Ten Weird Folk(ish) Metal Bands You Wouldn't Expect To Exist

By Metal Israel 505 days ago Updated 505 days ago 396 Views 0 Comments

Rate This

Introduction

Well, there's a lot of good music out there from the States, Scandinavia and England. Everyone knows that. But there's a slew of bands from strange and interesting countries you would never think would have a burgeoning metal scene - such as my own, Israel (www.metalisrael.com). Anyway, here's a list of the more notable ones....

Orphaned Land - Israel

www.myspace.com/orphanedland

Orphaned Land is an act from Israel with a progressive edge taking melodies, rhythms and other inspiration from all forms of Middle Eastern music.

Tuatha De Danaan - Brazil

www.tuathadedanann.com.br/

They're from Brazil but they would accurately be termed Celtic metal, taking their influences from Irish mythology.

Gevolt! - Yiddish Metal

www.gevolt.net

myspace.com/gevolt

I'm pretty partial to these guys myself. Russian immigrants to Israel, they sing both in Russian and Yiddish, covering Yiddish folk melodies in Rammstein-ish style.

Mago De Oz - Spain

www.magodeoz.com/

Mago De Oz has a huge following in Spain and Latin America, heavily influenced by the folk music of that culture.

Aria - Russia

www.aria.ru

Aria is Russia's Iron Maiden and are beloved throughout the former Soviet republic and anywhere there is a Russian immigrant population.

Kahtmayan - Iran

www.kahtmayan.com/

Even the Iranian regime can't squash the METAL.

Dir En Grey - Japan

www.direngrey.co.jp/

This act recently made some very scary looking noise on Headbanger's Ball to the bewilderment of many viewers.

Chthonic - Taiwan

www.myspace.com/chthonic

Chthonic is actually hailed in their home country as a cultural symbol in the fight against the Chinese for independence. Currently, they are touring with Ozzfest (that's Ozzy Osbourne's Ozzfest vs. the entertainingly labeled "Mago De Ozfest).