Viking metal

The main feature of Viking metal is songs and albums dedicated to German-Scandinavian mythology , the history of the Vikings and paganism . Most Viking metal performers are indigenous Scandinavians , and their music is most often based on folk music traditions. Therefore, Viking metal is very close to the folk metal genre.

Some groups write the lyrics of their songs in Old Norwegian (aka Old Norse ), Swedish , Finnish , Icelandic and other languages. Very often a white verse is used in songs (used by Scandinavian skalds to add vis ), that is, songs do not rhyme. In particular, such an example is common for translating ancient Scandinavian ballads to metal: originally Scandinavian ballads, descended from Scaldic verses, are not rhymed.

Viking metal is heterogeneous in music. It was created by bands that previously performed black metal . Over time, a growing mix with folk metal came into the genre. Currently, most of the new bands that classify as Viking metal perform a mixture of folk and black metal. Significant influence on the genre had such directions as power metal , heavy metal and others. Viking metal usually uses a clear voice, but growling vocals and growling are also common.

Viking metal is determined partly by music and partly by subject, so the assignment of a group to Viking metal is a matter of debate. Someone relates to Viking metal, but not others, such controversial examples as death metal Amon Amarth , doomsword doom metal , symphonic metal Leaves' Eyes , Heavy Power Metal Rebellion . At the same time, there are a number of groups that are similar in sound to the classics of Viking metal, but differ in themes. They are usually referred to as folk metal or pagan metal .

The theme of the Vikings and Scandinavian mythology has always been popular in hard rock and metal. Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath also had songs on this subject. The American heavy metal band Manowar became a kind of forerunner of the Viking metal: they devoted entire albums to Scandinavian mythology, and their mid-tempo, “viscous” sound and choral back-vocals on earlier albums (eg, songs of Secret of Steel , Gates of Valhalla , Battle Hymns ) anticipated the sound of Bathory ^{[4] [5] [6]} . Another forerunner of the genre was the Swedish band Ultima Thule , whose genre was dubbed " Viking Rock ."

The founder of the Viking metal as a separate genre is considered to be the Swedish group Bathory , which released in 1988 its fourth musical album called Blood Fire Death . He borrowed a lot from black metal , but the song of Scandinavian mythology prevailed in the lyrics. Bathory did not stop there: the next novelty in the genre was their album Hammerheart , which was released in 1990 . It conducted experiments with Scandinavian folk instruments , music became slower and more melodic, growling gave way to clear vocals. The texts refer to the spiritual relationship of the father with his son, the willingness of the warrior- Viking to die on the battlefield and go to Valhalla . Hammerheart played a decisive role in the history of the development of Viking metal ^[5] .

Among the other early Viking metallers who appeared in the late 80s - early 90s, it should be noted Falkenbach , Einherjer and Ancient Rites . Like Bathory, these bands started with black metal and then moved on to a new genre. These groups used folk arrangements, folk melodies and instruments in their music, which emphasized the commitment of musicians to national roots.

This movement towards folk music gradually changed Viking metal. By the 2000s, the basis of the genre began to be groups mixing Viking with folk metal ( Turisas , Týr , Equilibrium , Ensiferum , Finntroll , Moonsorrow ). The themes of wars, campaigns, and Scandinavian mythology remained unchanged. So, Týr recorded the albums Eric the Red and How Far to Asgaard ; Turisas in 2007 released the concept album The Varangian Way , dedicated to the sailing of a Viking squad on the way " from the Varangians to the Greeks " ^[7] .

A similar phenomenon to Viking metal has arisen in other countries, for example in Russia: a mixture of folk and black metal, with texts devoted to mythology and paganism. Since the word “Viking” refers only to the Scandinavians, the notion of pagan metal ( pagan - “pagan”) appeared to refer to such groups. The most striking Russian representatives: Arkona , Northern Gate , Butterfly Temple , Nevid , Alkonost , Tumulus , Nomans Land , Rarog .