Some metal albums don't get the attention they deserve because they use lyrics in languages other than English. These might be more popular in their countries of origin than elsewhere and don't get as much recognition as an album written with lyrics in English might outside of that country.

Are their any gems you can think of that have lyrics in languages other than English which don't get the recognition they deserve? These might come from your own language or others.

The only band with non-English lyrics I listen to is Teräsbetoni (Finnish), but I find the language to be more of a benefit than an obstacle because a) I adore Finnish b) their lyrics are pretty awful even with the humor

None of the Serbian bands that sing in Serbian are known outside of the country, but there is a reason for that - most of them just plain suck.

Lazuli's (4603 Battements) comes to mind. It was released this year, all songs are sung in French. That might put some people off, but then again, French actually sounds nice in songs.

To many , but does lang is reaosn why not listen album?
I wold say Czech band Arakain, whit Ales Brichta, his solo , + many folk bands like Vintersorg earsly albums, like many finish bands bands who sings in german, spanish lang never worked for me

Mora also serbian band Abonos )

try more here

http://www.metalstorm.net/forum/topic.php?topic_id=2310

Written by Bad English on 29.01.2012 at 14:35

Mora also serbian band Abonos )

I really dislike Abonos

The language of music is universal. Understanding lyrics is just a by-product or else 99% of metal would be considered crap.

Written by Bad English on 29.01.2012 at 14:35

To many , but does lang is reaosn why not listen album?
I wold say Czech band Arakain, whit Ales Brichta, his solo , + many folk bands like Vintersorg earsly albums, like many finish bands bands who sings in german, spanish lang never worked for me

Personally if I am aware that an album may be worth checking out I wouldn't be put off by the fact that the lyrics are in another language.
And thanks for that link

@BloodTears: I really like that Lazuli album, the French lyrics are very catchy. Though my French is non-existent I find myself trying to sing along, and let me tell you that doesn't end well, not least of all because I can't speak French.

@Mora: That's a major problem I thought will be common, though there might be commendable attempts from bands to write lyrics in their own language it would probably only be a few that stand out, which is a shame.

I'm not sure language would be a barrier.... lots of bands got very well known even if people don't undertand a shit of what they are singing (like Moonsorrow, for a quick example).

Besides, sometimes even lyrics in english doesn't change a thing coz the growls/shrieks/high-pitched-voice makes it impossible to decipher a word.

Which leads to the possible conclusion that if a band isn't well known/doesn't get enough recognition, it's probably due to other reasons than language used. Every country has it's hidden gems that might or not sing in english... so yeah, it's irrelevant.

It is true that some bands using local language are immensely popular in their country and not outside (Obús, Mezarkabul, etc...), but I doubt the language is the barrier.

Would Aspid be a good example? Progressive Thrash in russian. It's actually pretty good.

Prog rockers Nexus (from Argentina if i remember right) and Swedish band Anglagard come to mind. And Sigur Ros also.

One of the greatest doom bands Akelei from Netherlands have lyrics in Dutch and it's pretty good how it sounds!

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 00:35

One of the greatest doom bands Akelei from Netherlands have lyrics in Dutch and it's pretty good how it sounds!

well the last song is half Dutch, half Norwegian

I listen to a lot of metal whose lyrics i cannot understand.

some of them are in other languages, such as Who Dies In Siberian Slush, Akelei, old Ulver...

others are in English... Obituary and tons of other bands with growled/howled/shrieked/gargled vocals.

the music matters. if anything, NOT understanding the lyrics is almost better, as most lyrics don't really do anything for me at all.

ADX is okay, but the vocal work is horrendous.

I might say I actually prefer some bands who sing in their respective native languages. Tyr, for instance, sounds wonderful if they perform in Faeroese (it's sad but lately they've been singing in English more often and sadly enough, the English lyrics are cheesy.) Of Eluveitie I prefer any stuff in Gaulish.

Metsatöll sings in Estonian and I'm proud of it because this language is used so rarely and should be promoted. Then again, there are bands that shouldn't sing in English because their singers have awful accents.

Zaklana Celjad (slaughtered offsprings ) are quite nice (legendary) gore/grind/joke/wtf band from here with great totally nonsensical lyrics in Serbian ...i dont need to say that they are great although i despise grindcore/gore grind...

Sortilege. That is all.

Arkona and Aria from russia. Not exactly "hidden" but the average metalhead wouldn't know them.

