In Pagan Days...The Humble Beginnings Of Folk Metal!

Where did Folk Metal come from? Who were the originators? This is, for me at least, an easy question to answer. Of course, the first band to openly call themselves Folk Metal (and to receive much derision and ridicule from the music press at the time) was Skyclad. Their debut, "The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth" was released back in 1991 and wasn't far removed from the Thrash Metal of Sabbat, but with the revolutionary addition of the distinctive sound of the fiddle/violin. Founding member and lyrical pun master, Martin Walkyier was previously the vocalist and song-writer for the band, Sabbat, who were one of the stand-out bands in the strong, but under appreciated British Thrash scene. Sabbat stood out from the crowd due to their clever wordplay and the unique "machine-gun" vocal delivery of Mr. Walkyier. After leaving Sabbat, influenced by the music stylings of Folk Rock band, The Levellers, Martin was inspired to form Skyclad and the rest is (Folk) Metal history. 

Much like Sabbat, Skyclad would fail to make much of an impact on the music scene...although this is often the case when the "industry" and the media can't find a way to pigeon-hole a band, or if the music being created doesn't fit in with the zeitgeist of the time (Grunge and the later end of pure Thrash in this case). Time of course, has proved that what they did could and has become a relatively successful sub-genre of Metal and has attracted a decent fanbase. Although Skyclad themselves have remained relatively obscure, the influence they have had and continue to have on Folk Metal bands is obvious. Quite a legacy.

"Mid-era" Skyclad lineup.

Skyclad - "Sky Beneath My Feet" (1991)

There are, however, those who would point out that Bathory pre-dated Skyclad and that founder Qourthon, should receive the credit for kick-starting the genre!? Well, yes! This is a good argument...in a way. Yes, Quorthon was one of the first to write about pagan themes and he was certainly the artist who had the most success with it and was clearly passionate about his Scandinavian roots and its Viking history. The band also had an "interesting", distinctive, Manowar style image. But I don't think it can be denied that for the most part, Bathory were a Thrash/Black Metal band with Prog tendencies. That is why I don't consider them the first true Folk/Pagan Metal band. In later years Bathory would embark on a less aggressive, more folk-influenced direction, but in this case they were followers, not leaders. 

Early Bathory promo shot

Bathory - "Twilight Of The Gods" (1991)

On reflection though, I think it is definitely Bathory who had the biggest impact on the genre (much as it pains me to type that) as there are countless bands today who use the mythology and history of the Vikings as a base for their lyrical themes (Amon Amarth, Einherjer, Månegarm...the list goes on almost endlessly), and the  scene is much bigger and stronger in Scandinavia. I think that Bathory certainly were and are an important band in the story of Folk Metal but, I think that they had more of an influence on the Black Metal scene, especially bands such as Enslaved and their ilk, rather than on the Folk Metal (musically, at least).

In  the next part I will look at the other early bands to embrace the Pagan/Folk sound and discuss the different musical and cultural directions they took.

Folk Metal...Sorting the wheat from the crap!

As we all know, Folk/Pagan/Viking (Battle, Pirate or whatever daft tag you want to add) Metal briefly became flavour of the weak (sorry, Martin) in the late 2000's. Thankfully the fad has for the most part dropped off and the plastic sword waving bellends have disappeared back in to the shadows - the fans back to their Power Metal record collections and the bands back to the obscurity in which they belong.

However, the Folk metal scene is the real deal, has great depth and variety and has been around for at least 20 years, depending on who you think "invented" Folk metal or even what counts as Folk metal. Any how, I digress. Fear not, sons and daughters of Odin (ahem), I am here to help. Over the the next few weeks I will presenting a number of blogs giving a fairly detailed overview of the scene along with the various sub-genres that come under the frankly pretty vague term "Folk Metal", along with recommendations of the bands within this splintered and often maligned scene, that are worth your time and I may even give you a few names to avoid...although that probably isn't necessary.

I'm be talking about the bands who have been plugging away since the beginning of time (late 80's/early 90's to be fair) and who didn't get a slice of the pie when the scene exploded - Skyclad, Thyrfing, Windir etc, the more recent but often under-appreciated - Svartsot, Kromlek, Månegarm, etc (the list goes on and on), the oddballs such as Rakoth and Solefald, the "big" names such as Finntroll, Eluveitie, Bathory, Amon Amarth and so forth as well as the real underground/new blood - Bifröst, Bran Barr, Drakum, Thrawsunblat, etc.

I'm hoping it will be an informative, insightful and useful look at a scene which has a real special significance for me and which I have always felt was deserving of  far more respect and attention than it has ever received.

Well, that's it for now. Part one will be up during the week at some point.

Toodle pipski!

What a year!

To be honest, I wouldn't even know where to start with a review/overview of 2012. It has been the best year I have ever know for quality metal/rock releases from newcomers and old favourites alike. It feels as if there is some kind of "raise your game" zeitgeist in the air. I have been left stunned by the sheer number of great albums I have listened to. Great, not just good...although there have been a decent number of those too. I will be attempting to get the list down to the top 20 for my "best of 2012" post later in the year. I will be mixing it up a little this time too. It stands to reason that not all of the best songs will be on these 20 albums, right? So with that in mind, I'm going to be compiling a list of the top 20 songs too and posting YouTube related videograms where available.

Like a zombie rising, stinking, from it's grave...

...the revolting, rancid beast crawls blinking back into the sunlight....and by all this bollocks, I mean that this blog is coming back. Well, for as long as I can be bothered to keep it updated for this time. Days? Weeks? Months? I have no idea. It all depends on my inspiration and feedback/interest from you good (and not so good) people. Keep 'em peeled.