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Folk metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal that incorporates elements of folk music.
Different Styles
There are many different forms of folk metal, due to the many varying folk traditions throughout the world. One thing to note also, however, is the fact that different forms of metal are combined with these folk traditions also. For instance, the band Mael Mordha combine Gaelic/Irish folk music with doom metal, whilst another Celtic metal band, Geasa (and their brother band, Primordial) combines Irish folk with black metal. Whilst the two folk sounds may sound similar, the actual metal is different. Bands, however, are usually grouped according to their folk stylings.
Popularity
Folk metal bands often have no commercial success in the country of their origin, whilst at the same time being considered a huge band commercially in other countries. Examples of this are the northumbrian folk metal band Skyclad, who have had no successes in the UK, but lots of followers in continental Europe and South America, or Celtic Metal band Cruachan, who have had no big successes in Ireland, and yet being a big success in Russia. Overall though, folk metal is seen by a lot of people as nothing more than a novelty. The bands themselves may wish to see a fusing of their native culture to more modern Heavy Metal music, but to many people who don't understand this, the bands are nothing more than curiosities. This is in sharp contrast to many critics who have praised the technical skill of groups like Skyclad, Waylander, Cruachan, Vintersorg, Finntroll and Elvenking. Unfortunately as the popularity of Folk music in many countries declines, so to does the interest in folk metal. One thing which has been achieved by the fusion however has been interest in native Celtic and Viking culture and music. Many Metal fans who discovered folk metal have since went on to become fans of pure folk bands.
Proponents of Folk Metal
The proponents of folk metal are undoubtably Skyclad, but the genre wasn't really popularised until bands like Cruachan, Otyg, Windir, and Tuatha de Danann in the mid to late 90s. Eastern Europe is also home to numerous folk-influenced black metal bands, the most prominent of whom are Graveland and Nokturnal Mortum.
Folk metal bands
See also Viking Metal, Celtic Metal, Oriental Metal
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