One of these days I made a very small playlist of 3 folk metal songs that lasted up to 40 minutes. Soon after, it made me think about making a long one, containing all the best folk metal songs out there.

Now, this is where I would like some suggestions that probably will be helpful to other members as well. You're free to execute a similar idea as long you provide with the following:

- 1 song from each band (whether rock or metal)

- All songs must have noticeable folk elements throughout and not just short passages.

I would especially appreciate unknown bands in Asia, South America or even...Africa.




EDIT: It turned out to be impossible to geographically categorize some bands. Many have mixed instruments or the global sonority isn't very clear. So, unfortunately I have to give up on this idea and propose a general compilation of the best folk metal songs - one per band.

Moonsorrow - Jumalten Kaunpunki (that's not spelled right i know)---> Finland

1 - Orphaned Land - Sapari ---> Middle East
2 - Astaarth - Our Beloved Country ---> Western Europe
3 - ?rec - Rará? Raká?a ---> Eastern Europe / Slavonic Folk
4 - Mägo De Oz - La Voz Dormida ---> Spain


i will think about other great songs and add them later

Interesting idea but all of my favourites are from Europe.. moreover, 80% of them are from Northern-Europe

Uaral - Surrendered To The Decadence ---> Chile
Tuatha De Danann - Bella Natura ---> Brazil
Kroda - Похорон Сонця (Funeral Of The Sun) ---> Ukraine

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 21:24

Tuatha De Danann - Bella Natura ---> Brazil

The only problem is that they play celtic (as in 'Irish and stuff') folk

Written by Darkside Momo on 11.02.2010 at 22:21

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 21:24

Tuatha De Danann - Bella Natura ---> Brazil

The only problem is that they play celtic (as in 'Irish and stuff') folk

Ah, but we can't discriminate against regional varieties can we?
Amaseffer and Orphaned Land are included and they play oriental/middle-eastern folky stuff, not just straight folk metal

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 22:32

Written by Darkside Momo on 11.02.2010 at 22:21

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 21:24

Tuatha De Danann - Bella Natura ---> Brazil

The only problem is that they play celtic (as in 'Irish and stuff') folk

Ah, but we can't discriminate against regional varieties can we?
Amaseffer and Orphaned Land are included and they play oriental/middle-eastern folky stuff, not just straight folk metal

Yeah, but that wasn't my point... I was pointing the fact that that thay play folk music from another part of the world actually. Folk from Brazil "should" include either Samba or Amazonian tribal music to be tr00 to Brazil, like Sepultura did with Roots...

Written by Ellrohir on 11.02.2010 at 17:01

1 - Orphaned Land - Sapari ---> Middle East
2 - Astaarth - Our Beloved Country ---> Western Europe
3 - ?rec - Rará? Raká?a ---> Eastern Europe / Slavonic Folk
4 - Mägo De Oz - La Voz Dormida ---> Spain

i will think about other great songs and add them later

Yes of course, Orphaned Land should be there.. But as it is only one song from each band, I think there better songs by them rather than Sapari.. For example Ocean Land, Norra El Norra, El Meoda Alila (I'm not sure about the spelling) and above all Birth of Three..

Written by Darkside Momo on 11.02.2010 at 22:53

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 22:32

Written by Darkside Momo on 11.02.2010 at 22:21

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 21:24

Tuatha De Danann - Bella Natura ---> Brazil

The only problem is that they play celtic (as in 'Irish and stuff') folk

Ah, but we can't discriminate against regional varieties can we?
Amaseffer and Orphaned Land are included and they play oriental/middle-eastern folky stuff, not just straight folk metal

Yeah, but that wasn't my point... I was pointing the fact that that thay play folk music from another part of the world actually. Folk from Brazil "should" include either Samba or Amazonian tribal music to be tr00 to Brazil, like Sepultura did with Roots...

yep. the same with Skiltron from Argentina.

Diadema Tristis plays folk metal from the Andean region of South America. Thery're from Argentina, but represent very well traditional music from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and part of Chile.

I like this thread. Although some on my list may be inaccurate, there's certain vibes they give me, so forgive me if some seem a little off. I have yet to do any actual world travelling.

Brazil: Sepultura - Ratamahatta
Canada & US (Native American): Tomahawk - Mescal Rite 1
Middle East: Orphaned Land - Ocean Land
Switzerland: Eluveitie - Slanias Song
Ireland: Cruachan - Ride on
Finland: Ensiferum - Lai Lai Hei
Greece: Rotting Christ - Nemecic
Russia: Arkona - Goi, Rode, Goi!

