Celtic METAL!!

[siva011]

As long as we are talking about folk metal in general, TYR is a great band to look into.

Also just missed Tyr in my area at the same show as Eluveitie. For all those that don't know them they do an interesting version of "the Wild Rover"

What could there be that is 'Celtic' about a metal band? When you get beyond the imagery, the swords, the pagan mysticism, or whatever persona the group puts out there, what will make the music 'Celtic' in nature? It's not even who the band members are.

What makes any band Celtic? In metal, the phrase "Celtic Metal" refers to a genre of folk metal that uses Celtic influence. The best example of this is Cruachan. If you were to remove the metal guitars, you wouldn't think any different of them than you would most of the other bands listed in this fourum. Many of these bands use bagpipes, bodhran, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, (and in Cruachan's case, Shane MacGowan) and the only thing that really makes them metal is they use distorted guitars as their rhythm section.

Once could actually argue that Cruachan isn't celtic infused metal, but rather metal infused celtic. On the other side, Heol Telwen has their primary focus on metal, with tin whistle woven throughout. It seems that regardless of the genre the main focus of their music falls under, as soon as a band plays one heavy guitar riff they are labeled as metal.

But if we can argue how can a metal band be celtic, then we can say the same for any music. How are bagpipes, which originated in the arabic world, considered celtic? I would say it's the feel. You can easily tell the difference between Arabic music, Greek music, Celtic music, Jazz, Japanese, etc... You can hear that element that makes each one unique. Listening to these bands above, the element you hear is very remenicent of Celtic music. Maybe saying "Celtic Metal" is a misnomer, but if you listen you will hear why it is called that.

The best thing to do for this and all music is just to listen!

[Kilted_MJM]

In defense of the use of the label ‘Celtic’ to any music, we will all agree that we have no recording of music of the Celts per se. That style of music we now regard as ‘Celtic’ is the indigenous music of people with Celtic origins. I appreciate the argument of influence. Certainly many of these accomplished metal musicians have taken from what is deemed ‘Celtic’ and brought it into their genre. If their music is then called ‘Celtic’ metal, so be it; however, when we take the word ‘Celtic’ and apply it to constructs of our own time, whether it be literature, art, crafts, clothing, etc., there is often more fiction that fact in the appellation.

[siva011]

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."

[Wolf]

I'm not going to enter the debate of how celtic Celtic Metal is (ok, maybe just a little) but for me the name Celtic Metal designs bands with more or less strong links to the Celtic culture, they aren't exactly Celtic. Putting a specific genre on a band is also a way to give someone an idea what they should expect from a band. The name is often take from a detail in said genre, for example the name of the black metal genre comes from a Venom album, this doesn't means that every black metal recording has exactly the same sound as this Venom album (luckily!), in the same way I think that a metal band of the Celtic metal genre doesn't necessarily needs to be 100% Celtic. Classifying a band is also no exact science so of course not everyone can agree.

Now to add my 2 cents to some of the great bands I have seen listed here, of those listed Falkenbach and Eluvetie are my favorite, I'd also list Primordial.

Also give Heidevolk, Myrkgrav, Ulver (the first three albums) and Helrunar a try if you like this kind of music, they're more Folk and Pagan/Black metal, but hell I'll still list them anyway.

If you want to learn something about a metal band go check www.metal-archives.com, however they don't list grind, hardcore, metalcore, neometal and hardrock (of course there are exceptions) *** they have to draw a line somewhere on what is metal and what is not.

[sharpdressedscot]

... Classifying a band is also no exact science so of course not everyone can agree....


If you want to learn something about a metal band go check www.metal-archives.com, however they don't list grind, hardcore, metalcore, neometal and hardrock (of course there are exceptions) *** they have to draw a line somewhere on what is metal and what is not.

Yes, of course, not everyone will agree with it. That's why I don't like the metal-archives, I could say a few things about them but not here, who gave them the power to say who is metal or who is not? But let's not get further away from the point of the thread, PM if you wish to engage into this further.

Has anyone mentioned Geasa? I didn't see it. They're not necesarily 'Celtic' more as an Irish Death metal band, but they do have lyrics and involve folklore and stuff. So I guess it's a death metal band with some celtic influences??

[siva011]

Also give Heidevolk, Myrkgrav, Ulver (the first three albums) and Helrunar a try if you like this kind of music, they're more Folk and Pagan/Black metal, but hell I'll still list them anyway.

I'd have to rank Ulver's Kveldssanger album as one of my all time favorites. Floored me the first time I heard it, especially compared with some of their others.

[Nick the DSM]

i wouldn't trust metal archives as a source, they wouldn't know whats metal if it hit them with face melting riffs and pounding drums.

what makes celtic metal is that it incorporates celtic mythology, elements of traditional music, folk instruments and metal with folk that emphazises as celtic.

[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.