Viking metal
The Swedish band Bathory released Blood Fire Death in 1988, marking a pivotal shift from Satanism to Norse mythology within heavy metal. Quorthon, the band's founder, incorporated Viking themes into songs like A Fine Day to Die and Blood Fire Death, creating an early blueprint for the genre. This album featured The Wild Hunt of Odin on its cover, a painting by Norwegian artist Peter Nicolai Arbo that depicted the Norse god Odin on a Wild Hunt. Following this release, Bathory issued Hammerheart in 1990, a concept album fully devoted to Vikings. Hammerheart included The Funeral of a Viking by Sir Frank Dicksee on its artwork, further cementing the visual identity of the emerging style. These albums inspired a generation of Nordic teens and seeded deep anti-Christian sentiment that would later culminate in violence among members of the Norwegian black metal community in the early 1990s.
Norway's Enslaved emerged as another foundational force when they formed in 1991. Their 1993 EP Hordanes Land is often cited as the first true Viking metal release. The band set out to create music devoted to retelling Norway's legends and traditions without attacking Christianity through Satanism. Their 1994 debut album Vikingligr Veldi borrowed melodies from ethnic Scandinavian folk music to lend authenticity to their fast-paced black metal sound. Bassist and vocalist Grutle Kjellson stated that it was time to reclaim the gods and goddesses of his ancestors, even if his version clashed with Christianized fairytales associated with Nordic myth. Enslaved's commitment extended to donning vintage Norse armor and outfits on stage, distinguishing them from other bands in the scene.
Varg Vikernes's one-man project Burzum also played a significant role in inspiring the Viking metal scene through strongly held racist, nationalistic, and anti-Judeo-Christian beliefs. Vikernes burned several churches, including the twelfth-century Fantoft Stave Church in Bergen, revealing the confused nature of ideas about Vikings within the Norwegian black metal scene. He adopted the name Count Grishnackh based upon an orc in The Lord of the Rings and named Burzum after a Tolkienian word for darkness. In prison, Vikernes released the book Vargsmål, which echoed the Hávamál but included references to Mein Kampf. His actions were later cloaked in an Oðinic garb as he claimed motivation to restore Norse paganism for church burnings.
Viking metal artists rely extensively on keyboards, often played at a swift galloping pace to create atmospheric effects. These musicians add local cultural flourishes such as traditional instruments and ethnic melodies to their compositions. The genre incorporates both singing and typical black metal screams and growls into its vocal styles. While similar to folk metal, Viking metal uses folk instruments less extensively than that related style. Some bands like Unleashed and Amon Amarth play death metal but incorporate Viking themes, thus being labeled part of the genre.
The term Viking metal is more of a cross-genre label than a descriptor of a certain sound since it is defined chiefly by lyrical focus rather than musical qualities. Christopher McIntosh notes that Viking metal covers a range of styles running from black metal to what might be termed classic rock. Bathory's 1990s work marked the beginning of a Viking-themed trend initially slow even confusing in formation. For example, the Austrian black metal band Abigor incorporated Viking themes and Germanic paganism in Unleashed Axe-Age, the first track on its 1994 album Nachthymnen, yet said it should not be seen as part of the upcoming Viking trend.
Faroese band Týr performs with a standard rock band lineup using electric instruments while making extensive use of traditional Faroese music in songs. Faroese ballads typically involve unusual time signatures most commonly five-four or alternative rhythms three-eight or seven-eight. In an attempt to replicate these uneven signatures, Týr often places the accent on the weak beat of the bar. Songs based on old Faroese ballads feature harmonic or melodic minor scales or mixolydian modes. The band incorporates elements from sea shanties which are largely stepwise in motion with many repeated note figures frequently sung in unison.
Album covers frequently depict Viking Age archaeological finds including Thor's hammers Oseberg posts runestones and even the Sutton Hoo helmet though this last artifact is neither Viking nor from the Viking age. Some bands incorporate far more ancient pre-medieval imagery such as Finnish band Moonsorrow's use of prehistoric rock carvings and megaliths. Other Finnish bands like Ensiferum Turisas and Korpiklaani focus on Sámi traditions and shamanism further stretching the definition of Viking metal. Not all bands rely on Viking-related visuals since members of Týr do not wear Viking costumes on stage relying instead on folk-influenced music and lyrical themes to distinguish themselves from other heavy metal bands.
Extreme loathing of Christianity had long been norm for black and death metal bands but in 1990s Bathory and many others began turning away from Satanism placing faith in Vikings Norse pantheon figures such Odin Thor and Loki and trolls and beasts. Many artists claim affiliation to modern Pagan religion of Heathenry treating Christianity as foreign influence forcibly imposed therefore wrong to be righted. Some members of Norwegian black metal scene were motivated to take violent action against this influence including church burnings by musicians Varg Vikernes Samoth Faust and Jørn Inge Tunsberg among
others.
While most bands or individuals did not go that far undercurrent of racism nationalism and anti-Semitism continues to permeate parts of black metal scene. Many Viking metal artists including Enslaved and Einherjer simply express interest in Vikings and Norse mythology entirely rejecting Satanic inclination writing almost exclusively on Norse themes without racist or anti-Semitic undertones. Whereas black metal during 1990s took militant destructive stance toward status quo Viking metal looked to past taking populist anti-system approach which eschewed violence. David Keevill argues explicitly anti-Christian attitude of most Viking metal artists is anachronistic view of Viking Age since historical reality was chequered backdrop multitude belief systems disparate political mechanisms.
