Essential viking metal listening

The albums that define viking metal.

Our picks for where to start with viking metal — with a one-line read on why each one matters.

The viking metal essentials

Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.

Batavi

Heidevolk

Batavi

A triumphant blend of folk melodies and heavy metal riffs that evoke epic tales of ancient warriors.

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Two Paths

Ensiferum

Two Paths

Epic melodies collide with thunderous rhythms, creating a powerful and invigorating folk metal experience.

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10th Anniversary Live

Ensiferum

10th Anniversary Live

A rousing blend of folk melodies and thunderous metal riffs, capturing the spirit of a live celebration.

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Wodan Heerst

Heidevolk

Wodan Heerst

Epic folk metal anthems intertwine with thunderous drums and soaring melodies, evoking ancient Viking spirits.

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Norwegian Native Art

Einherjer

Norwegian Native Art

A thunderous blend of melodic riffs and epic narratives intertwined with Norse mythology.

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Far Far North

Einherjer

Far Far North

Epic melodies interweave with fierce rhythms, creating a powerful homage to Norse mythology and Viking heritage.

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Með vættum

Skálmöld

Með vættum

A thunderous blend of melodic folk and Viking metal, echoing ancient sagas through powerful instrumentation.

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Skálmöld & Sinfóníuhljómsveit Íslands

Skálmöld

Skálmöld & Sinfóníuhljómsveit Íslands

Epic orchestral arrangements intertwine with thunderous folk metal, creating a dramatic saga of Norse mythology.

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Enter My Religion

Liv Kristine

Enter My Religion

Ethereal melodies weave through haunting vocals and layered instrumentals, blending gothic and folk metal with pop sensibilities.

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Deus ex Machina

Liv Kristine

Deus ex Machina

A haunting blend of ethereal vocals and dark, atmospheric instrumentation that weaves together metal and folk influences.

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The Varangian Way

Turisas

The Varangian Way

Epic orchestration and folk melodies intertwine, creating a grand musical odyssey steeped in Viking lore.

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Turisas2013

Turisas

Turisas2013

Epic orchestration and driving rhythms merge with folk melodies, creating a cinematic metal experience.

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Vredens Tid

Månegarm

Vredens Tid

A fierce blend of black metal and traditional folk elements, evoking ancient Norse tales and epic battles.

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Dödsfärd

Månegarm

Dödsfärd

A dark tapestry of black metal and folk elements, weaving tales of Norse mythology and ancient struggles.

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Hammerheart

Bathory

Hammerheart

Epic compositions intertwine black metal ferocity with majestic viking themes and atmospheric melodies.

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Urkraft

Thyrfing

Urkraft

Epic viking metal intertwines soaring melodies with thunderous rhythms, invoking ancient Norse imagery and fierce spirit.

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The Return

Bathory

The Return

Raw and chaotic, this album unleashes a relentless assault of dark melodies and aggressive rhythms.

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Hels vite

Thyrfing

Hels vite

A dense tapestry of melodic riffs and atmospheric keyboards, steeped in Norse mythology and Viking lore.

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First War of the World

Black Messiah

First War of the World

A thunderous blend of black metal and folk elements, conjuring epic sagas with each visceral riff and haunting melody.

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The Final Journey

Black Messiah

The Final Journey

Epic melodies and harsh vocals intertwine, creating a soundscape deeply rooted in Norse mythology and dark folklore.

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...Magni Blandinn Ok Megintiri...

Falkenbach

...Magni Blandinn Ok Megintiri...

A haunting blend of atmospheric melodies and fierce black metal aggression that evokes ancient Norse mythology.

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Maledictus Eris

Svartsot

Maledictus Eris

A thunderous blend of melodic riffs and folk-inspired elements that evoke epic tales of Viking lore.

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Mulmets Viser

Svartsot

Mulmets Viser

Epic melodies intertwine with thunderous rhythms, invoking ancient tales of Norse mythology and Viking valor.

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Asa

Falkenbach

Asa

A haunting blend of atmospheric black metal and evocative folk melodies that transports listeners to ancient realms.

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Adjacent sounds