Discover the Best Folk Metal Music

Discover the best folk metal music from around the world. From Finland to Portugal, metalheads have created a subgenre that is sure to get your head banging.

Introduction to Folk Metal

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 (with or without metal instrumentation). It also sometimes features soft instrumentation inspired by folk rock.

Defining Folk Metal

Folk metal is a unique genre that combines traditional heavy metal with elements of folk music. This combination results in a sound that is both aggressive and melodic, with a strong emphasis on rhythm. Folk metal bands often use traditional instruments in their music, such as acoustic guitars, mandolins, and violins. The lyrics of folk metal songs are often based on mythology or folklore, and the genre has a strong connection to paganism and nature.

Folk metal originated in the early 1990s in Finland, with the band Ensiferum. Since then, the genre has grown in popularity, and there are now folk metal bands all over the world. Some of the most popular folk metal bands include Korpiklaani, Finntroll, Midnattsol, Eluveitie, Athrillodes, and Arkona.

If you’re looking for something new to listen to, give folk metal a try! You might be surprised by how much you enjoy it.

The History of Folk Metal

Folk metal is a genre of heavy metal music that developed in the 1990s. It is characterized by the use of folk instrumentation and melodies, with lyrics often focusing on fantasy, mythology, and traditionalism.

The genre emerged as a fusion of heavy metal and folk music, with bands such as Skyclad and Cruachan creating early examples of the style. In the following decade, other bands such as Finntroll, Ensiferum, Korpiklaani, and Turisas began to achieve mainstream success with their brand of folk metal.

The music of folk metal is typically characterized by its fast tempo and aggressive nature. However, many folk metal bands also include elements of slower-paced music and melodic singing in their repertoire. This makes for a varied and dynamic listening experience that can be both powerful and beautiful.

If you’re looking to discover the best of what folk metal has to offer, check out our list of essential albums below.

The Best Folk Metal Bands

Ensiferum

Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. The band was formed in 1995 by singer and guitarist Jari Mäenpää, and drummer Markus Toivonen. They were later joined by bassist Sami Hinkka, and guitarist Teemu Juutilainen. The band released their debut album, Iron, in 1996. This was followed by the albums Victory Songs (2007), From Afar (2009), Unsung Heroes (2012), and One Man Army (2015).

Ensiferum’s music combines elements of folk music and metal music. Their lyrics often deal with fantasy and paganism. The band has toured Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. They have also performed at several music festivals, including Wacken Open Air, Bloodstock Open Air, and Metalcamp.

Finntroll

Finntroll is a Finnish folk metal band from Helsinki. They combine elements of black metal and death metal with folk music, and their lyrics are mostly in Swedish. The band was formed in 1997 by Teemu Raimoranta, who died the following year.

The band released their debut album, Midnattens widunder, in 1999. The album was a surprise hit, reaching number 33 on the Finnish album chart. Midnattens widunder was followed by Visor och vildmark in 2001 and Nifelvind in 2010.

Finntroll’s fourth album, Blodsvept, was released in 2013 and debuted at number one on the Finnish album chart. The band’s fifth album, Vredesvävd, was released in 2016.

Finntroll is considered one of the pioneers of folk metal, and their music has inspired many other bands in the genre.

Korpiklaani

Korpiklaani is a Finnish folk metal band from Lahti. The band was originally formed in 1993 as a “true metal” band under the name of Shamaani Duo, and they released their first demo album, Shaman Spirit, in 1995. In 2001, they changed their name to Korpiklaani and released their first full-length album, Voice of Wilderness.

Since then, Korpiklaani has released eight studio albums, two live albums, one EP, and one DVD. Their music is characterized by its use of traditional Finnish instruments (e.g., the kantele and jouhikko) in addition to more standard rock/metal instruments, and by their use of Finnish folk music influences. Korpiklaani is also notable for their use of humor in both their music and stage presence; many of their songs are light-hearted and humorous, and the band members often dress up in traditional Finnish clothing on stage.

Korpiklaani is one of the most popular folk metal bands worldwide, and they have been nominated for several awards (including a Grammy) over the course of their career. If you’re looking for some great folk metal music, definitely check out Korpiklaani!

The Best Folk Metal Songs

Folk metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that developed in Europe during the 1990s. It combines the heaviness of metal with the traditional sounds of folk music. These are the best folk metal songs of all time.

“In the Forest of My Heart” by Ensiferum

“In the Forest of My Heart” is a folk metal song by Finnish band Ensiferum. The song was released as a single in 2013, and is included on the band’s sixth studio album, One Man Army.

The song is an uptempo, folk-influenced metal track with roared vocals and heavy guitar riffing. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is lost in the forest of his heart, and must find his way back out.

Ensiferum are one of the leading bands in the folk metal genre, and “In the Forest of My Heart” is one of their best-known and most popular songs. If you’re a fan of folk metal, or just looking for a great metal song to add to your collection, this is one you won’t want to miss.

“Trollhammaren” by Finntroll

“Trollhammaren” is a song by Finnish metal band Finntroll. It was released as the lead single from their third studio album, Nifelvind, in 2010. The song peaked at number 3 on the Finnish singles chart and received positive reviews from music critics.

“Trollhammaren” is an uptempo folk metal song with elements of black metal and death metal. The song features growled vocals, heavy guitar riffs, and pounding drums. The lyrics tell the story of a troll who is trying to return to his home in the forest after being banished by the humans.

The song was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

“Kuningas” by Korpiklaani

“Kuningas” or “The King” is a song by the Finnish folk metal band Korpiklaani. It was released as the lead single from their eighth studio album, Karkelo, in 2007. The song is about the life of a king and his many conquests. It is an upbeat, traditional-sounding folk metal song with heavy use of accordion and violin. The video for the song features the band members dressed as medieval characters, including a king, a queen, and jesters.

The Future of Folk Metal

Folk metal is a genre of metal music that combines elements of folk music and heavy metal. It is characterized by the use of folk instruments and, to a lesser extent, traditional singing styles (often with growled or screamed vocals). It typically features ballads, melodies, and utilizes traditional instruments such as the flute, accordion, and bagpipes.

The Rise of Folk Metal in the Mainstream

Folk metal is a genre of music that has been on the rise in recent years. Combining traditional metal with folk elements, the genre has found a home among fans of both metal and folk music.

While folk metal is still considered a niche genre, it has begun to make inroads into the mainstream. One of the most notable examples is the band Eluveitie, whose album Origins reached number one on the Swiss charts and number two on the German charts.

Folk metal has also been gaining traction in North America. The Canadian band Tyranticon released an album in 2016 that reached number two on the iTunes metal charts. The American band Sauron also released an album in 2016 that was well-received by fans and critics alike.

With more and more bands beginning to explore the possibilities of combining metal with folk elements, it seems likely that folk metal will continue to grow in popularity in the years to come.

The popularity of Folk Metal Festivals

In recent years, there has been a surge in popularity for folk metal festivals around the world. This is likely due to the fact that folk metal is one of the most accessible and inclusive genres of metal music. Folk metal festivals provide a space for fans of all ages and backgrounds to come together and enjoy a wide variety of music.

Folk metal festivals usually feature a mix of local and international bands, as well as a variety of other attractions such as food and drink vendors, stalls selling merchandise, and activities for children. This makes them the perfect event for families and friends to enjoy together.

The future of folk metal looks bright, with more and more people discovering the joys of this unique genre of music. With its combination of catchy melodies, heavy riffs, and often upbeat tempos, it is easy to see why folk metal is becoming increasingly popular all over the world.