–850.
- Hoad, Catherine (2013). Wilson, Oli; Attfield, Sarah, eds. "'Hold the Heathen Hammer High' - Viking Metal from the Local to the Global". Shifting Sounds: Musical Flow - A Collection of Papers from the 2012 IASPM Australia/New Zealand Conference. Dunedin: International Association for the Study of Popular Music: 62–70. ISBN 9780975774793.
- Kahn-Harris, Keith (2007). Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge. Oxford: Berg Publishers. ISBN 1-84520-399-2.
- Weinstein, Deena (2014). Weston, Donna; Bennett, Andy, eds. "Pagan Metal". Pop Pagans: Paganism and Popular Music. London: Routledge. ISBN 9781317546658.
Notes
- 1 2 Kahn-Harris 2007, pp. 106
- 1 2 3 4 von Helden, Imke (2010). Rosemary Hill and Karl Spracklen, ed. "Scandinavian Metal Attack: The Power of Northern Europe in Extreme Metal" (PDF). Inter-Disciplinary Press: 34. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Amon Amarth interview". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry; Born, R. "Ancient Rites". MusicMight. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ↑ Matthijssens, Vera (April–May 2015). "Asmegin - Arv". Lords of Metal. Horst Vonberg (157). Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ↑ Van Horn, Jr., Ray. "Asmegin - 'Arv'". About.com. IAC. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
- ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Blood Fire Death review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Weinstein, pg. 60.
- ↑ Freeborn 2010, pg. 846.
- ↑ Huey, Steve. "Burzum". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ↑ Giffin, Brian (2002). Encyclopaedia of Australian Heavy Metal. Bendigo: Moonlight Publications. p. 2051. ISBN 978-0-9943206-1-2.
- ↑ Harris, Craig. "Darkwoods My Betrothed". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ↑ Kurosu, Jason (January 9, 2009). "Tennessee metalheads Destroy to the third power". Highlander Newspaper. College Publisher. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
- ↑ Cranson, David (February 1, 2001). "Drottnar - Spiritual Battles". Cross Rhythms Magazine No. 61. Cross Rhythms Radio. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Drottnar". MusicMight. Retrieved 2010-12-07.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Elexorien". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
- ↑ Huey, Steve. "Emperor". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Victory Songs review". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Sanneh, Kelefa (2007-11-08). "On the Road to Spread the Word of Good, Old-Fashioned Evil". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Equilibrium". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "EQUILIBRIUM Confirmed for Germany's UP FROM THE GROUND Festival". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-01-01. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Heralding: The Fireblade review". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "FALKENBACH to Release New Album in November". Blabbermouth.net. 2005-10-02. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Jervis, Marcus. "Finsterforst - Rastlos Review". About.com. IAC. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
- ↑ "FOLKEARTH Preparing to Release 'Father of Victory'". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-02-03. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Forefather". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-04-22.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Glittertind". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Prato, Greg. "Iron Will". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ↑ Zed, Natalie. "Heidevolk - Batavi Review". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ↑ "Hel". MusicMight. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Helheim". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "Viking Metal Band HELHEIM to Perform at Norwegian Kindergarten". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-04-18. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Born, R. "Helrunar". MusicMight. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- 1 2 Beck, Chris. "The Patriot review". HM. Archived from the original on 2012-03-18. Retrieved 2009-11-04. "Compared to their first two albums, The Patriot is slightly heavier and has a stronger Viking metal influence a la Slechtvalk."
- 1 2 Bowar, Chad. "Kvass review". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Hoad 2013, pg. 64.
- ↑ Freeman, Phil. "Njord". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ↑ Born, R. "Lumsk". MusicMight. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Månegarm". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Manegarm". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "MÅNEGARM Signs with REGAIN RECORDS". Blabbermouth.net. 2009-01-16. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Falconer". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Moonsorrow - Viides Luku: Hävitetty review". About.com. Retrieved June 2010. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ "Moonsorrow". About.com. Retrieved June 2010. Check date values in:
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(help) - ↑ Observer (24 December 2010). "Obscurity - Tenkterra". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ↑ Palmerston, Sean (January 26, 2008). "Primordial - To The Nameless Dead". Exclaim!. Ian Danzig. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
- ↑ Gränshagen, Ola. "Sabaton - The art of war". Melodic.net. Pär Winberg and Johan Wippsson. Retrieved May 11, 2015.
- ↑ Zed, Natalie. "Skalmold - Baldur Review". About.com. Retrieved 2012-01-10.
- ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Skeletonwitch". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ↑ Van Pelt, Doug (August 2010). "Top 100 Christian metal albums of all time" (pdf). HM Magazine: 25. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ↑ Taylor, Laura Wiebe (February 27, 2007). "Solefald - Black for Death: An Icelandic Odyssey Part II". Exclaim!. Ian Danzig. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Storm". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "SVARTSOT Seeks New Musicians". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-12-24. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Svartsot". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Kiser, Matt (January–February 2008). "The Sword is Mightier than the Pen". CMJ New Music Monthly. CMJ Network (153): 23. ISSN 1074-6978. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Thyrfing". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Serba, John. "Vansinnesvisor review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Hels Vite review". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "THYRFING: New Album Release Date Announced". Blabbermouth.net. 2008-06-10. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Born, R. "Trollech". MusicMight. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "The Varangian Way review". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ "TURISAS Announces London Headlining Show". Blabbermouth.net. 2007-01-19. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Monger, James Christopher. "Týr". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Eric the Red review". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Hammer Battalion review". About.com. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Sharpe-Young, Garry. "Windir". MusicMight. Retrieved 2009-03-13.
- ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "A Pagan Storm". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 5 March 2012.