Viking god of music

It's no wonder heavy metal music and themes of Norse mythology and the Vikings go hand in hand for many bands. Obviously, region and cultural heritage is a huge factor, among European and Scandinavian countries, for sure. But something about the raw power, spiritualism, warfare tactics, mysticism, culture and way of life that the Vikings still resonates with modern heavy metal fans. Both can be rabid for their tribes, both are warriors at heart, and both celebrate musical rituals that connect them with the spirits. If the Vikings were around today, in their ancient form, they would be head banging and moshing along with passionate fans at metal shows. We now present our list of the 10 Best Viking Metal Bands.

10.Unleashed

Swedish death metal doesn't get much better than Unleashed, a band that came to fruition in 1989. Choosing to go against the grain within the extreme metal scene at the time, Unleashed focused many of its songs about early, pre-Christian Norse history and the Vikings. Unleashed has proven to be brutal death metal force over the years, a monstrous musical attack machine that is hellacious, and harmonious at the same time. Brutal, crushing riffs, harsh, deep demonic vocals and blast beats with wild guitar solos all come together for a sound that fits in perfect with Entombed, Bolt Thrower, Deicide and Dismember. Be sure to check out

Warrior

(1997),

Hell's Unleashed

(2002)

Sworn Allegiance

(2004)

Midvinterblot

(2006), and

Oldalheim

(2012)

9.Tyr

This band is from the Faroe Islands, which lie in the North Atlantic West of Scotland between Iceland and Norway. The band began in 1998, and the name comes from the Norse God of Law and Justice. The music and songs are heavily based in Norwegian or Faroese lore and mythology as well as ancient Nordic ideals of Spirituality, and War. Images and tales of heroic Viking Gods are painted throughout the music, and the band has achieved a multitude of success, especially at home in the Faroe Islands and the surrounding region.

8.Thyrfing

Another Swedish death metal band, this one formed in 1995. Thyrfing takes its name of an epic, renowned mystical sword in Norse Mythology. The band's sound blends elements of darker melodic death metal with clean instrumental passages, slower drums, medieval sounding melodies and more experimental vocals on various songs. The band has toured throughout Europe and has continued making albums throughout its nearly 20-year career. Check out the band's self titled album

Thyrfing

(1998) for an interesting contrast to its latest release,

De Ödeslösa

(2013).

7. Kampfar

Taking a name from a battle cry that means Odin, Norway's Kampfar mixes folk metal and Viking mythology into a dark, desolate blend of mystifying and electrifying black metal with an emphasis on ancient Viking Culture. Most of the band's material is written and sung in Norwegian, but the eerie vibe and historic importance of the Viking Spirit and heritage shine through.With six full albums, including

Djevelmakt

(2014), the band shows no signs of slowing down in the near future.

6.Falkenbach

This one-man band (led by Vratyas Vakyas) originates from Germany, and has been creating an epic, brand of Viking metal since 1989. Early on, the band had a more necro raw black metal style but as is the case with many bands on this list, the music progressed to more of a folk metal sound, while keeping the motifs of Viking Warriors and Nordic history. The band has released six full length albums, including the most recent offerings:

Asa

(2013) and

Tiurida

(2011)

5. Moonsorrow

Perhaps more Pagan, or Folk Metal thank Viking Metal; the lines are blurred when it comes to Moonsorrow, who were born in Finland in 1995. Merging all these musical elements, along with melodic black metal, Moonsorrow's music encompassed Finnish Mythology and some ancient Norse legends, and the lyrics are almost exclusively all in Finnish.

4.Bathory

Perhaps one of the most mysterious of all metal bands, Bathory is definitely a cult status band, among fans of extreme metal and punk. Led by the multi musician, songwriter lyricist and madman known as Quothron, the Swedish extreme metal band was first spawn into this world in 1983. Bathory's first four albums laid the blueprint for Satanic Scandinavian black metal, along with Venom, but the albums

Blood Fire Death

(1988) and

Hammerheart

(1990) are recognized by many as the first 'Viking Metal' albums. The sound took black metal's aggression and fury but added depth of perception with acoustic passages, cleaner vocals and more harmonies hidden within the darker aura of extreme metal. Bathory never performed live after 1985, but Quthron continued to make music, until his tragic and untimely death in 2004.

3.Manowar