a few 'band - song' suggestions (I trust in a world of streaming and torrents and p2ps you can find them if you want to)...

Weihan - Zielsmoord
Empyrium - The Shepherd & The Maiden Ghost
Forseti - Empfindsamkeit
Forseti - Im Abendrot
Hel - Kalter Rausch
Suidakra - Foggy Dew (Celtic traditional song)
Nebelung - Heimsuchung
Orplid - Erster Frost
Nest - Last Vestige of old Joy

seems like the Neofolk you might want is mostly from Germany.

Hello everyone. I first became introduced to Graveland when I listened to their song "Blood Faithful to Soil" off of the Eastern Hammer split, you can listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No_wbzaAnqo

Anyways, so I decided to listen to one of Graveland's full-lengths and decided to listen to Thousand Swords because it seemed to be his most popular album. However I personally found to be a somewhat mediocre straight ahead Black Metal album, not the epic Pagan/Viking Black Metal sound of that track. However, I have read that Graveland's more recent albums sound like "Blood Faithful..." than any of the tracks on Thousand Swords. Since Graveland have such a big discog, I didn't know which one to pick, so I would curious as to see which of the albums you think would be best for me.

It's hard to go wrong with newer Graveland, though I would probably avoid Spears of Heaven because it's a rare misstep in my opinion. Many agree that the best of his newer albums is Will Stronger Than Death, which you will probably find resembles "Blood Faithful to Soil" quite a bit. Fire Chariot of Destruction, Dawn of Iron Blades, and Memory and Destiny are also great albums in the newer style. You can't go wrong with any of these. I would probably recommend Will Stronger Than Death or Fire Chariot of Destruction as the place to start. Those are both very epic.

Bucovina
Amazing romanian folk metal. Free download premitted by band!
http://realm-of-bucovina.com/media_EN.html

"Bucovina, Inima Mea" is definitely amongst my favorite songs

I guess this is the right place for my question. I don't have a lot of experience in folk metal, but I'm starting to get into it, mainly because of the use of the folk instruments. So between the two bands Folkearth and Folkodia, which one makes more use of folk instruments? Paritcularly wind instruments (flute, tin whistle, bagpipes, etc)

Folkearth vary quite a lot, but personally I don't even like very many of their songs. I think Folkodia has the superior discography, but I suspect Folkearth brings more variety to the table, just because of the sheer number of instrumentalists they have collaborating on any given album. so, I can't be too helpful about that

in any case, if you like Folkodia's "Sword in Hand", check out the 2010 album of Bran Barr (loads of great tin whistle stuff).

Schandmaul's also worth checking out for the sheer abundance of folk elements in their songs (unlike a lot of other Mittelalter Rock which will just rely heavily on bagpipes). their most recent live DVD was epic (included allllllll of their great songs...maybe all of their songs? lol)

oh, and if the accordion/bayan/concertina/etc. is a folk instrument you like, check out Svarga and Kalevala ... they have some of the nicest non-'piratey' accordion melodies in folk metal

I actually already knew that Bran Barr album from an earlier thread, and it's terrific! Definitely something I want to buy in the future. I listened to the Folkodia album Sword in Hand was on, but they didn't use the folk instruments enough to my liking. Neither did the Folkearth album I downloaded (By the Sword of My Father). I guess those two bands just aren't for me.

Shandmaul and Kalevala I didn't care for. Svarga, I was enjoying until about the middle of the album, then it got boring. I'll probably give it another try sometime soon.

tracks 10 and 11 are two of the best on the album. I hope you made it that far

I'm looking for quality Hammerheart worship. Heavily majestic Hammerheart worship.

Suggestions?

you might have better luck in the Heavy/Power help thread

I haven't heard anything in the Folk/Pagan spectrum with vocals or riffing like that.

try Bloodshed Walhalla

oooooh the album? LOL I thought he meant the band!

I'm looking for some folkish or folk-influenced black metal but with quite specific criteria. I don't listen to a lot of folky stuff, my favourite band like this is probably Forefather, who I absolutely love - mostly because I prefer metal influenced by folk tales and melodies rather than something that sounds like basic power metal or Gothenburg riffs with some flutes slapped on it.

So I wonder if anyone can recommend me some heavy, crushing, blasty black metal with a whiff of folky influence? Or at least heavy, serious folk metal with some blasts, so not Suidakra etc who are, again, more Gothenburg. A heavy production is important, as are real drums (I can't quite get into the drum programmed tinny sound of some of these bands).

Maybe there's a Moonsorrow album I'm missing? Or a Manegarm record that's more black than folk? Or I'm just completely missing out on some awesome band that sounds like Negator or Endstille meets Forefather?

