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[For Beginners] A Collection of Iconic and Popular Songs Showcasing the Appeal of Viking Metal

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

When you hear the term “Viking metal,” what kind of music do you imagine? As the name suggests, it’s a genre of heavy metal themed around the history and mythology of the Norse Vikings.

It blends grand orchestral arrangements with fierce guitar riffs, creating an immersive sound that makes it feel as if scenes of ancient battles are unfolding before your eyes.

Whether you’re captivated by Norse mythology or simply curious about metal music, you’re sure to discover something new.

In this article, we’ll introduce tracks that let you fully savor the allure of Viking metal.

[A Must-See for Beginners] A Collection of Iconic and Popular Viking Metal Songs Showcasing Its Appeal (41–50)

MonsterNachtgeschrei

Nachtgeschrei – Monster – Official Musicvideo 2015

MonsterNachtgeschrei

A German band.

Even with bagpipes and hurdy-gurdy blaring, it sounds more like urban, next-generation metal than something with an oriental vibe.

The vocalist seems good enough to make a name even in a straightforward power metal band.

It’s a soulful sound that isn’t bound by genre.

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Að VetriSKÁLMÖLD

SKÁLMÖLD – Að Vetri (Official Lyric Video) | Napalm Records

Að VetriSKÁLMÖLD

An Icelandic band.

It starts with a quintessential visual and intro—great hook.

Judging from the lyrics, it’s a song of warriors marching through a land of heavy snow.

The riff work is excellent; you could probably build an entire Viking metal track just from the solo riff.

The headlong sprint in the latter half feels great, like dashing across frozen ground.

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Ångestens HögborgThyrfing

Thyrfing – Ångestens Högborg

Ångestens HögborgThyrfing

A Swedish band.

Epic, eerie-tinged melodies alternate with the vocalist’s shouts.

Then, just as the sense of valor swells, a quiet passage—and then the flute.

The structure is superb, as if a seven-minute track contains a whole tapestry of joys and sorrows.

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AhnenlandXIV Dark Centuries

XIV Dark Centuries – Ahnenland

AhnenlandXIV Dark Centuries

A German band.

While battle-themed songs are common in this genre, this track seems set in an older era.

It lacks both flashy melodies and rugged power.

In fact, it feels somewhat relaxed, but that looseness gives it a retro flavor and a distinctive character.

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Blood for the Blood GodCruachan

Cruachan – Blood for the Blood God (Official Video)

Blood for the Blood GodCruachan

An Irish band.

In the music video, the person headbanging with a sword and shield (a drum?) has an overwhelming presence, but the song itself is a neatly put-together piece of rugged power metal.

From the chugging riffs in the middle onward, the build-up into the latter half is excellent, with sharp shifts between calm and intensity.

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