B.A.R.F.
Mononc' Serge
Groovy Aardvark
Ghoulunatics (couple of tracks are in french and actually sounds better)
350 4 barils
...

The list can go on and on. These are all or were all great local bands that don't (didn't) get the visibility they deserve because of language barriers. However, for the most part, a lot of attention is put in the lyrics so I wouldn't have it in any other way. It's a choice they made, and I'm proud that they made it.

Written by [user id=114127] on 31.01.2012 at 06:50

Arkona and Aria from russia. Not exactly "hidden" but the average metalhead wouldn't know them.

Speaking of Russia, we can't forget Epidemia, who make awesome power metal, completely in Russian. I'm surprised more people don't know about this group.....

There's also Oathean, a Korean black metal band, although I'm not sure if their lyrics are in Korean or not.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 31.01.2012 at 01:25

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 00:35

One of the greatest doom bands Akelei from Netherlands have lyrics in Dutch and it's pretty good how it sounds!

well the last song is half Dutch, half Norwegian

Do you mean the song "Duett" or their latest song "Dwaaluur"?

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 18:55

Do you mean the song "Duett" or their latest song "Dwaaluur"?

Yep,

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 31.01.2012 at 19:34

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 18:55

Do you mean the song "Duett" or their latest song "Dwaaluur"?

Yep,

Which one???

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 19:36

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 31.01.2012 at 19:34

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 18:55

Do you mean the song "Duett" or their latest song "Dwaaluur"?

Yep,

Which one???

Duett.

Dwaaluur is actually an older song and was released as downloadable single before De Zwaarte Van Het Doorstane was released.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 31.01.2012 at 19:43

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 19:36

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 31.01.2012 at 19:34

Written by ravendeath on 31.01.2012 at 18:55

Do you mean the song "Duett" or their latest song "Dwaaluur"?

Yep,

Which one???

Duett.

Dwaaluur is actually an older song and was released as downloadable single before De Zwaarte Van Het Doorstane was released.

Uh, thanks! I thought that Dwaaluur is their last song. Anyway it's an amazing piece.

I actually love hearing music that is not in my native language (Spanish) or in English.
Lately, I've been particularly enjoying bands that sing in French (Amesoeurs, Alcest, Les Discrets, Peste Noire...)

By the way, some months ago I realized that almost every Swedish metal band sings in English. I found that strange since Swedish is a beautiful language.

Lifelover and Shining aren't underestimated and have their fanbase. I have just always wondered how it is listening to those bands if you don't know Swedish. To me the lyrics from these bands are like... at least 40 % of the band.

But of course, there must be a lot of "gems" out there which doesn't get the recognition they deserve because they sing in another language. I've never looked past a band because of that though. After all, no matter how great lyrics can be, it's always the music which matters first of all.

Written by Warman on 01.02.2012 at 14:45

Lifelover and Shining aren't underestimated and have their fanbase. I have just always wondered how it is listening to those bands if you don't know Swedish. To me the lyrics from these bands are like... at least 40 % of the band.

I agree that the lyrics of both bands are important to really get what they transmit.... and as my swedish is close to none, I just google-translate some of the songs to get an idea (actually, Lifelover is among the very few bands I feel the urge to do so... such an emotinal band).

But ultimately, I think that the feeling they transmit through the tortured screams and melancholic riffs is enough to know whats going on... it's all about being fucked up whether it be drugs, alcohol, depression or whatever.... For me, the feeling a band transmit with the music is always more important than the lyrics themselves.

Written by Warman on 01.02.2012 at 14:45

Lifelover and Shining aren't underestimated and have their fanbase. I have just always wondered how it is listening to those bands if you don't know Swedish. To me the lyrics from these bands are like... at least 40 % of the band.

The foreign language gives some sort of "mystery" to the band for me. I always end up looking for translations anyway.

I have to check these two bands, didn't knew they sing in Swedish!

Written by Vombatus on 01.02.2012 at 16:03

For me, the feeling a band transmit with the music is always more important than the lyrics themselves.

That's pretty much my opinion as well, although when a band can make use of lyrics which enhance the overall experience in some way I feel all the more impressed. Personally I really enjoy Skyclad's lyrics for example, I think they are pretty damn clever and add to the overall sarcastic bite in their music.

Lyrics in languages other than English is a bit different, I don't understand them but they make the music feel sort of.. authentic if you know what I mean. Supposing that they are backed by quality music of course.