Thanks in advance for any and all recs.

The debut, I think. It's been a while since I listened to it, so don't quote me on that.

I just made a thread about Dråpsnatt in metal discussion, maybe give them a listen. It's not all that blasty most of the time, but you never know, you might like 'em irregardless.

On the Moonsorrow vein, there's Finsterforst, which sounds very similar but with a lot of accordion. I would also recommend the Sognametal stuff like Windir, Mistur, and Cor Scorpii. They each have highly melodic riffs with an influence of traditional music without losing any of the power.

And there's always the great "Voice of Steel" by Nokturnal Mortum.

Mistur is a fantastic recommendation and Cor Scorpii not bad either. That's the kind of stuff I'm looking for - black metal bits intact, not too much non-metal instruments, and fast preferred. Awesome, cheers guys. Any more recs welcome as fuck.

I'm looking for folk/viking metal with mostly harsh vocals, and an uplifting feel to it, perhaps similar to Turisas, Finntroll, Ensiferum and (sometimes) Moonsorrow. Flute, violins and keyboards are good.

The following is a list of folk/viking metal bands I already know:
Arafel, Askival, Bathory, Borknagar, Butterfly Temple, Cormorant, Crimfall, Eluveitie, Empyrium, Ensiferum, Enslaved, Equilibrium, Falkenbach, Finntroll, Fjoergyn, Forefather, Gallowbraid, Heathen Foray, Karlahan, Korpiklaani, Kroda, Moonsorrow, Myrkgrav, Manegarm, Nazgul, Nattsol, Oakenshield, October Falls, Orphaned Land, Rivendell, Runic, SIG-AR-TYR, Svartsot, Temnozor, Thyrfing, Turisas, Ulver, Vintersorg, Windir, Wolfchant

Thanks guys.

This should be perfect, and as opposed to the bands mentioned I can recommend it:

Kromlek
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZTD8_1dogE

Also, this:

Die Apokalyptischen Reiter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE73dt0N1_w
Hmm wait that's with the new singer... the ones with the old singer (who uses gutteral singing) are less uplifting I fear...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c17-2aSWOME
(actually it's the same one but he changed his pseudonym and style)

in order of likelihood to suit your request:

Mithotyn (the band who secured my obsession with Folk Metal that Ensiferum first sparked)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQE8Zq_YJyI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd1lJHtNelM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_c_x-e4RNw

Bifröst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heH_Ckvojzg

Nomans Land
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtBkSleKWg8#at=38

XIV Dark Centuries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkB1uADam70

Varg (Deu)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz8ylGE2m20#at=2

Folkodia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8s2GX7Cze0#at=24
(this one's all clean vocal, but probably one of the most uplifting songs for me)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7bf4r54Uc8#at=21

Heidevolk (all clean vocals, but nice proud epic melodies)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY1rPrn-85Y

SatanaKozël [СатанаКозёл] (you could skip the 1:40 intro to get right to the metal, but it's pretty awesome)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBUWFDsbW_I

Litvintroll [Литвинтролл]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bF9NryFGHo

Finsterforst?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWwvTtEObSc

Pagan Reign have a lot of somber moods, but my general impression of them is as an uplifting band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zTNcwgIfuE#at=96
same goes for Menhir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_g-P1T2PS8#at=62

Vintersorg's other band, Otyg. (the violin always sounds a little moody, but the compositions are folky and happy (which is 'uplifting' of a sort...maybe you're looking for more of a 'triumphant' sound, though?))

Hello all,

Can anyone recommend me something similar to Ereb Altor´s album "By Honour"? MA lists them as Viking/Doom metal. So, something slow and crushing that also incorporates folky acoustic and other quiter more melodic passages? No Power metal please!

Hello and welcome. Ereb Altor are a cool band, waiting on the new album in the post as we speak. As for something similar I'm sure you are aware their music is based on Bathory's Viking era, this is the best place to start if by any chance you are not familiar with them thought I doubt it! Check out Bloodshed Valhalla's debut and maybe Atlantean Kodex's latest. You should also really enjoy Sig Ar Tyr's work, the latest album 'Godsaga' prob best to date and that would be saying something as they are all good, same goes for Scald, they only managed to get one album out but it is an underground hit for many. Try these and let us know if we are on the right path.

Thanks. Actually I know mostly "of" Bathory but have neglected to listen to them much, could you point me in the direction of the Viking era albums? Never heard of any of the others, so plenty to look into. Thank you for the swift reply!

