Viking Metal
Viking metal is a heavy metal subgenre characterized by a galloping rhythm, often incorporating prominent keyboards and traditional instruments like violins or accordions to create an epic, often atmospheric soundscape. Its origins are deeply rooted in black metal and Nordic folk music, with lyrics predominantly referencing Norse mythology, Vikings, or paganism. While more of a lyrical and thematic concept, it encompasses bands drawing from black, death, and folk metal. Bathory, Enslaved, and Amon Amarth are iconic representatives of this Scandinavian-born genre.
More about Viking Metal
Viking metal emerged in Scandinavia in the late 1980s as a reaction against the Satanism and occultism prevalent in black metal at the time. Swedish pioneers Bathory laid the genre's foundations with Blood Fire Death (1988) and Hammerheart (1990), replacing demonic themes with celebrations of Norse mythology, Viking paganism and the Viking Age. Norwegian band Enslaved and fellow pioneers like Einherjer then refined the sound throughout the 1990s.
Musically, viking metal is an eclectic genre: it features slow, heavy black metal-derived riffs, epic anthemic choruses, a blend of clean and harsh vocals, traditional folk instruments (flutes, horns, zithers) and atmospheric keyboards. Ensiferum and Kampfar exemplify the genre's melodic power, while BORKNAGAR and Moonsorrow explore its most progressive and atmospheric dimensions.
Today viking metal enjoys a thriving international scene. Bands like EINHERJER, Norwegian pioneers active since 1993, and Danish act VANIR continue to refresh the genre with modern production and spectacular live shows. Sweden's MĂĄnegarm brings an elaborate folk-metal dimension, placing violins and flutes front and centre. The genre has also spread well beyond Scandinavia, reaching Germany, Finland and beyond.
Viking metal festivals are essential pilgrimages for fans of Nordic extreme metal. Events like Wacken Open Air, Party.San and Norway's Midgardsblot Festival draw thousands of devotees annually, alongside artists from folk metal and black metal, in an epic and ritualistic atmosphere.