Folk/Viking/Pagan Metal, anybody?

Anyone else here who likes bands such as Korpiklaani, Turisas, Ensiferum, Eluveitie, Svartsot etc etc ??

I have a bit of a big obsession with this sub-genre of Music at the moment; I really like how 'Musical' it is. The bands mentioned above use instruments and techniques that aren't that typical of the Metal or Rock genres.

I hope I'm not the only one :/

cant say i have heard of them but its great to expose new unheard of groups here and to get reviews of them on the site.

I think my only problem with these bands is I find it hard to take them seriously... Some of them have some really great music but their image is often a little daft! XD

I was waiting, Nizzi.

I'm just into Ensiferum, Wintersun, (the old) Elvenking, and Korpiklaani.

^ xD

To Starom, I don't think many of the bands take themselves too seriously either. It's a sort of tounge-in-cheek thing, I think. Daft image? Are you possibly meaning Turisas there?

I think the image adds more enjoyment and atmosphere to the live shows. Many people dress up, you often look out of place if you don't, and I think it's a much more friendly atmosphere, in my experience. I hope I'm making sense.

The music means more to me than the image or lyrics though. I love the different timbre and effects from the different instruments used. With just guitars and drums and vocals, there's only so much you can do with each instrument and lots of bands sound too similiar.
I usually DESPISE the violin, but in bands like these I can love it. There's instruments used that come from the band's home countries that I would of never heard of until listening to them.
I also like how melodic and dance-y the music is

Whoops, I'm rambling.

XD I know what you mean about them being more unique - I certainly can't falter that! And yes, I do find Turisas a little over the top XD

Lyrics wise, though, I do find these bands a little lacking... As you said, it's tongue in cheek and often quite witty, but some of lyrics (namely those of Korpiklaani) do annoy me a little... XD

Althogh as I said, I do often love the musicianship of these bands! ^^ Particularly bands such as Finntroll, Tyr, Eluveitie and Ensiferum

Now that I'm thinking of this...

Doesn't Jari from Wintersun/formerly of Ensiferum have TB?

Starom wrote:

XD I know what you mean about them being more unique - I certainly can't falter that! And yes, I do find Turisas a little over the top XD

Lyrics wise, though, I do find these bands a little lacking... As you said, it's tongue in cheek and often quite witty, but some of lyrics (namely those of Korpiklaani) do annoy me a little... XD

Althogh as I said, I do often love the musicianship of these bands! ^^ Particularly bands such as Finntroll, Tyr, Eluveitie and Ensiferum

I guess Turisas do wear more 'warpaint' than the other bands, and it's a bit of a silly thing. However it looks very good on them

"Happy little, happy little, happy little boozer!!" Like that? I see what you mean, also with 'Let's Drink'. Although I find them fun.

Ooh, Finntroll! They're the band that got me into this sub-genre of Music! I hated them at first, but then they grew on me until I was listening to them non-stop. If I owned an album by Finntroll, and didn't think Warlord of Turisas' voice incredibly sexy, I'd probably like them more than Turisas

To Buckethead, I have no idea =S. Google it?

well, i dont know any of those bands, but i consider dropkick murphys as a rock band, with a folk influences.

^ Ooh, do you have a link to a MySpace or Last.fm site?

I like non-Metal bands with Folk influences, such as Gogol Bordello and Kultur Shock, for the same reasons as I mentioned in my previous posts

Check out this video of Turisas... look what the drummer does at 1:32
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w

YES! Eluveitie is the shit. I also like Folkearth, Korpiklaani, and Cruachan. I cant name more of the top of my head but I'm sure I've heard more