Folk Metal, and why it's the perfect "gateway drug" to Metal Music

So, this is something that I have been thinking about for a while now, though up until now, I didn't really know how to introduce it to my fellow Steemians. But there is a style of metal that, to me, has the perfect opportunity and ability to get people into metal music, and in a much easier fashion. If you're not too sure how to feel about the bands that scream all the time, this might just be the metal for you!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to give you an introductory PSA about Folk Metal, and why it may be the reason you become a metal head.

Now keep in mind, this is just an introductory post, so I DO plan on making this a series so that you can get a more in-depth look at the beauty of folk metal. But for now, this should tide you over! :D Now, most of the folk metal bands I'm aware of reside in Finland, though there are plenty to be found all around the world. True, European ones are the most well-known I suppose, but the world has a lot of amazing folk metal bands to offer, with AND without screaming vocals involved. The following two bands I will be mentioning in this post are of the "non-screaming" variety, so as to not scare you off too early in this series. :p Let us start with a personal favorite of mine, Korpiklaani.

KORPIKLAANI

Created from the ashes of a folk band, Shamaani Duo (formed in 1993), and Shaman (formed in 1996 and based off the folk music of Shamaani Duo), Korpiklaani was birthed in 2003, as was their debut album, "Spirit of the Forest". Most folk metal bands of that time started with metal music first, then added the folk music element later.... Korpiklaani did the exact opposite. They started with folk, then introduced the metal element later. The most notable track from "Spirit of the Forest" is the opening track "Wooden Pints", a song about drinking, fighting, dancing and yoiking. Wait, what was that last word???? "Yoiking"?? What does THAT mean? Well, to put it simply, it is the Finnish countryside people's equivalent to yodeling. It is sort of a chanting process but with a little dissonance and gruff in the diaphragm, giving it a more intense vocal palate, while still maintaining a melody, especially when singing traditional Finnish folk songs. With this singing style and traditional folk instruments (such as the violin and accordion, as well as the occasional extra or two such as the hurdy gurdy), Korpiklaani's sound transformation was soon complete.

Here are a few examples of their music, including a track from their most recent album, Noita (released in 2015):

"Wooden Pints", from the album "Spirit of the Forest" (2003)

"Happy Little Boozer", from the album "Tales Along This Road" (2006)

"Metsamies", from the album "Korven Kuningas" (2008)

"Viinamaen Mies", from the album "Noita" (2015)

Now, if you're perhaps in the market for something a bit more genre-specific, maybe you'd enjoy Viking-based folk metal? Well, do I have the band for you! Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Faroese band, Tyr.

TYR

Directly from the remote Faroe Islands, Tyr delve the entirety of their band's lyrical scenery into Faroese folklore, particularly involving the Viking culture of old. In fact, their band name, Tyr, is actually the name of the Norse god of law and justice, which is a fitting name for such music. Their instrumental intensity is easily evened out by their vocalist's melodic vocal prowess. Although they have had four vocalists thus far, including their current one, the music has always generally been of the same value.... a mixture of melodies as well as dissonant chords to give an even settling/unsettling sort of vibe in the ears, making it the true essence of metal. Each album also seems to get heavier and heavier with each following release, from their debut album, 2002's "How Far to Asgaard", all the way up to their most recent release, 2013's "Valkyrja". In my personal opinion, the current vocalist, Heri Joensen, is their best one by far, though that is NOT to say that the previous vocalists were not good, because they certainly were. Heri's style just suits the music better in my opinion, is all. But they did come from an impacting beginning, with older classics such as "God of War" and "Hail to the Hammer" (which would later be re-recorded with Heri Joensen on vocals later in their career, appearing on their 2008 release, "Land").

And now, for your listening pleasure, here are a few of their most well-known and highly-acclaimed tracks throughout their career:

"Olavur Riddararos", from the album "Eric the Red" (2003)

"Hear the Heathen Call", from the album "By the Light of the Northern Star" (2009)

"The Lay of Thrym", from the album "The Lay of Thrym" (2011)

(This one is a personal favorite of mine, particularly because it is the first Tyr song I ever heard. I've been obsessed with Korpiklaani [mentioned above] for a while, and I had a station dedicated to them when I still used Pandora Radio, and this Tyr song appeared on it, and I fell in love with their music immediately.)

"The Lay of Our Love" (feat. Liv Kristine of Leaves' Eyes), from the album "Valkyrja" (2013)

(This is another personal favorite, mainly because of the beautifully crafted and vocally melodic chemistry between Joensen and Kristine. Also, this song will always hold a special place for me in my heart and soul because it is the song my wife and I chose for our first dance at our wedding. It was just so melodic, ballady and slow, yet still so heavy and powerful, we simply could not imagine not having it be a part of our music selection for the wedding reception.)

Well, there you have it. A solid introduction into the world of folk metal. I truly hope you enjoyed reading and listening, and I also hope that this music has given you a new outlook on metal music as a whole. Remember.... just because some metal isn't for you doesn't necessarily mean that NONE of it is for you. As with many other aspects of everyday life, it is all just a matter of keeping an open mind, discovering and trying new things, and sustaining an optimistic outlook on anything and everything you do or try. Thank you for taking the time to read, and as always.... Stay Metal. \m/

Cheers,

- @damiancraymond

P.S.: Want to discover MORE metal? Haven't had the chance to read my previous posts on metal and don't know where to start? Fear not! Here are the links to all of my "Metal Music For Beginners Series" posts! \m/

Introduction

https://steemit.com/music/@damiancraymond/metal-music-for-beginners-m

Volume I

https://steemit.com/music/@damiancraymond/metal-music-for-beginners-series-volume-i

Volume II

https://steemit.com/music/@damiancraymond/metal-music-for-beginners-series-volume-ii

Volume III

https://steemit.com/music/@damiancraymond/metal-music-for-beginners-series-volume-iii