Dark Folk
Dark Folk, also known as Neofolk, typically features acoustic guitars, often accompanied by somber, declamatory vocals and minimalist rhythms, creating a melancholic and often ritualistic atmosphere. This post-industrial genre emerged in the 1980s from a syncretic attempt by figures from the industrial scene to forge a new European folk music, drawing influences from 1960s and 70s folk artists like Scott Walker and Leonard Cohen, as well as post-punk and cold wave. Iconic representative artists include Death in June, Current 93, and Sol Invictus. Its cultural impact often involves exploring themes of European history, mythology, and esotericism.
More about Dark Folk
Dark folk — also known as neofolk or apocalyptic folk — emerged in the 1980s from the British post-punk and industrial scene. Bands like Death In June, Current 93 and Sol Invictus invented a style built on traditional acoustic instrumentation, yet imbued with dark themes: European paganism, esotericism, civilisational decline and melancholic introspection. Dark folk fuses the roots of traditional folk music with post-industrial aesthetics and the literary and philosophical references of the avant-garde.
Musically, dark folk favours acoustic guitar, vocals ranging from melodic singing to spoken-word declamation, and atmospheric arrangements. Lyrics draw on archaic references, indigenous European traditions, runic alphabets and various forms of neo-paganism. Rome, the Luxembourg project of Jérôme Reuter, embodies the martial and poetic side of the genre with songs evoking history and politics. Colorado's 16 Horsepower infuses the style with a haunted gospel and country dimension.
The contemporary scene is particularly diverse. Paris Paloma brings a feminine and feminist folk sensibility, German act Empyrium combines folk with atmospheric metal in a romantic vein, and A.A. Williams unfolds an orchestral, post-rock dark folk of striking beauty. Maud the Moth and mütterlein meanwhile explore the genre's most experimental and visceral territories.
Dark folk and neofolk festivals are spaces of communion for a community united around a singular aesthetic. Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, M'era Luna and the Doliu Fest regularly programme these artists alongside acts from neofolk and dark wave, in atmospheres that are at once meditative and festive.