Sword Chant

DVALIN released a new video for the song "Redeemed by Oblivion" taken from their upcoming record

Belarus band WARTHA has taken the decision to end this year, and begin the new year with a new bandname.Their new band name is now VOJSTRAU (pronounced Voystrau), that is an old form of a belarusian word востраў\vostrau, that means "island". I asked them why that change and actually, I focused my questions on everything around that decision. This is their reply : "Our previous name "Wartha" is a very strange latinization of a belarusian word "Варта" = "Varta". Meaning "guard", "guardians", "protectors". We have choosen this strange latinization of a word because original word "Varta" in latin letters is the same to a firm from Poland. Varta is a poland brand name for batteries and acсumulators. Not so good for pagan metal and other activities. So, we decided to make it evil and blackish. Well, not so fast - "Wartha" is a name for a town in eastern Germany. And for many other things. Som...

SABHANKRA will release "Revenge", their new album in 2016. TRACKLIST : 01. You Will Die 02. One Shall Fall 03. Cursed Sword 04. Immortal Son 05. Revenge 06. Eternal Rage 07. Hate 08. I Will Die Wih Your Love 09. Nightmare 10. To Die For A Lie 11. Abandoned By The Gods 12. You Will Die (2007) (Bonus) 13. To Die For A Lie (2007) (Bonus) 14. Buried in Dust (2007) (Bonus)

Previously released as digital , ACCURSED YEARS now released their single " Oaken Weave " in CD format. You can order that record made of two tracks on Bandcamp .

LEŚNE LICHO revealed one first track taken from their upcoming album entitled " Pieśni Starego Lasu ". The song title is "Świątynia" and means "(old Slavic) Temple.

OCELON revealed the following artwork for " Of the Lost Heritage " album coming soon :

LEPOKA band shared a teaser for their forthcoming album "Beerserkers" coming out this January 23rd, 2016 : The record may not see the daylight without their succesful crowdfunding project.

Early 2016 will be a new record signed B LACK MAGIC FOOLS. They promise it very different from their previous works because the new line-up. Listeners can expect more mature songs with more darker tones and melodies. Their debut album made of 11 tracks is entitled "Soul Collector". It deals with the Soul Collector and his life during the medieval ages when priests and the church ruled the lands.  Everything has been recorded and produced by Pedro Ferreira, Brit Award-winning producer, and mastered by Ade Emsley who mastered "The Book of Souls" by Iron Maiden.

FESTUNG NEBELBURG released "Zwischen den Jahren" album in Digipak only (limited to 500 copies). You have to contact the band to order your copy available for 10 € + shipping Find here a teaser for this record that deals with the "Rauhnächte", a South German and Austrian phenomenon describing the things that happen in the twelve magic nights between the old and the new year. TRACKLIST : 01. Prolog 02. Vorboten 03. Drudendrücken 04. Perchtenlauf 05. Irrlicht 06. Altes Wissen 07. Die Thomasnacht 08. I hob drammt 09. Zwischen den Jahren

HOPES OF FREEDOM revealed one first track taken from their upcoming album " Burning Skyfall ".

FOLKSTONE released a video song taken from " Oltre… l’Abisso " record.

French band EKTHELLION released a video for the song "Nocturnal Winds" taken from their debut EP out now .

As you know, I worked with ETERKNIGHT through Eld . Finally, I can reveal you the artwork for their forthcoming EP entitled "Winter's Calling" made of four tracks . This is the artwork :

Medieval folk band OBSCURUS ORBIS released one official video for "Kost Ar C'hoat " song taken from their new and second album entitled "Secundum Artem". Contact the band to order your copy.

The band KYLFINGAR plans to release their new album during the next year. The record is entitled "Világok Határán" that means "At the Border of Worlds".

WOLF RAHM released their maxi single entitled "Теремок" for free download.

Enjoy the Christmas edition of the "Waffenbruder" song by VOGELFREY :

"Tinca Popii" is the second track made by E-AN-NA band from Romania.  Tinca Popii is our second single. This instrumental song is a rendition of a romanian traditional folklore tune. We kept it's original name, and tried to adapt it to what we feel it represents. ''Tinca'' is to be translated as a reference to young girls (often daughters, but not necessary). Our concept is that this feminine entity represents nature itself and all the beauty surrounding us, not giving up yet to the claws of mankind and it's wretched way of stealing the beauty of the world. It's a song about the joy of being alive and enjoying the miracle of life itself in all it's forms.  The song is available for 1€ on bandcamp .