I'm far too fucking lazy to finish this now.

Written by Darkside Momo on 11.02.2010 at 22:53

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 22:32

Written by Darkside Momo on 11.02.2010 at 22:21

Written by Introspekrieg on 11.02.2010 at 21:24

Tuatha De Danann - Bella Natura ---> Brazil

The only problem is that they play celtic (as in 'Irish and stuff') folk

Ah, but we can't discriminate against regional varieties can we?
Amaseffer and Orphaned Land are included and they play oriental/middle-eastern folky stuff, not just straight folk metal

Yeah, but that wasn't my point... I was pointing the fact that that thay play folk music from another part of the world actually. Folk from Brazil "should" include either Samba or Amazonian tribal music to be tr00 to Brazil, like Sepultura did with Roots...

Ah, I see. Yep, they definitely need more pan flutes.

Unless someone has a great knowledge of folk instruments worldwide, there will be alot of mistakes in this thread. For e.g., Equilibrium has a more distinct sound than other north european bands....heck, it even sounds caribbean to me. So, due to my lack of knowledge, just going to believe that the instruments used correspond to Germany.

Thanks for the submitted suggestions so far. Keep them coming!

Equilibrium "caribbean"?

this is how "caribbean" music sounds for me:




but well...now when you said it...

Written by Ellrohir on 12.02.2010 at 11:36

Equilibrium "caribbean"?

this is how "caribbean" music sounds for me:

That sound Caribbean to you? No steel drums there at all, totally no Calypso sound. This is just a mish-mash of Irish and Scottish folk.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 12.02.2010 at 11:38

Written by Ellrohir on 12.02.2010 at 11:36

Equilibrium "caribbean"?

this is how "caribbean" music sounds for me:

That sound Caribbean to you? No steel drums there at all, totally no Calypso sound. This is just a mish-mash of Irish and Scottish folk.

Yeah, sounds celtic as fuck to me. This is what happens when you let TV raise your kids.

Still a decent song though. I loved the PotC soundtracks.

But take any movie/pc game from this area and you will hear such a melodies...

yes, it is "imported", but correct me if i am wrong - those "steel drums" music is a matter of African slaves' descendants as well...

Written by Ellrohir on 12.02.2010 at 11:43

But take any movie/pc game from this area and you will hear such a melodies...

yes, it is "imported", but correct me if i am wrong - those "steel drums" music is a matter of African slaves' descendants as well...

steel drums did get there through African slaves' descendents and were morphed into a sound of their own, which is the true caribbean sound. But that music was already played in the Caribbean at the time of the so-called pirates. The celtic folk was never a part of that region. Just because the music is used in a Hollywoood film based ona Disneyland/world attraction does not make it the music of the region.

Written by Ellrohir on 12.02.2010 at 11:43

But take any movie/pc game from this area and you will hear such a melodies...

You mean to say you use film/pc games as your leading light concerning stuff such as folk music and what is tre music wise?

Well i said "this is how "caribbean" music sounds for me"...and i dont feel like ridding off this idea from my head in nearest time...

you seem but to be right in your argumentation (again )


btw. but in case that "steel drums" are typical music for caribbean, then i really doubt about Equilibrium sounding that way

Written by Ellrohir on 12.02.2010 at 11:54

Well i said "this is how "caribbean" music sounds for me"...and i dont feel like ridding off this idea from my head in nearest time...

you seem but to be right in your argumentation (again )


btw. but in case that "steel drums" are typical music for caribbean, then i really doubt about Equilibrium sounding that way

Just listened to some Equilibrium and they sound more like Peruvian that sort of area due to their use of flutes. But not like Caribbean, there I agree with you.

OK, Equilibrium doesn't sound caribbean.

Please let's fill more posts with suggestions from now on, forget what I said

They always came off like some band with roots to the Andes with the type of wind pipes they use. I never once thought they were Caribbean either. They actually reminded me a lot of Cusco, just without the vocals and metal aspect ofcourse.

