I'm looking for more music in this vein. As far as Current 93 goes, I've not listened to a lot of their discography. I didn't particularly care for their more recent releases. However, I absolute love what they were doing in the early '90s. Thunder Perfect Mind, Lucifer Over London and Of Ruin or Some Blazing Starre have all blown my mind recently. They're full of hypnotic, sometimes repetitive but never dull acoustic passages, varied and effective vocals, lots of atmosphere and ambience while still managing to retain a groove. Comus is a bit of a singular entity, and as such I find it difficult to articulate exactly what it is that makes them so special. They have been described as "folk rock on a bad acid trip" which is a good starting point. They use occult themes and a instrumental motifs to create incredibly fluid narrative structures, always teetering on the edge of disjointed, chaotic jamming.

Current 93 -Lucifer Over London, All the Stars Are Dead Now
Comus - Drip, Drip, Song to Comus

In more general terms, I want folk music (it can be folk rock but the less rock the better) with occult themes, psychedelic tinges, singing (as opposed to spoken narration) and something with the vibe of those Current 93 albums I mentioned. I will now list a few other relevant bands, both to avoid redundant posts and to encourage some brainstorming in the reader.

Animal Collective (especially on Sung Tongs and Here Comes the Indian) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CQDGBGv9PI
Chelsea Wolfe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATWrUIoxRkc
King Dude - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzuki0m8sME
Hexvessel (the most rock based act by far) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AurdzCumxdg
Grim (Japanese noise/industrial artist, with a few random ethereal folk tracks) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnsxOaK29Jo

Some of the early material from folk-rock pioneers Steeleye Span may be worth checking out, especially the albums "Please To See The King" and "Hark! The Village Wait". There's a real dark and earthy feel to some of the songs:

http://vimeo.com/39906260
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKl3Q8kjfb8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp8pv3NsJoE

I assume you're familiar with the more well-known neo-folk acts like Sol Invictus? Just in case not:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLJYUdzvWIE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wovex7y-Kog

Despite their awful name(I'm sure it has something to do with the occult or witchcraft), I suggest you check out Kiss the Anus of A Black Cat.

A few things you might like:


Firstly, track down the 3 CD comp "Looking for europe" and the 2 cd one "John Barleycorn reborn". Absolutely the best starting points .

also:

Backworld
Paul Roland & the Hellfire club
Pantilemon

Those Steeleye Span songs certainly have a mystical quality to them, but it's not what I'm looking for. Interesting for historical purposes, thanks.

I was aware of Sol Invictus but had not listened to anything off that album. I like it a lot. However I do not want to veer too far in the industrial direction of neofolk. I'm more interested in the organic textures I discussed in the OP. This is why I have been weary when it comes to checking out the entirety of neofolk.

Let me throw out another band I should have mentioned earlier: Spires That in the Sunset Rise - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANnRLZQL0as

I'm also digging Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio - Onani.

The other two bands that spring to mind, when thinking of Current 93, are Death in June and Sol Invictus. You might want to check out Nature and Organisation too. Most of those groups that were distributed by World Serpent back in the day had a similar sound. As far as newer groups go, check out H.E.R.R. They are probably the closest thing to Current 93 that I've heard in a long time, but the vocals are more spoken than sung. Worth a listen. For Current 93, make sure you listen to the "Earth Covers Earth" release.

Edit - I forgot to say that a lot of neo-folk groups these days have taken the Death in June route, which is to say they have that distant, emotionless feel to their music (mostly on the vocals). To me, C93 poured on the "feelings" and "emotions" which could sometimes be ridiculous and absurd...yet cool.

Since we get threads on these genres almost every day I thought a help thread might be in order, to keep things tidy and organized. Anyway, I've been listening to neofolk/dark folk/apocalyptic folk and martial industrial for over a decade, maybe I can help out? I don't know much of the obscure stuff, mainly the big names, but still, maybe I can be of service.

Do your worst with your most outlandish recommendation requests!

I'm into neofolk/dark/folk/apocalyptic folk/whatever they call it nowadays, not as much martial industrial but I do like some of it; Triarii, Puissance, Pimentola, and a few more I can't recall offhand.
I'm currently into neofolk along the lines of later Empyrium, Forseti, Of the Wand and the Moon and Tenhi. Anyone know of good music along those lines?

