Is Folk Metal on the Decline?
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Visited by: 153 users
Original post
Posted by AngelofDeth, 25.02.2014 - 02:06
I can't say exactly when the decline began but folk metal seemed to reach a pinnacle around 2008. That was the first year of US Paganfest, when Ensiferum, Eluveitie and Turisas toured together across the states. At the same time bands like Moonsorrow, Finntroll and Korpiklaani were also nearing the height of mainstream metal success while maintaining integrity. These bands could arguably be regarded as "The Big 6" of Folk Metal.
Around this time many bands across Europe started hopping on the Folk Bandwagon. The labels capitalized on this and within a few years every half decent folk band in the EU had a record deal and a touring slot, flooding the genre mostly with mediocrity.
Now fast forward to 2014 and alas, "The Big 6" is crumbling. Sure, Moonsorrow and Finntroll are still cherished by many but that's only 2 of 6.. Meanwhile the 2nd generation folk bands are simply not up to par to fill their places of the pioneers of the genre, causing folk metal to hit a dead end..
And if you don't believe me yet, then here is an 2013 interview with Sami Hinkka from Ensiferum talking about how the folk metal genre will decline: @ 2:00 min http://metalstorm.net/pub/interview.php?interview_id=676
But what do you guys think? Is Folk Metal failing or am I just exaggerating?
IMO what the genre needs is a breath of fresh air, a new direction, a new influence.
Personally I would like to see folk influence from outside Europe be weaved into the genre. Eniferum made an interesting nod to American western folk in their song "Stone Cold Metal" and some other bands on the outskirts of the genre are starting to move towards Asiatic folk such as: Whispered, Wintersun and Damnation Angels. Hopefully this trend continues and spreads.
| Karlabos Posts: 5736  |
I believe the genre is growing. It seems that when the words "folk metal" are spoken, people only think about german/scandinavian folk metal. But other folk scenes have been rising, such as asian, south american, slavic... The Tengger Cavalry post above is an example. But as ppl only seem to care about the mainstream bands like Ensiferum, Turisas, Eluveitie, Ensiferum, Turisas, Eluveitie... Then they say that the genre is stagnated. But it isn't. It's actually far more diverse and inspired than it was about 10 years ago.
---- "Aah! The cat turned into a cat!" - Reimu Hakurei
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7564  |
Written by [user id=136611] on 11.03.2014 at 19:29 That includes Eluveitie, too?
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| Vombatus Potorro Posts: 2393  |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 11.03.2014 at 20:05 Of course, Eluveitie are the epitome of shitty folk.
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7564 |
Written by Vombatus on 11.03.2014 at 20:47 You out of your fucking mind, schmuck. Spit me in non-shitty folk metal bands before I try to make my plan and strangulate you.
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| Karlabos Posts: 5736 |
Written by [user id=136611] on 11.03.2014 at 19:29 On my view it also happens with other genres a well. If I say to an average "metalhead" that I like black metal he will ask about bands like Dark Funeral, Marduk, Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth... All of them being the most uninspired and bland sounding on their subgenres... Thus on my view, being the shittiest among them. More generally if you speak to one that you like metal he'll assume you like bands such as Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, Led Zeppelin, Blind Guardian Metallica... Again all lacking originality when compared to the others on the genre. (Here fanboys pop up and defend the bands I cited with all their might) But i have a theory: I think most "metalheads" prefer those bands exactly because they are bland... average... normal... Most people enjoy normal things and avoid leaving the usual. That's also why many people prefer to keep just following the same bands' progress instead of looking for new ones. They don't want to leave their normal routine.
---- "Aah! The cat turned into a cat!" - Reimu Hakurei
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| AngelofDeth Cyborg Raptor Posts: 1183  |
Written by Karlabos on 12.03.2014 at 02:58 Did you really just claim these bands lack originality? Many of these bands are pioneers of either metal as a whole or specific metal subgenres, which is about the most "original" thing a band can do. If you don't like these bands then fine, but you should at least be respectful of them laying the foundations of metal for others to build off of. Second, there are a reason why these bands got popular in the first place, they all released great albums at one point and are all exceptional at their instruments. Many recent releases from these bands are terrible, as I state in the original post of this thread and yet many still follow the bands, and yes that is annoying but you shouldn't negate a band's entire discography because of one shitty album. Third, just because some of us like mainstream bands doesn't mean we limit our tastes to only popular bands. I listen to some music that's very underground and some very mainstream, it's a matter of taste not whats spoonfed and as you can see in my post, Whispered is not all that mainstream and Damnation Angels barely on the radar(14 fans here). I've already stated I'd like to see bands branch out with new influences like Ensiferum's Stone Cold Metal which is music unlike anyone has done in any metal genre so far(that I know of at least). Also I stated that i've searched for bands in folk and haven't found anything truly satisfactory, most just sound like Ensiferum copy bands to me. so instead of attacking others why not state your opinion in a more constructive way and suggest bands that may counter my point rather than just bash like an upset post-hipster.
