Top 10 Non-Folk Metal Bands that Use Folk Elements
These bands aren't Folk Metal but include short folk-ish sections, particular elements influenced by folk (riff, beat, bridge, short melody) or other more subtle elements (ex., a specific scale or time signature used in the folk music of a particular region of the world).In many cases the folk elements give the song a proggy feel - Jethro Tull did it in prog rock.
By folk music I mean all ethnic / world music - local/native tunes and rhythms from all over the world.
The Top Ten
1 Blind Guardian
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing. They also incorporate large amounts of orchestral arrangements. Hansi Kürsch creates a huge choir effect by overdubbing his own... read more
Blind Guardian is a German power metal band formed in the mid-1980s in West Germany. They are often credited as one of the seminal and most influential bands in the power metal and speed metal subgenres. Heavily influenced by Queen, they use the technique of overdubbing. They also incorporate large amounts of orchestral arrangements. Hansi Kürsch creates a huge choir effect by overdubbing his own... read more Songs:
Wheel of Time, Mirror Mirror, Nightfall, Somewhere Far Beyond,
Mordred's Song, The Bard's Song (In the Forest), A Past and Future Secret, Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill), Turn the Page, Curse My Name, Skalds and Shadows, and more.
2 Nile
Nile is an American technical death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, United States, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and ancient art, as well as the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
Nile is an American technical death metal band from Greenville, South Carolina, United States, formed in 1993. Their music and lyrics are inspired by Ancient Egyptian/Near Eastern mysticism, history, religion, and ancient art, as well as the works of H.P. Lovecraft. They use oriental tunes, Egyptian in particular (some songs are Kafir!, Evil to Cast Out Evil)
3 Children of Bodom
Children Of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen and Daniel Freyberg.
Children Of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen and Daniel Freyberg. They use folk elements quite often (ex. - Kissing the Shadows)
4 Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Their first album, Morbid Visions presented a proto-black metal sound with Wagner Lamounier of Sarcófago. Sepultura's sound varies by the album, from thrash metal, groove metal, and even death metal.
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte. Their first album, Morbid Visions presented a proto-black metal sound with Wagner Lamounier of Sarcófago. Sepultura's sound varies by the album, from thrash metal, groove metal, and even death metal. Brazilian native music rhythms
5 Angra
Angra is a Brazilian power metal band formed in São Paulo in 1991. The band gained international acclaim for their unique blend of power metal, progressive rock, and elements of traditional Brazilian music. Their technical proficiency is often highlighted, especially their intricate guitar work and complex song structures. Angra has been influential in the South American metal scene, contributing... read more
Angra is a Brazilian power metal band formed in São Paulo in 1991. The band gained international acclaim for their unique blend of power metal, progressive rock, and elements of traditional Brazilian music. Their technical proficiency is often highlighted, especially their intricate guitar work and complex song structures. Angra has been influential in the South American metal scene, contributing... read more They often include flamenco or/and Brazilian native music (songs - The Shadow Hunter, Caveman, Unholy Wars)
6 Rainbow
Rainbow are a British rock band led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1993 to 1997. They were originally established with Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer and lyricist. Rainbow were ranked No. 90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. The band has sold over 28 million albums worldwide. The band's early work primarily featured mystical lyrics with a neoclassical metal style... read more
Rainbow are a British rock band led by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1993 to 1997. They were originally established with Ronnie James Dio as the lead singer and lyricist. Rainbow were ranked No. 90 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock. The band has sold over 28 million albums worldwide. The band's early work primarily featured mystical lyrics with a neoclassical metal style... read more Ethnic influences are subtle and they didn't use them often; some songs are Stargazer, Gates of Babylon (R. Blackmore used Arabic scale because both songs refer to stories happening in Arabic regions)
7 Mezarkabul
Mezarkabul (formerly known as Pentagram) is a Turkish metal band formed by Hakan Utangaç and Cenk Ünnü.
Mezarkabul (formerly known as Pentagram) is a Turkish metal band formed by Hakan Utangaç and Cenk Ünnü.
8 Nightwish
Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. It's currently formed by Tuomas, Emppu, lead vocalist Floor Jansen, bassist and vocalist Marco Hietala, multiinstrumentist and vocalist Troy Donockley, and drummer Jukka Nevalainen (currently on hiatus and... read more
Nightwish is a symphonic metal band from Kitee, Finland. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and lead singer Tarja Turunen. It's currently formed by Tuomas, Emppu, lead vocalist Floor Jansen, bassist and vocalist Marco Hietala, multiinstrumentist and vocalist Troy Donockley, and drummer Jukka Nevalainen (currently on hiatus and... read more Song - The Siren (with oriental influence)
9 Flametal
They use flamenco elements in every song
10 Terasbetoni
Teräsbetoni is a Finnish power metal band formed in 2002. They got their first recording contract thanks to a petition, started by excited fans who wanted a recording contract for the band and sent it to several record companies. In 2008 Teräsbetoni represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, with their song 'Missä miehet ratsastaa'... read more
Teräsbetoni is a Finnish power metal band formed in 2002. They got their first recording contract thanks to a petition, started by excited fans who wanted a recording contract for the band and sent it to several record companies. In 2008 Teräsbetoni represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, with their song 'Missä miehet ratsastaa'... read more I put them last because for me they are on the borderline of power metal and folk metal but still more power metal than folk metal. They are very good.
Songs with folk elements - Missä Miehet Ratsastaa, Paha Sanoo, Metalliolut
The Contenders
11 Amorphis
Amorphis is a Finnish metal band formed in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they have evolved into playing other genres, such as folk metal and progressive metal.
Amorphis is a Finnish metal band formed in 1990. Initially, the band was a death metal act, but on later albums they have evolved into playing other genres, such as folk metal and progressive metal.
12 Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish progressive death metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Akerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which lead to Mikael becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force. Along with Edge of Sanity, Opeth is credited with being the first progressive death metal band, although they... read more
Opeth is a Swedish progressive death metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Akerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which lead to Mikael becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force. Along with Edge of Sanity, Opeth is credited with being the first progressive death metal band, although they... read more
13 Numenor
14 Alestorm
Alestorm is a heavy metal band originally from Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result they have been dubbed a "pirate metal" band by many critics and their fanbase.
Alestorm is a heavy metal band originally from Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result they have been dubbed a "pirate metal" band by many critics and their fanbase.BAdd New Item