YAY THIS IS A HELP THREAD NOW
I have like no neo-folk or martial industrial :c
help lol

Haha, I saw this thread and immediately thought of telling the OP to talk to droneriot.

If you haven't heard of them already, give Darkwood a try.

Sample: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Yg9-j0 ... re=related

Can my C93 thread get merged with this one?

@Darkwolf18: You could try with the band Neun Welten and their album "Destrunken". They play Neo/Natural Folk, which surely creates a very somber and melancholic atmosphere, but is miles away from just being plain dark or gloomy, and in that way building up a calm and dreamy atmosphere. Acoustic guitars, strings, pipes, piano etc. you name it. Quite recommendable for fans of later Empyrium or Ulver's "Kveldssanger"

on a sidenote: One of the reasons I kind of turned my back ((apart from those bands I already knew) few years ago on newer acts I discovered in the martial ind. genre was the fact that most acts just were plodding along. This kind of brooding, ample ladden atmosphere was just too boring for me. I just need a pop-structure and not 14 minute long songs which lead nowhere. A few bands like Triarii stuck positvely out as they (he) had shorter songs with actual repeating melodies, choruses etc.

and while we're at it - I could need some recs myself I'm looking for stuff like Derniere Volonte (of course I know In The Nursery). Not like their very old stuff but in the vein of their "Les Blessures De L'Ombre" and later albums. Bascially military pop per definition so to say Synth-ladden, strong "marching" drum-beat and soothing vocals and (important) an actual song structure with reocccuring choruses or certain melodic lines.

I've heard a couple Neun Welten songs and I loved it, what is the best album of theirs?



I've heard of Darkwood but never really got into them. This song is pretty cool though.

Amen, brother!

Sure, I kinda made a mistake while merging the threads though, sorry!

STILL WE HAVE A NEO FOLK HELP THREAD NOW!

Favorites: Rome and Tenhi, amazing bands with amazing vocals.

You probably know Fire + Ice, right? They're probably the most famous neofolk band after the "big three", so I'm assuming you know them, but I'm posting them anyway just in case. Same with Ulver's "Kveldssanger" album, essential for all who enjoy later Empyrium and similar stuff, but again probably something you already know.

I'm looking for a Neofolk band, only instead of European Folk I'd rather it be American. I should go on to say I'm not looking for bands like 16 Horsepower.

Have a try with Changes. They surely weren't labelled as Neofolk when they started back in '69 but they got some kind of revived interest esp. in the neofolk due to Michael Moynihan (Blood Axis, one of the major acts of the genre) collaborating with them. (you can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changes_(band)#Contemporary_Changes_.281994.E2.80.93present.29 ). Here are some songs for you to check out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5K1U0SrRiw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98tZ-FKgUSE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGMYs5hykg

Esp. the last link posted leads you to one of my all-time faves. So brillant, both in text and music. There's also a version of it done with M. Moynihan, which has drums and slight electric guitar use in it, making it even more powerful:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaUYfN-yMPM (it is labelled as a Blood Axis song in the link, but it is Changes "remixed" by Blood Axis actually).



Cheers So you share that thought. It seemed (and I suppose it still does) that all you had to do to become a "cult" martial industrial band was to follow a certain formula:
- pick up some black & white WW2 photo as your cover art
- record some noise
- record some marching drums every here and there
- add some eerie samples (preferably WW2 stuff, of course)
- limit your release to 37,5 items with a handpainted logo
- add more WW2 samples

Boring, just boring. Up to this day only very few bands managed (imo) to captivate what martial ind. is - or should - be about...

I was fascinated with Martial and neofolk about 3-4 years ago... Was digging a lot of stuff and so on. But as grauer_mausling in above post says, all these scene become very boring, ,,artificial" and repetitive...
Martial industrial projects mainly try to sound either like Triarii or Jes Joyaux de la princesse - overusing boring repetitive war-like drumming or trying to be very mysterious and melancholic while playing with some dark ambient and minimalistic textures. Unfortunately none of these capture the sound of previously mentioned projects. You just need to know couple of classical projects, though they also dont work for me as a ,,long-term" music.
What concerns neofolk, these scene apply the same formula. C93, DIJ, beside their early classics, have been primitive, boring, monotonous and lacking new ideas for 10-15 years I guess. Other cornerstones, like Allerseelen, Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio...I dont know, they are also putting some kind of crap lately

By the way, if someone would be interested, pm me: I want to get rid of my c93, allerseelen, ORE, laibach, etc CDs.