Hmmm... this might be quite long for a compilation but here goes

Negura Bunget - Tesarul de Lumini

It is difficult to limit myself here, but I would start off with the following:
Korpiklaani - Pelonpekko (Finland)
Lumsk - Ormin Lange (Norway)
Eluveitie - Brictom (Switzerland / Celtic)
Arkona - Slava Kupala!!! (Russia & Baltics)
Orphaned Land - Borth Of The Three (Middle East)

Man this is gonna take some doing! When I DJed for my university's radio station, I did a folk metal "freeform"...I played nothing but folk metal for 3 hours straight! Here's the playlist...most of these songs are really good. Don't ask me what country they come from because I don't know. There will be some obvious ones like Korpiklaani but other lesser known bands. Look them up if you are really that interested.

band - song - album (if known)
Equilibrium - Umbesiegt - Sagas
Kampfar - Ravenheart - Kvass
Korpiklaani - Keep on Galloping - Korven Kunkingas
Falkenback - Havama - Heralding the Fireblade
Turisas - Battle Metal
Asmegin - Til Rondefolkets Herskab
Vintersorg - A Diologue with the Stars
Finntroll - Sang - Ur Jordens Djup
Agalloch - Not Unlike the Waves
Asguard - Dreamslave - Dreamslave
Thyrfing - Angestens Hogborg
Manegarm - Fadernas Kall - Nordstjarnans Tildsalder
Windir - Kampen
Nerthus - Battle Song
Primordial - End of all Times
Vintersorg - Perfektionisten - Solens Rotter
Svartsot - Tvende Ravne - Ravnenes Saga
Eluveitie - Primordial Breath - Slania
Ensiferum - Raised by the Sword - Victory Songs
Mithotyn - Lost in the Mist - In the Sign of the Ravens
Hollenthon - To Fabled Lands - Opus Magnum
Korpiklaani - Tapporauta - Korven Kuningas
Amon Amarth - Victorious March (not exactly folk but they sing about vikings, close enough! )
Finntroll - Trollhammaren - Nattfodd
Skyforger - Tirelpurva
Arkona - okrovi Nebetnogo Startsa - Ot Sardca K Nebu
Forefather - Wudugast
Turisas - Rasputin
Windir - Todeswaker
Eluveitie - Bloodstained Ground - Slania
Manegarm - Daudr - Dodsfard
Korpiklaani - Toli Kokko - Tales Along this Road
Asmegin - Vargr I Veum - Eilivs Bane

ps - sorry for any horrendous mispelling!

I stated in the main post but here's for those who skipped it:

"EDIT: It turned out to be impossible to geographically categorize some bands. Many have mixed instruments or the global sonority isn't very clear. So, unfortunately I have to give up on this idea and propose a general compilation of the best folk metal songs - one per band."

Seems the excitement is off : P

Anyway, taking some suggestions from this page in mind, here's the playlist I came up with at the moment (also proud how all fit well together):


01 - Korpiklaani - Happy Little Boozer -----------------------------> Finland
02 - Alestorm - Kneehauled ----------------------------------------> Scotland
03 - Finntroll - Korpens Saga ---------------------------------------> Finland
04 - Manegarm - Vargstenen ---------------------------------------> Sweden
05 - Finsterforst - Urquell -------------------------------------------> Germany
06 - Arkona - Goy, Kupula!!! ----------------------------------------> Russia
07 - Dark Ambition - Bird (Instrumental) --------------------------> South Korea
08 - Eluveitie - Slania's Song ---------------------------------------> Switzerland
09 - Moonspell - Trebaruna -----------------------------------------> Portugal
10 - Týr - Skinlars Visa ----------------------------------------------> Faroe Islands
11 - Orphaned Land - The Kiss of Babylon (The Sins) ------------> Israel
12 - Moonsorrow - Tuulen Tytar/Soturin Tie ------------------------> Finland
13 - Ensiferum - Lai Lai Hei -----------------------------------------> Finland
14 - Falkenbach - Heathen Foray -----------------------------------> Germany
15 - Lumsk - Trolltind -----------------------------------------------> Norway
16 - Diadema Tristis - Dead Tristitia --------------------------------> Argentina
17 - Tomahawk - Crow Dance ---------------------------------------> USA
18 - Cruachan - Death of a Gael ------------------------------------> Ireland
19 - Amaseffer - Ten Plagues ---------------------------------------> Israel
20 - Equilibrium - Mana ----------------------------------------------> Germany


Updates will naturally follow. I'm going to give a special focus in digging non-european bands in the next week. For those interested in having this, please PM me with your Spotify or Dropbox contact.

Ensiferum - Lai Lai Hei
Windir - Byrjing, Kong Hydnes Haug... They're all great.