folk metal
Fiddles meet distortion
Folk metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that incorporates traditional folk music elements—acoustic instruments like fiddles, flutes, hurdy-gurdies, and bagpipes alongside distorted guitars and aggressive vocals.
Lyrics often draw on mythology, paganism, and national folklore.
The style emerged in Europe in the 1990s, with regional variants emphasizing different folk traditions: Nordic, Celtic, Slavic, and others.
Adjust restlessly; folk violin
- bagpipesDroning wind instrument
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- hurdy-gurdyCranked wheel-friction chordophone
- tin whistleMetal folk flute
mandolin · bouzouki · bodhran · balalaika · flute · dulcimer · lyre · shawm
Non-mainstream religion follower
- vikingMedieval Nordic raider
- druidAncient Celtic priest-scholar
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
- legendUnverified traditional tale
lore · epic · pantheon · mythos · fable · runes · gods · heroes
Inherent quality or disposition
- forestTree-dense ecosystem
- mountainsTall elevated landmasses
- battleArmed military engagement
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
homeland · drinking · feasting · seasons · harvest · winter · sea · warriors
Strength or force level
- powerEnergy transfer rate
- vigorActive physical strength
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
- spiritSoul, mood, or liquor
passion · exuberance · momentum · driving · anthemic · headbanging · moshpit · revelry
Musically pleasing to hear
- harmoniesPleasing combined pitches
- chantRepetitive rhythmic phrase
- balladNarrative poem or song
- anthemOfficial song of praise
galloping · growling · clean vocals · riffs · distortion · acoustic · orchestral · epic
fiddle
Adjust restlessly; folk violin
- bagpipesDroning wind instrument
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- hurdy-gurdyCranked wheel-friction chordophone
tin whistle · mandolin · bouzouki · bodhran · balalaika · flute · dulcimer · lyre · shawm · morin khuur
pagan
Non-mainstream religion follower
legend · lore · epic · pantheon · mythos · fable · runes · gods · heroes · shamanic
nature
Inherent quality or disposition
ancestors · homeland · drinking · feasting · seasons · harvest · winter · sea · warriors · freedom
intensity
Strength or force level
spirit · passion · exuberance · momentum · driving · anthemic · headbanging · moshpit · revelry · celebration
melodic
Musically pleasing to hear
anthem · galloping · growling · clean vocals · riffs · distortion · acoustic · orchestral · epic · triumphant
Tyr
Norse battle deity
- hybrid genresjazz fusion, rock opera, blues rock, country rock, pop rock
- Euro MetalSerenity, Heavenly, Tyr, Labyrinth, Haggard
- FinlandHelsinki, Lapland, Finnish flag, Finnish sauna, saunas
- Heavy MetalMetallica, Megadeth, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden
- Finnish MusicSibelius, Finlandia
- folk genresbluegrass, Americana, Appalachian, old-time, mountain music
folk metalindustrial metal
Alloys for manufacturing use
industrial music · synthwave · electronic dance music · techno · EDM
metal, folk, folklore, metallic, metallurgy, nonmetallic, precious metal, folksong, folksinger