Since you like 16 Horsepower, check out Wovenhand. They are the band of the former singer of 16 Horsepower. Also In Gowan Ring, one of my personal favorites as well as Birch Book.

Sweet thread idea, drone. I'll definitely be lurking around.

Fans of neoflok should check out Corde Oblique's album Volonta d Arte. It has amazing classical (I think) guitar as well as a variety of other instruments, multiple vocalists and amazing songwriting. Probably my non-metal album of 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Ogtxhsu3I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMUOGSNvvY8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=882Ww_79tpU

He said he does NOT want bands like 16 Horsepower.

For Americana sort of neo-folk, check out King Dude, Wooden Wands, Earth's recent albums, and Man's Gin.

Everyone needs to check out Tenhi! 'Kauan' is one of the best albums I've ever heard. Perfect neofolk with classical elements.

I'll add to the Americana style neo-folk recs Angels of Light and the two Swans albums: The Burning World, and White Light From the Mouth of Infinity.

This might be a stupid question for most of you guys out here...But, what exactly is Neofolk all about?

Basically it is taking the template of traditional folk and combining it with modern influences such as darkwave, ambient, industrial, post-punk, etc. That's the simplest I can describe it.

I do like them and I also know the two bands you recommended Darkwolf; however Mike is right. Yup, Earth's recent output is spot on. Thank you.

NSBM with acoustic guitars and limp wrists (:

Anyway, can someone recommend some neofolk like Forseti? Very melancholic, without any industrial/martial influences, using only acoustic guitars and traditional instruments like flutes and violins.

Well, please suggest me good Neofolk bands then...am eager to explore that genre...

Read the thread?

Death in June and Current 93 are both great places to start, and both have vast discographies. If you really want to here the Goth influence, listen to "Nada!," by DiJ. It's a perfect album.

It reminds me of the Goth kids from South Park so much

Alright...Thanks dude! will give it a listen.

Death in June is definitely the place to start, they're neofolk to the bone and probably the most recognized and representative of the genre. Current 93 is okay, not one of my favourites though. Instead, I'd recommend the other two big names from the UK, Sol Invictus and Fire + Ice.

And yeah, Death in June's "Nada!" is stunning.

I'm assuming you know the second Ulver album and Empyrium's "Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays"? Just asking, to be on the safe side.

in addition to those already mentioned, I suggest (my fave NF band, btw) Of The Wand And The Moon. Can't go wrong with any of their (his) albums but "Sonnenheim" is kind of the most accessible ("catchiest" ? ) of the discography.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoQSfGjsx3w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MCpKgfjM_s

However all of his albums are just great

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqlGCaRQVFs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDVog7luAbY

I'll second what droneriot said. Current 93 seem to be quite popular among neofolk fans, but the music of David Tibet is wildy experimental, often ventures outside the realm of neofolk straight into the realm of industrial/noise, and even when he does play neofolk it isn't very much like other neofolk acts. Add to that the fucking gigantic discography (which is industrial/noise up until about 1988) and David's weird, cryptic and apparently very personal lyrical style and you have a rather bad choice for an introduction to neofolk as a whole. That said, I am fond of most of his work and if you do decide to check out his stuff then there is no better place to start than "Thunder Perfect Mind". "Sleep has his House" is my favorite, but it's a bit on the repetitive side (also a giant ass 24+ min song).

As far as Di6 is concerned: everything up to and including "Operation Hummingbird" is golden. After that Di6 starts to get uneventfull and repetitive. Especially that last piano music album.

The only Boyd Rice/Di6 collaboration that I can wholeheartedly reccomend is "Music, Martinis and Misanthropy". "Scorpion Wind" or "Heaven Sent" or whatever it's called now is also mostly good even if the songs are a little to long for their own good. "Alarm Agents" and "All Pigs Must Die" should be avoided unless you like noise, in which case the latter album might be worth looking into.
/word soup