How do I take them seriously? same goes for every Metal band- I take them seriously based on creativity, so your saying I shouldn't take Finntroll seriously, but take CoB seriously, 5 finnish guys, using some Yngwie influence & singing about how much they hate shit, if anything, CoB's lyrical basis is their downfall, CoB's lyrics- (generally) suck (lets just admit the fact that Alexi actually uses the word 'Mothafucka' in his lyrics, ok?).
Finntroll has some great fictional fantasy lyrics based on trolls killing christian crusaders, if thats not fucking cool to you I suppose you should remove the cross stuck up your ass. If one cant bob their head and enjoy folk/polka mixed with some badass metal, I seriously think they need to get in touch with their inner drunk viking, I can see how maybe, an Asian- wouldnt get it, seeing as how Polka Folk isnt really... native to China and such, but Man, if thou art from Mother Europe, embrace your fruckin Heritage, mixed with some Metal, its the best idea since the blowjob was invented.
Folk/Viking/Pagan metal happens to be my favorite form of metal, as well as Fantasy/Super Melodic speed metal with harsh vox like cob & skyfire, Finntroll, Ensiferum, Bal-Sagoth, Summoning, Kaliban, Moonsorrow, Falkenbach, (old) Vintersorg, Suidakra, Manegarm, Einherjer, Mithotyn, Forefather, Thyrfing and the like destroy, its not a debate, its not even open to questioning, its the truth.