Folk Metal

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 24, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, Viking Metal, 24 comments

“After releasing the sequel to their debut record in 2017, things have been quiet on the Vintersorg front. But now they are back with Vattenkrafternas spel sets out to take that same infusion of the Vintersorg of old with the Vintersorg of new that we heard from Till fjälls del II. Which I can’t complain about, considering I love it when the band knocks out some of those nasty black metal licks. Not that they have abandoned those influences in the last decade or so, but it’s a touch more prevalent on Vattenkrafternas spel. But, how far will they go, and how well will it work?” Early vinter chills.

Terra Atlantica – Oceans Review

Terra Atlantica – Oceans Review

By Kenstrosity on September 23, 2025 in Reviews, Folk Metal, Power Metal, Symphonic Metal, 54 comments

“I had almost forgotten about German four-banger Terra Atlantica since I last covered them five years ago. Once my memory refreshed, I recalled what compelled me to snag Age of Steam in the first place: my love for steampunk. Far from the most dedicated—and perhaps even farther away from the best—piece of media based on that universe, Terra Atlantica nonetheless did sound appropriately grounded in a world propelled by superheated water. But their songwriting was too inconsistent to make a big splash with this sponge. With follow-up Oceans in tow, is their hope that Terra Atlantica will hoist my sails properly this time?” From steam to water power.

Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away Review

Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away Review

By Killjoy on September 22, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 23 comments

“Like a specter emerging from the mist, Æl-Fierlen is a brand new post-black metal act that materialized in Southern England in 2024. Their name comes from an Anglo-Saxon phrase meaning “all is far away,” making their debut something of an eponymous record. This phrase resonates with me because, despite living so close to many wonderful outdoor locations, I don’t make nearly as much time as I ought to experience them. As if beckoning to me, Æl-Fierlen sums up their sound with the simple declaration, “We are what the woods sounds like.”” What does the oak say?

Burden of Ymir – The Long Winter Review

Burden of Ymir – The Long Winter Review

By Twelve on August 31, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 22 comments

“Joe Caswell of Sudbury, Canada first caught the attention of this blog in 2023, as the sole member of Drowstorm and Burden of Ymir. Both projects released albums in 2023, impressing all who wrote about them. In my case, Heorot was a fantastic introduction to the latter band, a blackened-yet-folky display of Viking metal that appealed to both my appreciation for mythologically-themed metal and my long-held belief that the accordion is the most metal of all the instruments. Now, just over two years later, Burden of Ymir return with its sixth full-length release (in as many years!): The Long Winter, with an album cover that promises just as much blackened goodness as we’ve come to hope for.” Summer’s end.

Völur & Cares – Breathless Spirit Review

Völur & Cares – Breathless Spirit Review

By Twelve on August 1, 2025 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Drone, Folk Metal, 17 comments

“”Avant-garde doom metal from Canada. Do I really need to say more to pique your interest?” So said I a little under five years ago, closing out my Things You Might Have Missed feature for Völur’s Death Cult. The Toronto-based project launched itself to the top of my end-of-year list in 2020, owing to their expert fusion of an impressive blend of sounds and genres primarily rooted in doom metal. Wielding the violin like a sledgehammer, Death Cult featured intelligent, clever compositions that really impressed me in 2020. Now, at last, they’re back for their fourth full-length, Breathless Spirit, with one key change: a collaboration with Cares—UK/Canadian producer James Beardmore.” Caring a lot.

Jordfäst – Blodsdåd Och Hor Review

Jordfäst – Blodsdåd Och Hor Review

By Killjoy on July 28, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 13 comments

“Sweden is a metal country in more ways than one. As I just learned from the promo blurb for Blodsdåd Och Hor, the iron and steel industry has been an integral component of its economy and culture for centuries. Of course, Sweden is not lacking in metal from a musical standpoint either. Jordfäst is the latest of these purveyors, whose brand of melancholic black metal seeks to honor their country’s long history of metalwork and warfare, mixed with a healthy dose of Norse mythology.” Blood and iron.

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Kalaveraztekah – Nikan Axkan

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Kalaveraztekah – Nikan Axkan

By Dolphin Whisperer on June 27, 2025 in Angry Metal Guy's Unsigned Band Rodeo, Death Metal, Folk Metal, Groove Metal, 48 comments

“AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö” is a time-honored tradition to showcase the most underground of the underground—the unsigned and unpromoted. This collective review treatment continues to exist to unite our writers in boot or bolster of the bands who remind us that, for better or worse, the metal underground exists as an important part of the global metal scene. The Rodeö rides on.” Get in the death groove.