KARISHMA D’MELLO
A Confluence of Cultures:
The Origins of
Folk Metal
Metal has always been universally
acknowledged as a musical act of
defiance. Regardless of how much
the genre mutates or divides itself,
the sub-genre variants are only
a supplement to the underlying
core that always remains defined
by the culture of rebellion.
Of all of metals curious pairings,
folk metal is perhaps, the most
profound example of the influence
culture can have on music. However,
tracing its origins to “culture” is
far too simplistic. In fact, while the
statement itself might be true, folk
metal, in many ways is considered
a product of another notorious
heavy metal genre – black metal.
but still maintained the distinctive
tones of heavy metal. Over their next
few albums, the band evolved into, what
is almost universally recognized as, the
first folk metal band in music history.
Though their music was rooted in
rebellion, they were still able to
separate themselves from their black
metal counterparts. However, while
these bands weren’t necessarily
associated with Satanism, they
were still keen on maintaining
an anti-religious front.
So how does a genre like black metal,
with all its satanic undertones
become associated with the folk? Another example of this is sentiment
is “Bathory”, a Swedish band who
believed in the opposition of both
Christianity as well as Satanism.
The idea behind this was that both,
Christianity as well as Satanism
were products of the Catholic church,
and so both must be renounced.
It is important to recognize that
though there exists an undeniable
fascination with death, criminality,
and a somewhat disturbing darkness,
these themes are generally explored
within the context of Nordic culture,
Viking history, and Scandinavian
mythology. Folk metal simply evolved
to isolate itself from the somewhat
darker parts of the black metal culture. A lot of the themes within folk
metal include the evolution of
humanity’s relationships with
nature and other universal concepts
like greed, superficiality, existence,
and spirituality. As we progress,
these themes continue to diversify
and evolve to include more social
issues, ancient philosophies,
mythology and elements of fiction.
In 1991 a British band called “Skyclad”
released their first album The Wayward
Sons of Mother Earth (1991). The album
was inspired by their pagan ideology, The music itself borrows from regional
folk instruments. While the set up
generally features a typical heavy
metal ensemble, instruments like
32
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
flutes, bagpipes, mandolins, and banjos,
(depending on the roots of the band, or
their country of focus) are what allow
the band to incorporate that folk sound
into their music. Some bands rely on
electronic keyboards or software.
As more bands, embrace this style of
music, you find an increasing number
of very specific sub-genres beginning
to take shape. Celtic, Viking, Medieval
and Oriental metal are some of the
most prominent of these sub-types,
with bands like Cruachan, Subway to
Sally, Orphaned Land leading from
the front. The integration of folk with
metal is not particularly unique in
its practice. Western classical has
long been borrowing elements of folk
tunes, imagery and music structure.
Self-proclaimed connoisseurs of heavy
metal might make the case that folk
metal is all too “goofy” to be considered
“real metal”. And there’s undoubtedly
some merit to that argument with
regard to a few select artists/ albums
that often sound alarmingly close to
parodies of themselves. However, to put
a blanket label on every artist within
the genre does a disservice to incredible
folk metal artists who do an incredible
job of combining story with song.
In the wake of the digital era,
where the confluence of culture,
metal, and storytelling, is so
often overshadowed, these artists
remain a breath of fresh air.