rexxz said it would be okay if I made a rec thread for non-metal music, so here it goes. I'm looking for a music style that I'm not particularly familiar with (I don't even know what the genre should be called) similar to Eridu Arcane. For those of you who haven't heard of them, they have free songs available on their website. Basically, I'm looking for very minor-key oriented and acoustic guitar driven neo-classical or neo-folk music similar to this. The music should convey a very gothic, sad, and gloomy atmosphere. Another band that is kind of similar to this sound is Uaral's acoustic pieces (they are technically a metal band, but 3/4 of their music does not actually use electric guitars and drum kits). Please don't give me recommendations for other metal bands, though, as I'm looking for a very organic sound with little or no electric guitars or drum kits.

I think Nechochwen might work. The work in progress album apparently. has metal and acoustic, but Algonkian Mythos is all acoustic. The album is limited to 1000 copies.

You could give The Soil Bleeds Black and Unto Ashes a shot. I think they both have the vibe you might be looking for.

I would say Dark Sanctuary and Elane, providing you don't mind the occasional total lack of guitars in some songs by the former and a casual use of electrics (sometimes, but not too often) by the latter, and drum kits.

maybe Finntroll's Visor Om Slutet album? it's really slow and gloomy.

Empyrium - Where at Night the Wood Grouse Plays

Definitely sounds like it should be up your ally.

I also have to recommend Nest to anyone interested in neofolk; the song "Last Vestige of Old Joy" with Agalloch should suit you in particular.

Not EMPYREAL, but EMPYRIUM. Other recommendations
AGALLOCH Pale Folklore & The Mantle
ULVER Kveldssanger

Vàli is the "/end thread" you're looking for.

Argh! My mistake. I hate it when two bands I know have very similar names. Good on you for pointing that out. Ammended.

Not entirely sure what you're looking for, but based on the description you gave, check out the first song on this page.

Just re-read, and it sounds like you might have a problem with the drums; I'd still give it a chance, though.

The Ulver album is the first one that came to mind, but some other suggestions...

-Blood and Time (Scott Kelly of Neurosis side-project, if you like if he's got solo work of a similar quality)
-Tenhi
-Cian Nugent (this is a link to a particularly ballin' fusion of two pieces by him, ripped from the radio, HIGHLY recommended: http://www.sendspace.com/file/vpnuo2)
-Sol Invictus
-Current 93
-... the whole neofolk/apocalyptic folk/dark folk/folk noir genre...

I came in here to recommend these guys. FYI, it's the Norwegian Vàli you're looking for, not the UK one (who are a drone/doom band).

They only have one demo out (Fortlatt). It's exactly what you want.

please, Sol Invictus have a cool name but make really shitty music.

Thanks for all the recs, guys! I found a lot of cool bands from this thread, but Vali in particular was what I was looking for down to a tee. Awesome stuff.

If anyone has any more ideas, feel free to keep 'em coming!

Death in June is the first thing that comes to mind. Sol invictus is also good ( sometimes). Agalloch is amazing ( the white ep fits what you are looking for.) Ulver's second album is also good. The funeral albums tristesse and tradgedy have some good classical guitar mixed with funeral doom.

Thanks a lot for the recommendation. It's great!

Vàli is the first thing that came to mind for me as well. Is that demo offered for free download by the band? Somehow I got it in my mind that it was, but I couldn't find an official link the last time I looked.

How does Skumring (band from the same guy) compare, to those who have heard both?

Also: man, I don't like neofolk or apocalyptic folk or what-have-you, it sounds so blah who cares to me. Vàli is like metal unplugged.

I'd say Nebelung's Mistelteinn (album) is rather gloomy, except for the #02 song Heimsuchung. Don't let that fool you, because the other songs are not that cheerful-ish.

They actually have a new album (Vigil) out.