History Main / FolkMetal

The first successful folk metal band was [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyclad_(band) Skyclad]]. Though Skyclad's first album was released in 1990, the genre didn't start to pick up steam until 1994, when such bands as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruachan_(band) Cruachan]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphaned_Land Orphaned Land]] were founded. It remained relatively obscure in TheNineties, but became popular in Europe during the [[TurnOfTheMillennium 2000's]]. Finnish bands Music/{{Korpiklaani}} and Music/{{Finntroll}} are often credited with being the primary influence in the recent explosion of FolkMetal's popularity outside of Europe; and Finland has produced arguably the largest percentage of offerings in the genre. Since its founding, the sub-genres [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_metal Celtic metal]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_metal#Oriental_metal Oriental metal]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_metal medieval metal]] have branched off.

* Music/{{Skyclad}} - Folk Metal

* Music/{{Alestorm}} - A combination of {{Pirate}} themed folk metal and American styled PowerMetal.

* [[Music/AlNamrood AlNamrood]] - Saudi Arabian Oriental folk/black metal.

* Music/{{Arkona}} - Russian Folk/Pagan band exploiting [[Myth/SlavicMythology Slavic]] themes (the name refers to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Arkona last bastion of Slavic paganism]]). Their vocalist subverts SopranoAndGravel by being a growling woman.

* Music/MagoDeOz: Spanish band.

* LighterAndSofter: ''Relatively'' speaking, as it's still pretty hard, but the sub-subgenre of medieval metal is this to FolkMetal as a whole. Drawing more influence from TraditionalHeavyMetal, hard rock, and [[{{UsefulNotes/Punk}} folk punk]] than MelodicDeathMetal and BlackMetal tends to mellow it out a bit, and it's more inclined to do acoustic-only FolkRock songs. You should still expect to see plenty of [[MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness 5s to 7s]], though, depending on the band.

* Music/{{Eluveitie}} - Celtic/Melodic Death Metal

[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Folk metal is a combination of various folk music genres and various metal genres.]] One of the most diverse Metal categories, due to the diversity of both metal styles and FolkMusic influences. On the Metal side, the primary influence appears to be DeathMetal and BlackMetal, particularly for bands from Northern Europe (Scandinavia, Germany, and the UK); with the latter being most common in conjunction with strong pagan and/or anti-Christian themes. Substantial influences from PowerMetal, ProgressiveMetal, and [[DoomMetal Doom]] / GothicMetal are also increasingly common; as is [[FolkPunk Punk]] / Metal]] [[GenreMashup crossover]]. Folk influences are typically derived from music traditions local to the bands' places of origin or ethnic heritage; but a few incorporate multiple influences, with Irish and Celtic revival being among the most common. Use of keyboards to replicate the sound of traditional instruments, as well as more atmospheric musical effects, is common; but a few bands rely primarily or entirely on traditional instruments.

[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Folk metal is a combination of various folk music genres and various metal genres.]] One of the most diverse Metal categories, due to the diversity of both metal styles and FolkMusic influences. On the Metal side, the primary influence appears to be DeathMetal and BlackMetal, particularly for bands from Northern Europe (Scandinavia, Germany, and the UK); with the latter being most common in conjunction with strong pagan and/or anti-Christian themes. Substantial influences from PowerMetal, ProgressiveMetal, and [[DoomMetal Doom]] / GothicMetal are also increasingly common; as is [[PunkPunk Punk / Metal]] crossover. Folk influences are typically derived from music traditions local to the bands' places of origin or ethnic heritage; but a few incorporate multiple influences, with Irish and Celtic revival being among the most common. Use of keyboards to replicate the sound of traditional instruments, as well as more atmospheric musical effects, is common; but a few bands rely primarily or entirely on traditional instruments.

* Music/{{Agalloch}} - Includes Folk Metal but is a slight case of {{Neoclassical Punk Zydeco Rockabilly}}

* Music/FairToMidland - [[NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly A mixture of folk, country, and metal]].

* NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly: The whole premise of "metal plus folk" is this. Within the genre itself, Finntroll is the standout example.

* [=AlNamrood=] - Saudi Arabian Oriental folk/black metal.

* Music/TheHu - Mongolian folk/blues metal (they describe their genre as "hunnu rock"). Notable for their use of
the ''morin khuur'' and mixing HarshVocals with throat singing.

* HeavyMithril: Displayed by a fair number of bands within the genre.

* TropeCodifier: Korpiklaani.
* TropeMaker: Skyclad. Of the three offshoots of folk metal: Cruachan is the TropeMaker for Celtic Metal, Orphaned Land is the TropeMaker for Oriental Metal, and InExtremo is the TropeMaker for Medieval Metal.

* Music/FairToMidland - [[NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly A mixture of folk, country, and metal]]

* [[Music/SloughFeg]] - TraditionalHeavyMetal with Celtic influences.

* Music/WagakkiBand - traditional Japanese music mixed with metal.