I'd say they're melodic death metal, they don't sound anything like a viking/folk metal band at all. The only relation they have to those subsub genres are the viking lyrical content.



Some great news, Emperor is coming back to the States for three concerts in L.A., Chicago and New York! I am so going to the one in L.A. Man, I thought I would miss out on them forever when they came last year, but now, I have another chance! Fuck yes!

Viking metal doesn't have a sound. It's all about the lyrical content, which is why I say it's pretty much the dumbest genre label ever.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_metal

Viking metal is a cross-genre reference usually used to describe the lyrical and thematic elements of bands rather than the music itself. The bands that are associated with viking metal cover a broad range of musical genres and influences, such as folk metal, thrash metal, death metal, black metal, and power metal.

Uh... Viking metal DOES have a sound. Admittedly that sound is little more than exagerrated folk metal/thrash, but it really doesn't just lie in the lyrical themes.

Yeah, Krelian's right Darklink. Wikipedia fails massively on many of their metal related pages.

The above is absolutely, positively correct.

I'm willing to bet we can blame the Wikipedia "DeathRocker" for around 90% of the bullshit on the metal-related pages, too... *shudders*

I think we will agree to disagree. Everywhere else I've looked for a definitive definition says viking metal means little more than the thematic content.

:wrong:

Metal more.

I'm a pretty stubborn asshole, so don't think you are going to get through to me :).

Yeah, well. You're still wrong.

Just one look at Darklink's avatar and sig is easy to determine that he really doesn't know jackshit about metal, espically in regards to viking.

Hey.

None of that now. Dethklok is awesome.

Nothing wrong with enjoying something that makes fun of metal.

It does such a horrible job at making fun of Metal IMO. It's written to appeal to american fan's who've only scraped the surface of the Euro Metal scene. The problem here isn't what are musical tastes are, but the fact that your arguing about what Viking metal is with two members on the forum who've established themselves as " viking metal heads".

I mean your main source is wikipedia for gods sake, a user edited dictionary. Wikipedia is the last place one should look for crediabilty about genres and what makes them that particular genre.

Amon Amarth are not Viking metal and anyone who has entrenched themselves in the genre even a little bit will tell you this as well.

No genre is ever based soley on lyrical content, if this notion applied to music in general. Then one could easily call Iron Maiden a Black metal band because of numerous references to satanic themes in their songs. Viking metal has a very unique sound, but it is one of those sounds which is really a bitch to describe and all one can do is really point you to artists that represent that genre and you will see that Amon Amarth are a far cry from viking metal.

Eventually, and especially with an "underground" type show, you hit the point of diminishing returns. You could make a show tailored specifically to metal pedants, but then they'd be the only ones who could really identify with it.

But you're taking the whole thing pretty seriously, which I would think is counterproductive as far as the creators of the show are concerned.

Here's another reason why the History Channel rocks.

http://www.heavilycaffeinated.com/recent1.html


Suffocation was used for a promo of the dark ages documentary coming in March. Metal.

Anyone here ever hear of a band caled Gogol Bordello? I'm not sure where they're from, but their music is a mix of like gypsy rock and metal. It's really cool stuff. Lots of Middle Eastern influence, too (so I'm assuming they're fom somewhere in the Middle East).

http://www.gogolbordello.com/

Additional Spam:
Although that's true, it's still not a very correct description of Viking Metal. It has as much to do with the lyrical content as it does the band's image, their heritage, and their beliefs (if you could call it that).

For example, an American metal band that sings about Norse Mythology and viking folklore does not equal Viking Metal.

Although I rather like Gogol Bordello, and their live show is absolutely insane, they do not by any means belong in The Metal Thread. Not even close.

So Metal Church cancelled, possibly postponed the Toronto and Montreal dates due to illness.

How dare they ruin my week-end by falling sick. :(

That sucks man.

I can see the Viking Metal argument has pretty much ended but there's allot more to it than simply Viking themed lyrics. It's probably better I leave it there before I start ranting and foaming at the mouth.
On to other things ^_^ is anyone (UK) hitting up Bloodstock this year? I've been the past two and they've been fucking brilliant.

For the purposes of this argument I'd also like to invoke the legions of HIM fans who are convinced that they are listening to something called "love metal".

-shudders- God dahm HIM fans have nearly ruined far to many good metal gigs.
More to the point isn't "love metal" a bit of a oxymoron?

Look up the term 'oxymoron'.

PS. the answer is 'no'.

I must be thinking of another word then -shrugs- I know "love metal" is not a turn of phrase.

oxymoron
noun
conjoining contradictory terms

I meant that "Love Metal" was a contradiction in terms, never mind I thought I was making sense lol :D

So I'm still in my Ukrainian Black Metal phase, and after listening to Astrofaes' Those Whose Past is Immortal (which is now one of my favorite albums) for a while, I decided to give Khors a chance, since the members are all from bands I like.

Very nice stuff, I must say. Their latest album, Cold, got pretty fresh new sounds while still having the tradional Slavic Black Metal base Ukrainian bands are known for. Lots of keyboards and unusual synth sounds which gives another view on those now familiar sonic snowy landscapes. Recommended! =)

I thought the show wasn't making fun of metal; it's funny because they're fucking morons who happen to play a form of metal. It's more of a love-letter to metal that seems like an attempt to spread the love of it.

Ugh...Pain of Salvation's Scarsick...too much overt America bashing even for me. There are a couple choruses ("America", "Disco Queen") that make me cringe. The good stuff on here is basically the same old shit. I'm glad I didn't know about this album and wasn't anticipating it. I am still anticipating The Perfect Element pt. II, though.