Vikernes himself connected church burnings to idea resurgent Viking paganism claiming first burning Fantoft Church the 6th of June 1992 related to Number Beast due date being sixth day week sixth month sixth year. He contends date picked because first recorded Viking raid upon Lindisfarne occurred according to him the 6th of June 793. Quorthon acknowledged nationalist elements always present Viking metal scene early 1990s these elements hardened into explicit racism anti-Semitism particularly among Heathen adherents. By late 1990s Viking metal pulled back neo-Nazi direction once many musicians Oslo scene died jailed.
Some members Viking metal scene believe impossible someone be Viking unless themselves northern European descent. Members practically all Viking metal bands claim Viking ancestry directly indirectly from Scandinavia. After inception Scandinavia Viking metal spread areas historically settled Vikings including England Russia Normandy. Bands formed United States Canada with members claiming Viking descent either directly from Scandinavia through England. Scene also spread other parts Northern Europe areas united common Germanic heritage such Austria Germany Netherlands.
Austrian band Valhalla makes extensive use Viking iconography including horned helmets while Amestigon depicts wood carved scene Sigurd killing Regin
on cover Remembering Ancient Origins taken panel held Hylestad Stave Church. One first non-Nordic Viking metal bands German project Falkenbach formed 1989 primarily work front-man Vratyas Vakyas performs mixture black metal folk music lyrics drawing Western Northern European mythologies religions folk traditions. Dutch bands Heidevolk Slechtvalk Fenris labeled Viking metal though Heidevolk former vocalist Joris Boghtdrincker claims never tried play Viking card Pan-Germanic card choosing write local Dutch history instead.
Catherine Hoad finds issue national racial identity central Viking metal since definition true Viking quite rigid non-Nordic especially non-White musicians must contend with rigidity. Brazilian band Viking Throne claims legitimacy through European ancestry historical references explorations South America by Nordic countries quoting front-man Count Nidhogg saying matter where live what's really important heritage ancestry living South American country Brazil everyone has European blood. In contrast to Viking Throne band Slechtvalk well known brand Christian Viking metal rarely criticized inauthentic scene since European ethnicity enough compensate otherwise counter-intuitive music.
German literary scholar Stefanie von Schnurbein lists Viking metal one many influences Heathenry popular images Nordic myth religion influences shaped academic discourse Nordic myth. Self-defined pagan metal bands describe music Viking metal found United States Brazil Uruguay among other places. Sensationalism early Norwegian black metal scene might responsible some popularity genre greatest influence inspiration given others explore own roots. Impact particularly strong Baltic states where Viking metal influenced development distinct pagan metal scene known Baltic war metal.
Lithuanian band Obtest formed black metal band 1993 Lithuanian lyrics birthed war metal scene 1997 album Tūkstantmetis.
Michael F. Strmiska comments despite claim Scandinavia home last pagans Europe within scene point particular pride knowledge Lithuania last country all Europe officially abandon native Pagan traditions convert Christianity 1387. Latvian project Skyforger composes lyrics Latvian language another example influence Viking metal on pagan metal. Polish national socialist black metal band Graveland second album Thousand Swords released 1995 featured variety folk styles mixed band's black metal sound introduced lyrics about Polish history Slavic gods.
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Common questions
When did Bathory release Blood Fire Death and what was its significance for Viking metal?
Bathory released Blood Fire Death in 1988, marking a pivotal shift from Satanism to Norse mythology within heavy metal. This album featured The Wild Hunt of Odin on its cover and created an early blueprint for the genre by incorporating Viking themes into songs like A Fine Day to Die.
Which band released the first true Viking metal EP Hordanes Land and when was it formed?
Norway's Enslaved emerged as another foundational force when they formed in 1991 and released their 1993 EP Hordanes Land which is often cited as the first true Viking metal release. Their music set out to create sound devoted to retelling Norway's legends and traditions without attacking Christianity through Satanism.
What specific date did Varg Vikernes burn the Fantoft Stave Church and why did he choose that day?
Vikernes burned the twelfth-century Fantoft Stave Church in Bergen on the 6th of June 1992 related to Number Beast due date being sixth day week sixth month sixth year. He contends the date picked because first recorded Viking raid upon Lindisfarne occurred according to him the 6th of June 793.
How does Viking metal differ from folk metal regarding instrument usage and vocal styles?
Viking metal artists rely extensively on keyboards played at a swift galloping pace to create atmospheric effects while adding local cultural flourishes such as traditional instruments and ethnic melodies. The genre incorporates both singing and typical black metal screams and growls into its vocal styles yet uses folk instruments less extensively than folk metal.
Why do some members of the Viking metal scene claim racial identity is central to the genre?
Some members believe impossible someone be Viking unless themselves northern European descent and practically all bands claim Viking ancestry directly or indirectly from Scandinavia. Bands formed United States Canada with members claiming Viking descent either directly from Scandinavia through England while others spread areas historically settled Vikings including England Russia Normandy.