Celtic METAL!!

[sharpdressedscot]

Absolutely right, we have no record of "Celtic" music if we are referring to the people who originally settled Ireland and Scotland and so forth. It wasn't ever intended to imply a connection with the ancient Celts, but rather an influence from the folk music of these lands that we have come to call "Celtic". When we say "celtic music" today, many think of Irish pub songs, some think of Danny Boy, some think of pipe bands, others fiddle tunes, and some think of more modern Celtic such as The Pogues or Gaelic Storm. Not many consider it the actual music played by the ancient Celtic people. It is from this where "Celtic Metal" comes from.

Again, calling it Celtic Metal may be somewhat of a misnomer, but it is so much easier to say and relate to than saying "Metal with influences from the traditional and recent music of the people of Ireland, Scotland, and the surronding areas."

Exactly, I think some people miss the point of the labeling. There's viking metal but we don't know what music the vikings played, yet, the music is about vikings and has some Scandinavian folk music influences infused with metal.

And I don't think Celtic means Irish or Scottish, remember in the pre-Roman times the Celts were practically everywhere.

[Ealisaid]

KMJM--

What then would make a band Celtic? Celtic imagery and mythology and the use of Celtic instruments and musical forms can be introduced into metal. Would that make it not metal any more? I don't think so. Germanic heathen metal is fabulous-- why not Celtic?

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

Wow! This thread got a little deep since I last looked at it.

I love "Folk" Metal!

[Daibhidh O'Baoighill]

Here is a link to "Inis Mona" by Eluveitie. I like the use of the bagpipe, hurdy-gurdy, fiddle, and flute in the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iijKLHCQw5o

[Asator]

First off, I have to say that I dont really ever break down folk metal into any seperate genres like celtic metal or what have you. To me, its all folk metal. If they use folk instruments or they sing folk songs set to metal, they are folk metal. Tyr, for example, plays "Regin Smidur", a nearly millennia old traditional folk ballad set to heavy metal music. Ta-da! Folk metal! Thats the kind of description that is hard to argue. Cruachan uses folk instruments and they sing of stories found in traditional folktales. Ta-da! Folk metal! Sometimes I'll say "They are a folk metal band with ____ influences". That tends to help a little.

But thats just me.

And like someone else said, we have no idea what kind of music the vikings may have made but there are still bands who infuse viking/nordic content into their lyrics and are considered "viking metal". So in our ignorance of what the vikings may or may not have done, does that mean that Amon Amarth must be refered to as a "melodic death metal" band? Personally, I think the term "viking metal" gives a person a pretty good idea of what they are all about. Same thing with "pirate metal" bands like Alestorm. Of course what they play isnt going to be what actual pirates listened to, but that descriptive gives a person a pretty good idea what to expect - songs about sailing, drinking, treasure, swords, parrots, wooden apendages... you get the idea.

Genre names are not necessarily always spot on, but are sometimes just used to give an idea of what a person may expect if they check out a band. When someone says a "celtic metal band", most people get some sort of an idea of what may be in store.


As for some bands, I have a ton of favs. Most have been brought up already like, Eluveitie, Waylander, Falkenbach, Elvenking, Skiltron, Cruachan, Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Tyr, Geasa, but there a good deal of folk metal bands that I'd like to mention, even if they dont exactly have any celtic overtones.

Skyclad
Turisas
Moonsorrow
XIV Dark Centuries
Glittertind
Ensiferum
Vintersorg (pre-Cosmic Genesis)
Otyg
Pagan Reign
Obtest
Alestorm
Mago De Oz
Suidakra
Svartsot
Folkearth
Alkonost
Schandmaul
Skyforger
Orphaned Land
Aes Dana
Runic
Dunwich
Wolfchant
Tengwar


And for any of you guys who missed the Paganfest tour with Ensiferum, Turisas, Tyr and Eluvitie... you missed one hell of a show.

-Asator

[sharpdressedscot]

I think metal has too many subgenres...what am I saying? There's never too much.


You went to that show? Lucky son of a.

[Derek Conley]

Anyone ever heard of Celtic Legacy out of Ireland? Good stuff. Their 10-minute epic Resurrection is very cool; gotta be patient though, as it has a long intro.

Just checked out Heol Telwen now and am liking it...

[Nick the DSM]

yeah, man, those guys are awesome!

[Downix]

Reading this I was surprised at the missing of one of the larger Celtic Metal offerings, KoRN. They utilize traditional celtic mucial forms in their metal act, as well as traditional instruments and c'mon, the lead singer goes up on stage in kilt w/ sporran.

[Derek Conley]

Good points. I'm not a fan, but the pipes/kilt/sporran, etc, are undeniable.