Themes: Nature, Ukrainian History, Folk Lore and Poetry
Drudkh is a very secretive band, even as far as Black Metal standards go. They have given no interviews and have not released the lyrics to several of their albums. Their music is a combination of Black and Folk metal influences with a heavy focus on natural ambiance. The band was formed by Roman Saenko, a prolific metal musician. He is the leading member behind Hate Forest, Dark Ages and Blood of Kingu.
This video captures both the beauty of the Norwegian Landscape and Spirit. Eliwagar is a band that honors the forefathers and folk tales of Norway. However, Eliwagar is different from many Norse Folk bands in that they are discussing a tradition in Norway that existed BEFORE the Germanic influenced Thor and Odin came to Norse lands.
This is the original Norse Religion of Ullr “Father Sky” and Njarthar “Mother Earth.” Much like the rivers that flow from the beginning of the world, the music of Eliwagar seeks to flow from the ancient and original source of Norse Tradition.
According to ancient Norse Lore, in the beginning there was only fire and ice. When the two met together, they created the first 11 rivers, known as Eliwagar: The rivers that existed at the beginning of the world.
The meaning and existence of Eliwagar is very much connected to the idea of living close to the land and nature. In their songs you can hear the hardanger fiddle, cello, flute and praises sung to Ullr and Njarthar, along with some guitar playing. Check out the links below for more information about Eliwagar and the Old Ways.
In a Land of Never Ending Conflict, Jewish Muslim Metal Steps In To Tell Its Story
Location: Batyam, Israel
Genre: Doom/Death/Middle Eastern Folk
Themes: Abrahamic Religions, unity, peace
In this video Orphaned Land plays live with a famous belly dancer from Lebanon. Orphaned Land is an Israeli band that is working to bridge the gap between Jewish and Arabic people via music. Where Religion and Politics fail, the metal will prevail!
Lyrical Themes: Celtic, History, War, Anti-Christian
Location: London/Goderich, Ontario
Deep in the snowy bowels of Canada…and London…a group of warriors combined forces to bring the world Celtic Metal/Folk Metal Music. They incorporate melodies produced by real Celtic instruments into their sound. The bagpipes always make me feel battle ready. It must be in the blood. So if you are a warrior soul, put some Battlesoul on your ipod and rock out to the bagpipes.
Do you and your warrior buddies need a jolly drinking song to bonk heads to in the woods? Check out this Korpiklaani classic. They are a Finnish Folk Metal Band that writes songs about mythical stories, nature and of course drinking – that is, when they are not wrastlin in the woods. Korpiklaani itself is Finnish for “clan of warriors.” They look like they had a lot of fun in the making of this video; especially the guy on the left banging the drum with a stick. So take a swig of the nearest mead or grog you can find and party in the woods like you just don’t care. If this isn’t what being a Pagan Warrior is about, I don’t know what is.
“Herjan!!!
While twilight covers the blood red skies
While the sun sets the shores aflame
There is one thing only which never dies
The honour of thy name”
Metal Gaia 