folk metal

Skyforger - Kurbads (Metal Blade/Riot)

Latvian music is known to be one of the most peculiar forms of ethnic music in the world. The Latvian group Skyforger was known for being the standard bearers of this culture. Is their new album able to carry on this tradition?

After seven years since the release of their last studio album Zobena Dziesma, a milestone in folk music in the vein of the most traditional folkloric  groups from Latvia, Sky

Claim the Throne - Aletales (Prime Cuts)

Perth folk metallers Claim the Throne give us a bit of an insight into what they're capable of with their five-track EP (CD/DVD digipack) Aletales. And it's pretty damn good.

Renowned for their rollicking good-times live shows, Claim the Throne is an Australian band worth experiencing if you ever get the chance to see them gr

Subway To Sally – Kreuzfeuer (Nuclear Blast/Riot)

What do you get when you cross folk music with heavy metal? I don’t know – what do you get when you cross folk music with heavy metal? Well whatever it is, it ain’t Subway To Sally!

Kreuzfeuer means Crossfire.  I looked it up in my trusty circa 1950s German/English dictionary.  I also tried to decipher the song titles but didn’t get far. 

An Endless Metal Summer From Afar - Sami Hinkka of Ensiferum

Ever heard of a guy that won a Battle of the Bands as well as coming second AND third? We haven't either - but Sami Hinkka of Finnish folk metallers Ensiferum could have, if he really wanted. He also talks tours, bass and "From Afar."

There’s one thing that Sami Hinkka, bassist of Finnish power metal megastars Ensiferum wants to clarify – once and for all.

Eluveitie - Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion (Nuclear Blast/Riot)

There's no metal to be had here, but there's plenty of heavy. Swiss folk metal band Eluveitie know how to get heads banging even without our genre's precious electrics.
Release Date: 
18 May 2009 - 11:30pm

Although many will recoil in horror as they read the following line - that there aren't any electric guitars to be heard on this album,

Ensiferum: Album Title + Track Listing Revealed

Finnish folk metallers Ensiferum have set 'From Afar' as the title of their fourth album, slated release on 8-9 September, 2009 via Spinefarm Records.

 

Korpiklaani - Karkelo (Nuclear Blast/Riot)

Korpiklaani always promise us a good time. This release is no different - but stylistically there are some key differences from Korven Kuningas and Voice of the Wilderness. Be prepared for a very different Korpiklaani journey.
Release Date: 
26 Jun 2009 (All day)