Folk Power Metal

[waif]

^Forgot about them; major influence on Elvenking and folk metal in general. Very socially oriented lyrics though.

Yes, but good, relatively thoughtful lyrics, imo. Good stuff.

Also, mutantllama I'd recommend you try:

Human Fortress (songs like Border Raid in Lion's March, Schattentor, Skin and Feather, and Defenders of the Crown) They're not so much folk, but they have a very medieval sound.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=93608609

Listen to the last three songs on their myspace first (Defenders of the Crown is my favorite), then listen to the newer ones if you like them. They just released a new album and it has a different sound than their older material.

Didn't think of them, but I had their debut as my av for a while so needless to say I FUCKING SECOND THIS!
Lord Of Earth And Heaven's Heir is one of my favs because it has this amazing medieval atmosphere. Great stuff. Worth getting, even though it's hard to call it folky...

Also, I think Rhapsody would be a good rec, since their early stuff definitely has strong medieval folk elements. Try Legendary Tales and Symphony Of Enchanted Lands. Also, Luca Turilli - King Of The Nordic Twilight.

 

[rms]

Rhapsody in no way at all is folk, or is battlelore. Still good rec's but jeebus guys

 

[waif]

Rhapsody? listen to the first 2...definitely some medieval folk sound there.

 

[Seditious]

Rhapsody in no way at all is folk, or is battlelore. Still good rec's but jeebus guys

yea, they're more just ...epic, like Bal Sagoth.

 

[Einherjar86]

They're symphonic metal, but with some folk elements. Definitely not enough to be called "folk metal" though. They're epic symphonic.

 

[rms]

how could they be folk? they dont use any weird instruments

 

[Einherjar86]

Well, sometimes symphonic and folk can coexist. I can think of a few Rhapsody songs that have folk-esque introductions or interludes before becoming completely and bombastically symphonic.

It's more to do with their melodies than with the instruments they use, I think.

 

[rms]

sure, maybe A Forest of Unicorns but that song is gay to the max and shouldnt even be considered

 

[waif]

They're symphonic metal, but with some folk elements. Definitely not enough to be called "folk metal" though. They're epic symphonic.

Agreed, but still a valid rec, since they also kick ass. I'm sure that if ml isn't already familiar with them, he'll like them.

how could they be folk? they dont use any weird instruments

I think they do, sometimes.

Well, sometimes symphonic and folk can coexist. I can think of a few Rhapsody songs that have folk-esque introductions or interludes before becoming completely and bombastically symphonic.

It's more to do with their melodies than with the instruments they use, I think.

sure, maybe A Forest of Unicorns but that song is gay to the max and shouldnt even be considered

Okay, definitely the interludes. And Forest Of Unicorns is hilarious...
"beware of unholy fire, my guardian of the trees"
anyhoo
Definitely the interludes, but also I feel like some of the melodies definitely sound folky, just in a symphonic context.

 

[Seditious]

I'd also recommend Kiuas. They have some really folk influenced power metal.

fuck, man, I'm checkin' em out now...they sound like a folk-metal version of my favorite Anthrax album!

 

[Einherjar86]

They're pretty badass. Some of their folkiest tunes are:

Across the Snows
And the North Star Cried
Reformation (Wrath of the Old Gods)
The Wanderer's Lamentation
To Excel and Ascend
After the Storm

And a lot of their songs have very folky melodies. They're pretty much my favorite power metal band. Glad you're liking them Seditious!