No problem, try Hammerheart, Twilight and the Nordland albums to begin with, they are all great and you will see we're the likes of Ereb Altor take their style from, especially on the vocals. If you wand a harsher approach go back to Blood, Fire, Death, hell all the Viking period albums are great. Use the reviews on the bands home page here on the archives most of the review will give you an accurate representation of what to expect.
And to start you on your way -

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yNU9oQWe7cc

I think you'll prefer their later albums (rather than the earliest of the viking era ones like linked above)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-MYnync8xc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B1YDPE20Ss

here's a couple great covers of a couple of the viking era hits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXeyPqL-K4s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GUO5yR9NCo

IMO, Vrani Volosa [Врани Волоса] does the best cover of "Man of Iron", but it's not on youtube.

Sig Ar Tyr fits all my criteria. I am currently listening to "Beyond The North Winds" and it is exactly what I was looking for. It also has strong solos which is only a plus. A bit heavy on the atmosphere side sometimes maybe, but nevertheless a great album.

I'm only lukewarm on Scald so far, but I recognize they are pretty good at what they're doing. Perhaps its the vocals, the do remind me a bit of power metal.

On my own account, I discovered Doomsword, who is also a worthy recommendation for others looking for the same sort of stuff.

Cheers Erotetic, I'll look into their discography!

Surely you know Taake?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-0ivDsr ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAsjeT3DKKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLK3NZlX ... re=related

SCALD - Will of the Gods is Great Power

Taake for sure. But given the list that guy posted, I was surprised not to see anyone suggest Finsterforst! And the latest Nokturnal Mortum material (THE VOICE OF STEEL!!!), since Tyri seems to be a fan of the Ukrainian bands!

aaah...pretty sure I did.

Ah! Well, I admit, I didn't go too far back in the comments.

try some of these
nomans land- http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Nomans_Land/6190
norther(petri lindroos band before joining ensiferum)- http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Norther/1815
northland- http://www.metal-archives.com/albums/No ... and/276969

Not sure if this is the best thread for my question:

Anything similar to Thyrfing's last three albums Vansinnesvisor, Farsotstider and Hels Vite? Especially the track Griftefrid is just what I am looking for.

It does not need to be pagan/volk/viking, it rather needs this dark/doomed vibe .

I am looking for albums that sound like Bathory's Hammerheart, Twilight Of The Gods, Nordland I & Nordland II. I have seen someone recommend Bloodshed Walhalla‎ and they are great! I am looking for clean vocals like Bathory's! I also found Scald which is similar also.

Hi, mate. Swordbearer is what you need. That said, be sure to check out Morrigan's Headcult album. Kinda raspy vocals, but the music's epic.

Thank you I will check them out. The only thing I hate about Nordland I and II is that the mastering of them is HORRIBLE. The vocals are very low in the mix and at some points in the songs the vocals will be completely muffled by the mastering deciding to make a 1 or 2 second part of the music louder then the vocals completely.

Try Crom. I'm not hugely into it, and I don't hear that big an influence myself, but it's supposed to sound very close to Bathory. All clean vocals by the way.
There's also Atlantean Kodex. It goes for the epic doom approach. Quite good at times, boring at others.

Doomsword is yet another great epic doom band that has some obvious Bathory worship going on.

In regards to Swordbearer, it's the second album you want to look for. I have a couple of issues with it though, mainly the inconsistency of the music. It goes from from aggressive black metal, sometimes in the vein of Blood Fire Death, to folky upbeat drinking music, and sometimes comparatively calm and atmospheric. The other problem with Swordbearer is the lack of physical releases. Rhodes didn't seem to have much in the way of options, but you can only get in on itunes.

Oh, and try Ereb Altor, the first two albums are epic doom, perfecting the Bathory sound on the second. The third is, to be honest... a bit disappointing.

Getting a bit away from the clean vocals, I'd urge you to check out Iuvenes' Riddle of Steel (excuse the terrible intro, it picks up about 30 seconds in). The singing is somewhere inbetween a sort of deep chanting to something approaching black metal rasps, but the sound of their music is epic as it gets.

There's a couple of other absolutely fantastic Bathory-like bands, but they all have black metal vocals to some extent.

A bit disappointing is an understatement in my opinion. The third album is a travesty on the Ereb Altor name.

Stormheit is another band kind of similar to Bathory's epic period, but with some NS lyrics and worse vocals.

Yeah I would have to agree with you guys about Ereb Altor's later, after alot of spins it is quite dissappointing compared to the first two, they sound like a different band.

@StealthX, try out later Falkenbach, his worked is often compared to Quorthon's and is of a similar style.