Left-hand Side of the Stage: Essential Folk Metal Albums: Part 1: 20

Following on from the previous couple of pieces I have written on Folk/Pagan Metal (quite a while ago, now), I belatedly give you a list of what I consider to be the 20 essential albums the scene has produced in its 20+ year existence.

These are the albums that I think any self-respecting fan of the scene should own (or have at least heard). As I said previously, I have been into this sub-genre for the past 2 decades and have embraced it passionately, so you can be sure that this list comes from both a knowledge of and love for the scene and some of the truly great music it has produced. Even though I, and others, lump these bands together due to some tenuous folk-ish link, they are often wildly different in sound, presentation and style. There are the "Viking" influenced bands, the Slavic bands, the "drinking" bands and anything and everything in between. The only true link between these acts is the "Pagan" and/or "traditional" slant the music takes and the recurring atavistic attitudes and references to a real or imagined time gone by. This is especially notable with the Slavic bands, but in most cases, should not be construed as being NS, although sometimes bands within the genre do lean towards this way of "thinking". You won't find those bands (knowingly, at least) on this list. So, raise those horns (fingers or drinking) and prepare for a musical journey into the mists of time and into a world where violins, hurdy-gurdys, accordions and their ilk are not only acceptable, but almost mandatory.

The process of elimination for this list was a labour of love / really difficult for me, as was the positioning in the top 20, so if your personal favourite didn't make the cut, feel free to tell me why you think it should have. I have listed the albums in reverse order, starting at 20 and going to 1. Click on the links provided for a taster from each album. Below are the first 10. Enjoy!

20. Cnoc An Tursa (Scotland)

Album: The Giants Of Auld (2013)

Recommended track: The Lion Of Scotland