Top 10 Best Viking Metal Bands

Viking metal brings the epic battles, ancient sagas, and raw beauty of Norse mythology to life through music. The genre blends the crushing power of heavy metal with the atmospheric and sometimes folk-inspired sounds that evoke the spirit of warriors, gods, and the unyielding forces of nature. It's a genre born from passion, storytelling, and a deep connection to the past.

This list showcases bands that have carved a unique space in the Viking metal scene. Whether they lean heavily on death metal, black metal, or folk elements, each one contributes to the genre's fierce energy and imaginative storytelling.

The Top Ten

Bathory

Bathory was a Swedish black and Viking metal band formed in 1983 by Quorthon, with Jonas Åkerlund among its earliest members. The band's first four albums are credited with laying the groundwork for Scandinavian black metal. Quorthon is often cited as a pioneer of the genre's signature shrieking vocal... read more

Contrary to popular belief, Viking metal is not defined by lyrical content. Amon Amarth is not Viking metal because their sound is pure melodeath. Viking metal has a distinct sound, and Bathory epitomizes it.
Bathory invented Viking metal and created some of the best songs in the genre: Shores in Flames, Blood Fire Death, A Fine Day to Die, Valhalla, One Rode to Asa Bay, Twilight of the Gods, Under the Runes, The Lake, Lake of Fire, Nordland, Ring of Gold, Forever Dark Woods, Death and Resurrection of a Northern Son, The Wheel of Sun, and many more. If Quorthon hadn't been taken from us too soon, we'd have even more. To get into this genre, check out Bathory, along with Ensiferum, TYR, and Enslaved.
Amon Amarth

Amon Amarth is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Tumba, formed in 1992. The band's name is taken from the Sindarin name for Mount Doom in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. Amon Amarth is known for its Viking-themed lyrics and has released several acclaimed albums, including Twilight of the Thunder... read more

I love this band! Usually, I'm not a big fan of growling, but Hegg makes it interesting and almost melodic. The ridiculous speed of their songs is incomparably epic. If you're going for Viking metal, Amon Amarth is a versatile band that any metal lover can enjoy.

People argue that Amon Amarth is melodic death metal and not Viking metal, but come on guys, all they sing about is Vikings. They're Viking metal. And just because Bathory was the first Viking metal band doesn't mean they're the best. Amon Amarth does Viking metal the best.
Ensiferum

Ensiferum is a Finnish folk metal band based in Helsinki. The group blends traditional folk melodies with melodic heavy metal. The members describe Ensiferum as a "melodic folk metal" band, and the group is known for integrating Finnish folk influences into its music.

Maybe the best Viking metal band now.

The best of Vikings, obviously.
Tyr

Týr is a Faroese heavy metal band. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around Viking lore, mythology, and history, and their name comes from the Norse god Týr. The band blends traditional Faroese music with metal and often sings in both English and Faroese.

Tyr are the kings of the Faroe Islands. They have Viking metal classics like Blood of Heroes and By the Sword in My Hand. They've also provided heavy metal spins on Faroese traditional ballads, my personal favorites being Turið Torkilsdóttir and Ragnars Kvæði. It's the best form of Faroese cultural exchange ever!
Enslaved

Enslaved is a Norwegian extreme metal band formed in Haugesund in June 1991. They later relocated to Bergen, Norway, which became their base of operations. The band is known for blending black metal with progressive and Viking metal elements, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated global fan base.

Very good band. I love how they mix progressive metal with black/Viking metal.

As Fire Swept Clean the Earth is one of the greatest songs in all of metal.
Falkenbach

Falkenbach is a German Viking and pagan metal project whose name means "Falconbrook" in German.
Founded in 1989 by Vratyas Vakyas, who remains the sole permanent member, Falkenbach is considered one of the earliest bands in the Viking metal genre. The project blends black metal with folk influences... read more
Turisas

Turisas is a Finnish metal band from Hämeenlinna that has been on hiatus since 2022. They were founded in 1997 by Mathias Nygård and Jussi Wickström and named after an ancient Finnish god of war. Turisas is known for its theatrical live performances and use of folk instruments, contributing to its distinct... read more

Turisas is often overlooked. Their album The Varangian Way got me into death metal with folk influences and Viking metal. They definitely should be higher on this list.
Finntroll

Finntroll is a folk metal band from Helsinki, Finland. The band is known for blending elements of black metal with Finnish polka, traditional folk melodies, and lyrics sung mostly in Swedish. Formed in 1997, Finntroll stands out for its unusual style and theatrical performances.
Einherjer
Equilibrium

Equilibrium is a German folk metal band known for blending multiple metal subgenres. The band's music incorporates elements of folk metal, Viking metal, symphonic black metal, and, more recently, metalcore, often accompanied by themes drawn from Germanic tales and mythology. Formed in 2001, Equilibrium... read more

Everything they put out is amazing. They should be much higher on this list.

If you're new to this band, check out the album "Sagas."

The Newcomers

?
Ancient Rites
?
Helheim

The Contenders

Månegarm
Skálmöld

Absolutely the purest form of Viking metal!

Amon Amarth is my favorite melodic death band. Simply the best.

They just sound beautiful, and the lyrics are in Icelandic, which always sounds great.
Mithotyn

In my opinion, this band has power, melody, and essential Viking traits.
Windir

Windir was a black metal band from Sogndal, Norway. The band combined black metal with folk music and themes drawn from Norse mythology. It was founded by Valfar, whose real name was Terje Bakken, in 1994 and disbanded after his death in 2004.

Windir is famous for its brutal black and Viking metal songs, mixed with melodic intervals and both harsh and clean singing in English, Bokmål (standard Norwegian), and Sognamål dialect (native to the band's origins). This style, known as Sognametal by many fans, is carried on by other bands from the same area like Sigtyr, Feign, Mistur, and Cor Scorpii. Windir would undoubtedly be legendary today if frontman Valfar hadn't died in a snowstorm. While band members later formed Vreid, the new band was good but lost the Sognametal/Viking spark that Valfar brought. If you've never heard of them, listen to their final three albums, which are considered masterpieces.
Brothers of Metal
Manowar

Manowar is an American heavy metal band from Auburn, New York, formed in 1980. The group is known for lyrics inspired by fantasy, mythology, and epic themes. Its music is commonly associated with heavy metal and power metal. The band is also known for its distinctive slogan, "Death to false metal."
Heidevolk

Amazing band. One of my favorites.
Thyrfing
Moonsorrow

Moonsorrow is a pagan metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in 1995. The band incorporates elements of black metal and folk metal into its sound, creating long, epic compositions. It is known for lyrical themes inspired by Finnish mythology and history.

If you haven't heard this band, check them out now!
King of Asgard

Amon Amarth is definitely at the top of Viking metal, closely followed by King of Asgard.
Kampfar

Kampfar is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1994. Known for incorporating folklore and pagan themes into their music, they blend traditional black metal with distinctive Scandinavian influences.
Their work often includes Norwegian lyrics and has earned them a strong following in the Scandinavian... read more

They are better than all others. Period.
Arkona
Vintersorg
Kylfingar
Bifrost