Favorite Pagan Metal Bands

        Without giving any precedence to the various arguments about what exactly constitutes folk, pagan and/or viking metal bands, the following is a list of my top ten favorites. I’m not a big fan of pointlessly debating the nuances of sub-genres, therefore these are what I consider pagan-themed metal bands. In no particular order (other than alphabetical), here are my top ten picks:

Amon Amarth

From: Sweden

Finntroll

From: Finland

Heidevolk

From: The Netherlands

Korpiklaani

From: Finland

Månegarm

From: Sweden

Moonsorrow

From: Finland

Thyrfing

From: Sweden

Unleashed

From: Sweden

Waylander

From: Ireland

Wolfchant

From: Germany

The musical influences and sounds between these bands are widely varied. There are also several other pagan-themed bands that I listen to on a semi-regular basis. Ensiferum and Turisas were left off this list due to some fantastic early albums and some not-so-great later ones. Bathory was left off for the simple reason that not all of their albums are pagan-themed. 

Death Metal Visuals

Vampire. Photographed by Christine Andersson. (gaffa.se)

Thyrfing. Photo by Soile Siirtola.

Thyrfing. Photo by Soile Siirtola.

Grave. Photo by Soile Siirtola.

Månegarm. Photo by Soile Siirtola. 

Entrails. Photo by Soile Siirtola.

Entrails. Photo by Soile Siirtola.

More Månegarm & Thyrfing

Reflecting on my previous post regarding my list of albums I will be attempting to acquire over the next while brought to mind a few things I would like to share.

Firstly, Månegarm released their music video for 'Sons of War', a track from the Legions Of The North album. It was released a while ago, and I have watched it before, but I thought it was worth mentioning here. I personally really enjoy the song and quite like the video. Have a quick watch if you haven't already done so:

Månegarm - Sons of War Official Video


Secondly, this show would have been spectacular to see:

While I have never heard of Netherbird, both Thyrfing and Månegarm playing a show together? I must admit I am a little envious of the Swedes who were able to attend. Just seeing photos of the show makes me feel like I missed out, even though it would have been in no way possible to travel to Sweden for one concert. If this particular line-up decided to tour and stop in my city, well, I can't even express how excited I would be. (But that's wishful thinking, right?)

Photos of the event can be found on the Facebook page of photographer Soile Siirtola (extreMMetal.se) or on the extreMMetal.se website.

Facebook

Website

The Year of Metal

It always seems the metal artists I get excited about release albums in a horde that comes all at once. Or relatively all at once, if you consider within months of each other all at once. This year seems to be the year that it happens again. What upcoming albums am I looking forward to? 

Destruction - ‘Spiritual Genocide’

Thyrfing - ‘De Ödeslösa’

Wolfchant - ‘Embraced By Fire’

Sodom - ‘Epitome of Torture’

Bands Currently In the Studio:

Månegarm 

Amon Amarth

Children of Bodom

Finntroll

Turisas 

 I might have to check out the new Hypocrisy album, dependent on how much cash I manage to spend on these releases and the numerous promising shows that are coming through town in the next few months. I believe Arkona is also releasing an album, which I might have to pick up as well. Surprisingly I don’t own anything by Arkona, although I do enjoy seeing them live. 

 I also hear that Behemoth, Satyricon and potentially Slayer will be releasing albums this year as well. 

I suppose I can add these to the list of previously released albums by various other artists that are on my “to purchase” list. Oh, the woes of having so much music to check out and so little cash to do it on. I’m sure all you other metal heads know the feeling. 

(Wolfchant - Embraced By Fire image from Wolfchant's Facebook page)