History Main / FolkMetal

[[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.

Compare {{Bardcore}}, a genre of music that uses classic instruments to create medieval or antiquity-themed versions of modern pop songs.

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

* Music/{{Primordial}} - Irish blackened doom/folk metal

** Irish folk-rockers The Music/{{Horslips}} were early pioneers of this genre: rock guitars and keyboards alongside traditional instruments, playing modern takes on old songs.

* Music/{{Eluveitie}} - Gaulish for 'The Swiss'; Celtic/Melodic Death Metal, with the majority of the lyrics in Gaulish.

The first successful folk metal band was Music.{{Skyclad|Band}}. 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.