King of Asgard - Viking Metal

[Fire breath]

A more blackened version of Amon Amarth and not quite as good IMO but still this new song has great chest beating riffs and swinging dark melodies bouncing gloriously along. If you like this style I think you will like this band. That swinging melodic riff at the 2.00 mark is damn cool if you ask me. This band features ex members of Mithotyn which was of course the previous band of Falconer legend Stefan.

 

[VeganSupremacy]

Wow, this really reminds me of Mithotyn. I'm liking it a lot. I'll have to look for the full album.

 

[Purveyor Of Evil]

Vikings and metal. A win-win situation for me.

 

[Palabra de Dios]

I saw this at the store the other day, and I was skeptical. Their logo looks a little modern. I at first thought they were an American band. If that were the case, I would have been turned off. Viking metal from America is just a bit disingenuous.

Wow, this really reminds me of Mithotyn. I'm liking it a lot. I'll have to look for the full album.

Yes. In fact, they have two former members of Mithotyn. When I found that out, I was quite a bit more interested.

 

[General Zod]

I at first thought they were an American band. If that were the case, I would have been turned off. Viking metal from America is just a bit disingenuous.

While I would agree with this statement, it's beginning to feel that almost any new band to this scene is a bit disingenuous. Amon Amarth have been pounding out this music for 18 unflinching years. For the majority of this time, it was a very, very small genre. Somehow, by the power of Oden, Amon Amarth became MTV Headbanger's Ball darlings and exploded in the U.S. All of sudden, there seems to be a thousand Viking Metal bands.

 

[Palabra de Dios]

And for the most part, I agree. It's becoming a genre that needs to progress in order to remain relevant, I think. As it becomes more popular in the US (evidenced by what I would consider success with the PaganFest tours, among others), it also becomes more of a cash-cow for record labels. But I think that if it's done well, it's still an enjoyable genre. Kind of like fantasy-themed symphonic power metal, or gore-themed grind/death metal. There's always gonna be bands that exploit the gimmick, and then others that keep it classy.

Unfortunately for the viking bands, there have been a series of elite bands in this genre for 10-15 years, and newcomers have to do something to convince us that they're worth our time. As for this particular band, at least they are comprised of veterans in the genre.

 

[General Zod]

Kind of like fantasy-themed symphonic power metal, or gore-themed grind/death metal. There's always gonna be bands that exploit the gimmick, and then others that keep it classy.

A fair point.

Unfortunately for the viking bands, there have been a series of elite bands in this genre for 10-15 years, and newcomers have to do something to convince us that they're worth our time. As for this particular band, at least they are comprised of veterans in the genre.

The band isn't bad. However, it strikes me as one of those discs that would probably take me three full spins to enjoy fully, yet the type of disc that would bore me after a half dozen spins.

 

[Creeps]

I'm new to the genre so I have some questions.

1. Is there any proof that vikings actually screamed like that all the time?
2. Why are there no "viking metal bands" that sound like Manowar or Gamma Ray?
3. Why don't they wear furs or at least those cool helmets and make their stage look like those bad ass viking ships?

Ok #2 is actually serious.

Out of all these viking bands you guys post this is the only one that has ever appealed to me. That's probably because I can understand what the hell he's saying. Black Metal just doesn't do anything for me. I've liked a couple Dimmu and COF songs (off one album) and that's it.

 

[General Zod]

Why are there no "viking metal bands" that sound like Manowar or Gamma Ray?

StormWarrior.

 

[AngraRULES]

I'm new to the genre so I have some questions.

1. Why are there no "viking metal bands" that sound like Manowar or Gamma Ray?

Out of all these viking bands you guys post this is the only one that has ever appealed to me. That's probably because I can understand what the hell he's saying. Black Metal just doesn't do anything for me. I've liked a couple Dimmu and COF songs (off one album) and that's it.

I am not sure if you've seen this year's ProgPower lineup yet, but there are two bands that may be interesting to you. StormWarrior is a viking-themed, Gamma Ray-sounding like band. TYR is another band that could be considered in the "viking metal" genre with clean vocals only. Check those out. They'll be playing in Atlanta in a few weeks.

 

[johnfrank1970]

Thanks for the tip, Pirage! I never check out releases that are labeled as viking metal, as I don't care for the genre in general. I like Mithotyn - Gathered around the Oaken Table, however, and King of Asgard scratches that itch rather well based on what I have heard so far.

 

[OrbWeaver]

[*]Why are there no "viking metal bands" that sound like Manowar or Gamma Ray?

Because "Viking metal" isn't a real subgenre. It's a term based on lyrical content, and lyrical content is hardly enough to make a new genre. If that were the case, every band that wrote lyrics based on some sort of fantasy setting, like Lord of the Rings, would be considered power metal. Which would really piss off a number of black metal bands who love to write lyrics based off of that series.


Back on topic...

Yes, 2/3 of Kings of Asgard were in Mithotyn. The new material is good stuff, and I hope to hear more from them in the future. Stefan Wienerhall is a guest musician on the new album, too, so if you didn't get enough of a Mithotyn vibe with the song in the video, that should just up the ante.

 

[CD INZANE]

In stock and available at Progpower. Sensational, and yes, some Stormwarrior influx...

 

[Creeps]

I didn't think Tyr and Stormwarrior would be in that group because there were nor black metal influences.

I do like some Amon Amarth though.

 

[Jasonic]

Because "Viking metal" isn't a real subgenre. It's a term based on lyrical content, and lyrical content is hardly enough to make a new genre. If that were the case, every band that wrote lyrics based on some sort of fantasy setting, like Lord of the Rings, would be considered power metal. Which would really piss off a number of black metal bands who love to write lyrics based off of that series.

Sorry, but I could not disagree with you more.

Many subgenres were born and bred out of lyrical content as opposed to just the overall sound. Venom, Mercyful Fate, Bathory, Trouble, Sleep, etc are examples which quickly come to mind.

Obviously, there are many genres that are just as specific to the music as well as lyrical content (IE - doom metal).

I just don't think you can 100% dismiss lyrical content as a genre defining concept.

 

[Jasonic]

Somehow, by the power of Oden

Maybe Odin too..........

 

[General Zod]

Maybe Odin too..........

That spelling isn't mine, it's Amon Amarth's.

 

[Jasonic]

That spelling isn't mine, it's Amon Amarth's.

MANOWAR spell it ODIN, damnit!!!!!!!!

 

[Palabra de Dios]

And other spellings are Odinn, Odhinn, or Wotan.

 

[Jasonic]

And other spellings are Odinn, Odhinn, or Wotan.

Yes, I am aware. Just goofin' around........