2012
has arrived and is beginning to get into full swing, with a veritable
avalanche of new music due for release in the coming months. Some of
the genre's biggest bands are represented and no doubt they will make
headlines on this particular blog and while plenty will undoubtedly be
written about those bigger bands, there will always be those young,
up-and-coming bands who make waves as well. So with that in mind,
here is a list of five bands we think you should keep your eyes on
this year, because 12 months from now they could be the genre's leading lights.
1.
WOODSCREAM
Russia
has produced some of the finest folk metal bands to grace the scene
and Woodscream appear set to be the next to build on that legacy.
Having built a hardcore following in their hometown of St Petersburg,
the band released the well-received EP Pentadrama in 2010 and
have since toured extensively throughout Eastern and Central Europe.
With a catchy and accessible sound, blending traditional hard rock
with energetic folk elements, Woodscream are exciting and fresh and,
one would think, attractive to labels. The fantastic violin work and
the crystal-clear vocals of singer Valentina Tsyganova are particular
strengths. With the release of their debut album slated for sometime
this year, expect to hear more from Woodscream in the near future.
Celtachor's
demo In the Halls of Our Ancient Fathers has been much
discussed in certain underground metal circles and the general
consensus is that this a band with much promise. The folky and
usually rather cheery sounds of the tin whistle initially seem at
odds with Celtachor's dark and heavy sound, but as the band's
ferocious black metal stylings thunder away in the background it takes
on a rather more doleful tone. It's quite a unique and surprisingly
effective premise to blend Irish folk with raw Viking metal in the
vein of Mithotyn et al. A second demo is currently in production and
if Celtachor can successfully build upon the base they have already
established this band could be on to a winner.
3.
SHANGREN
Shangren
are perhaps a case of right place at the right time. As China has
played an increasingly active role in the global economy and
politics, interest in Chinese culture has also increased. It was,
perhaps, inevitable that some metal bands would therefore begin to
blend Chinese elements into their music. Chthonic have had
considerable success with their own blend of metal and traditional
Taiwanese music and Shangren are one of many bands who seek to
emulate that success with their own mix of extreme metal and
'traditional' Chinese music. Shangren's debut EP, Warriors of
Devastation, has certainly caused quite a stir as well as
attracting interest from some well-established metal labels. This
year they release their debut album, Rise of the Dynasty, and it
seems certain that this is likely to generate even more interest.
4. NORTHLAND
For
a long time Spain's only real folk metal representative was Mägo
de Oz. Given the success of that band it is perhaps not a surprise
that a plethora of other Spanish folk metal acts have since appeared.
In any case, it's now fair to say that Spanish metal is undergoing
something of a folk metal revolution and leading the charge of new –
and heavier – bands is Northland (though honourable mentions should
also go to Celtibeerian and Drakum). Taking their inspiration from
many of the well-known Northern European bands, this is mostly
familiar stuff, though Northland do it very well, proving that they
can do it just as well as Ensiferum – though why so many Hispanic
bands appear to take their cues from Celtic and Nordic folk is a
mystery. Northland are due to record their second album this year and
if it can live up to the high standard of their debut they deserve to
be among the leading names of folk metal.
Scotland's
Falloch appear to be something of a buzz band at the moment. Their
debut album, Where Distant Spirits Remain, has probably been
the most talked-about debut folk metal album in years. And Falloch –
perhaps most accurately described as 'Agalloch meets Biffy Clyro'(!)
- will certainly divide opinion. What some hear as a thoughtful blend
of progressive post-metal with a reflective appreciation of
nature, others hear as shallow, commercial, over-produced pop-metal.
Whatever your opinion, prepare to hear a lot more about this band
throughout 2012.
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