---- pewpew.. gotcha
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| AngelofDeth Cyborg Raptor Posts: 1183 |
Written by toxx on 11.03.2014 at 07:57 Not bad! This is exactly the stuff I want to hear more of. Only thing is it's pretty unrefined and could benefit from some better production as well but will definitely check these guys out.
---- pewpew.. gotcha
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| AngelofDeth Cyborg Raptor Posts: 1183 |
Written by deadone on 12.03.2014 at 03:56 Hell yes we do! That's the great thing about metal, you can combine it with almost anything and it sounds awesome lol
---- pewpew.. gotcha
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| Karlabos Posts: 5736 |
Written by deadone on 12.03.2014 at 03:22 Well, we're hearing music at 2014. So when I stated "bland, lacking originality" it was indeed on a 2014 perspective. Famous bands which started very well and now have a vast discography have the tendency to release worse and worse album on the more recent years. They released good albums on the past, yeah... But hearing their recent work which is released on the downfall of their career and saying that the whole scene is degrading doesn't seem very fair... To speak for what the scene is like nowadays I think you must compare it with 2014 albums. Written by deadone on 12.03.2014 at 03:22 Yeah I just stated what I observed. I also think that there's nothing wrong with liking normal stuff. Written by AngelofDeth on 12.03.2014 at 03:42 If you look on my post I just said they sound bad on my view. It's a matter of opinion. And I can present my respect wishes to the pioneer bands from a far distance, without having to listen to them. =P And yeah, I'm aware that some people don't limit themselves, specially here on this site. That's why I said words like "most" instead of "every". Also, I was not bashing the bands o_O, I was just saying what I observed: Most (not every) people stick to those same bands. I also said that I don't like them at all, but if you think some of them are awesome then that's okay.
---- "Aah! The cat turned into a cat!" - Reimu Hakurei
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| toxx Supreme being Posts: 390  |
Another example of a good new Folk Metal release are these guys. From Romania I think. http://godthehorde.bandcamp.com/album/zal-mox
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| Cynic Metalhead Ambrish Saxena Posts: 7564 |
I think Deadone and no one needs to bring their trains back on track. @toxx- good stuff. I'll dig it more.
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| toxx Supreme being Posts: 390 |
Written by Cynic Metalhead on 12.03.2014 at 09:00 Good, indeed! A lot of hidden gems lie buried within the mountain that is known as bandcamp.com . I find that bandcamp is a good way to discover new (and old) bands and releases within every genre imaginable.
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| Troy Killjoy perfunctionist Staff Posts: 21306  |
Can we please keep at least one thread on track these days? As Cynic has stated, this thread is about the decline of folk metal. If you want to discuss the downfall of metal as a whole, create a new thread and discuss the matter there.
---- "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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| *NorthernLights* Posts: 28  |
I'm not sure it's dying. Perhaps it's just having an identity crisis as the pioneers of the genre hit a rough patch? If it were truly in decline, it wouldn't be continuing to spread outside of just northern Europe. I fully expect that in the next few years we'll see some newcomers emerge out of somewhere like Asia or North America that'll blow us all away. For some reason it seems to be getting weirdly popular around my neck of the woods, both in that there are fans who are into it as well as musicians influenced by the well-established acts forming bands. I've heard a few Canadian bands, for example, that weren't bad (Vesperia, Trollband, Blackguard). Scythia (also Canadian) are also pretty fun. Saw them live a little while ago. They're also very nice if you get a chance to meet them.
---- And I shall not be dark but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair
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| The Evergreen Posts: 241  |
Written by *NorthernLights* on 07.04.2014 at 03:08 Exactly. Yeah, it sucks that the pioneers seem to be less than they were, but that does not mean the genre's going anywhere. There are new bands in it that have their own style and some that carry on (Eluveitie, Equilibrium, Metsatoll. Disagree all you want. I think they show remarkable consistency.) And yes, Blackguard are extremely nice in person. Paul will talk you ear off. I'm not sure that they are Folk metal at this point, though it would be nice if Victory Records would let Storm out of the box already so we could find out. Emilie Livernois was in studio, after all, so we know it's not the same as Firefight which I could not call folk. Edit: I just listened to all the bands named in this thread that were new to me. All are pretty good. Trollband and Scythia were especially good.
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| *NorthernLights* Posts: 28 |
Written by The Evergreen on 08.04.2014 at 14:57 No disagreement at all here. I love Eluveitie! And Metsatoll were great when I saw them in the fall. Got a set list as a souvenir. Trollband were actually better live I found. I didn't get to talk to everyone in Scythia, but their bass player seems quite nice. He let me take a photo with him in his stage costume after the show, which was a lot of fun (I hope their new album makes them a bigger name. They're just now doing their first tour outside of Canada I think).
---- And I shall not be dark but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair
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