Folk Metal

Velothian – Mythic Dawn Review

By Mystikus Hugebeard on February 16, 2026 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 31 comments

“If, like me, you played a lot of the original Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006), then you might agree that the game has a nigh unbeatable vibe. The densely forested hills rolling into the distance, the subtle call of a nearby Nirnroot, the grossly overconfident mudcrabs, the endearing jank of two townspeople conversing like they’ve only just discovered human language; it’s a distinctly cozy high fantasy setting that feels like home in a way few modern games could hope to replicate. Thus, I was excited to learn that Velothian, the epic post-black metal act that was previously featured on the 2024 EP Roundup for their Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind-themed EP Path of the Incarnate, now draws from Oblivion as inspiration for their debut full-length, Mythic Dawn.” Scroll goals.

Stuck in the Filter: November/December 2025’s Angry Misses

By Kenstrosity on February 11, 2026 in Reviews, Stuck in the Filter, Death Metal, Deathcore, Djent, Experimental Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, Synthwave, Technical Death Metal, 65 comments

2025 is fading in the rearview, but the Filters still need scrubbing. See what was left over after all the holiday debauchery.

Coronatus – Dreadful Waters Review

By Andy-War-Hall on February 1, 2026 in Reviews, Folk Metal, Symphonic Metal, 22 comments

“Like a sailor’s call to the sea, I am routinely compelled to the sub-genre of symphonic metal in all of its be-corset-ed miscellany. Why? Maybe I need a break from dudes singing ugly for ladies singing pretty. Maybe falling for Seven Spires justified my continued curiosity in the style. Maybe I’ve never been as happy as I was discovering Imaginaerum in high school. Regardless, the call brought me now to the German symphonic group Coronatus and their new record, Dreadful Waters.” Symphonies of Same Ness.

Weft – The Splintered Oar Review

By Killjoy on January 25, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, 30 comments

“Black metal and the violin go together like peanut butter and jelly, which makes it particularly exciting when an artist who is accomplished in both steps forward. Weft is the solo endeavor of Charlie Anderson, the live violinist for Panopticon. His debut album, The Splintered Oar, is one of two releases by Bindrune Recordings on the weekend before the beginning of Listurnalia 2025. Nevertheless, this is a record that should not go unnoticed during the time of year when many of us have adopted either a backward- or forward-looking mindset.” Black strings and negative feelings.

Equilibrium – Equinox Review

By Samguineous Maximus on December 3, 2025 in Reviews, Electronic Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Metalcore, 29 comments

“More than almost any other metal niche, folk metal has to walk a treacherously thin line between “actually good music” and “full-body cringe.” For every band that can fuse arena-sized melodies with genuine folk charm, there are three more tumbling headfirst into the Neckbeard Abyss™, condemned to soundtrack the Nordic-themed house parties of Reddit mods everywhere. Equilibrium has stood proudly on both sides of that divide. Their early triumphs of Turis Frayter and Sagas were mead-soaked romps packed with syrupy pagan hooks and enough triumphant Bjoriffs to level a longhouse, but ever since, the spark has dimmed, and each new release has brought diminishing returns.” Balance restored?

Änterbila – Avart Review

By Grin Reaper on November 30, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 27 comments

“Billed as blackened folk metal and boasting a sound that will remind listeners of the aughts-era Darkthrone, Änterbila returns with sophomore album Avart. Three years removed from their self-titled debut, the foursome from Gävleborg County, Sweden, retains the core sonic principles of Änterbila and dunks them into the muck, invoking a darker, grimier aura.” Darker thrones?

Waldgeflüster – Knochengesänge I and Knochengesänge II Review

By Killjoy on November 11, 2025 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal, Not Metal, 10 comments

“Waldgeflüster has been around for a while. Based in Bavaria, Germany and led by Winterherz, they’ve been weaving nature-themed atmospheric black metal since 2009. Waldgeflüster has passed through the hands of several atmoblack aficionados before me. El Cuervo enjoyed the Panopticon / Waldgeflüster split in 2016 but was less impressed by Ruinen later that year. Doom_et_Al found 2021’s Dahoam to be disappointing and unmemorable. Waldgeflüster used the four years since then to create double albums Knochengesänge I and Knochengesänge II. I is a more traditional atmoblack record, while II is a reconstruction of the same melodies from the standpoint of various non-metal musical genres. An intriguing idea, to be sure. Is Knochengesänge so nice you’ll want to listen to it twice?” Knoch two times.

Cemican – U k’u’uk’ankil Mayakaaj Review

By Kenstrosity on October 30, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, Folk Metal, Heavy Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 32 comments

“Hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico, folk-death septet Cemican caught my attention way back in 2019 with their third record, In Ohtli Teoyohtica In Miquiztli. Boasting strong riffcraft and a penchant for chimeric songwriting, Cemican’s unique style and compelling subject matter challenged what I expected from the death metal scene at the time. Focused on bringing to the fore the sounds, rhythms, and even the language of pre-Mexican indigenous peoples (specifically, Mayan), Cemican’s mission serves a cultural spirit lost to time and colonialism.” Fallen empires and death.

Nine Treasures – Seeking the Absolute Review

By Andy-War-Hall on October 20, 2025 in Reviews, Alt-Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, 25 comments

“Nine Treasures has been around since 2010, and yet has always seemed like the new kid on the block. Hailing from Inner Mongolia, China, founder Ashkan Avagchuud pursued the integration of traditional Mongolian instrumentation with heavy metal since day one. Nine Treasures saw success with their first three independent releases, but also saw The Hu steal a bit of their black thunder by becoming a global hit with their take on Mongolian folk metal.” Culture war.