Vasil, Aliaksandr and  Mikalai  from the split-up band LITVINTROLL are now part of a new band named SAKRAMANT. Welcome them  nicely. :)

ACCURSED YEARS  released " Oaken Weave " single available for free download . Two videos are for each track : heres the first and there, the second video.

Yesterday , I announced the GWAREMM KORRIGED debut album is planned for next year. Today, you can pre-order the record passsing by this crowdfunding project .

Initially planned for 2013, the folk band  ULFARKHEIM had to face computer issues delaying the release... The record is entitled "Farine corrompue de Frodi" and is available on bandcamp in digital only. TRACKLIST : 01. À l'Est il partit 02. L'artefact d'Eitri 03. Nerthus 04. Terres Celtiques 05. Werþaną ULFARKHEIM is currently working on the debut album planned for next year. It will be entitled "Les Bribes de L'âme".

"Streifzug" album by SKELFIR is now released. Contact the band to order your copy. TRACKLIST: 01. Wächter des Wissens 02. Falsche Propheten 03. Hoch den Humpen 04. Das Murkelmännchen von Eschelbach 05. Schlachtruf 06. Der Stein auf dem Bühl 07. Heidrun 08. Hidden Track

This year was full of change, here : new concept, new design, transition... and new reviews, soon. :) That big work for a change was one hard decision but needed in the end. Our bands battles are no more but one  compilation  is; gigs calendars ended too; and I invite you to share tourdates into the platform like you can create bands pages with their bio as I do and then, I'll spread the word through the social networks supporting those. All these bring me more time sharing more news, interviews, ...and finally return with reviews. Folk news returned in this year also because that change and then, I hope this will follow whereas I have to face that very nice folk metal expansion and the listing for these releaes up 'til 2017. So, I hope that you enjoy the new Sword Chant. :) You are more and more to follow me and my work here, more records labels, more bands, more listeners, more zines.... You are about 1,640 on Facebook , 830 on Twitter , 197 on Google+ wh...

GWAREMM KORRIGED published a video saying (in French) about the band ('s looking for a bassist and drummer) and the debut album entitled " Dirak ar Stang " that is planned to be released for March 2016. Your ears can have a preview of the record through the video :

Zagony Bogów album (Fields of Gods) by STWORZ is out now . TRACKLIST : 01. Zagony Bogów (Fields of Gods) 02. Pług czasu (The plough of time) 03. Maro, Maro 04. Przędza losu (The yarn of fate) 05. Perun jest mnogi (Perun is multiplicitous) 06. Droga mleczna (The Milky Way) 07. Jaskółki (Swallows) 08. Czerwone jajeczko (Little red egg) 09. Nic ponad Bogów myśl i czyn (Nothing beyond Gods' will and deed) 10. Pieśń żerców (The chant of [heathen] priests) 11. Pożegnanie Słońca (A farewell to the Sun) 12. Szerokie pole (A vast field)

The year 2016 appears like one busy year for LEX TALION . Indeed, the band plans to release a maxi single for free download that will be followed by their second album. New video may be as well! 3 tracks will cover the maxi single whereas 11 tracks - if not 12 - will complete the following full length. They promise one aggressive and heavier sound. We discussed a bit technique and it sounds like they worked on that new sound a lot. Wait & see!

Nemeton records releaed ICETHRONE's album "Winter Tales". You can order your copy to that page . TRACKLIST : 01. La Chiamata Dei Lupi 02. Dreams Of Death 03. Immortally Oath 04. Pay With Your Blood 05. Canto Di Orfeo 06. Medusa 07. Winter Tales 08. Beyond The Nine Words

"Vérbulcsú" EP by MAEOTIS from Hungary  is out now.  Contact the band to get your copy. TRACKLIST : 01. Vérbulcsú 02. A Horka [ sound ] 03. Lél Kürtje Bence Molnár plays guitars and synth on the record as guest.

French band HOPES OF FREEDOM unveils the artwork for their upcoming album entitled "Burning Skyfall". Find below the artwork made of fireballs falling from the sky to the ground destroying a villlage as in war time :

JALDABOATH published the following : "Sadly all new recordings have been lost to the mists of time - however ; Jaldaboath are pleased to announce the arrival of Kobro 'hammer of the north' as First Drummer Deluxe, and we will be recording the 3rd full album in 2016 for an as-yet undisclosed label..."

June 2015, I announced the end of our bands battles and a lot of change happened here since that time. One compilation was supposed to be but sadly, it ended as well.  However, I said there the winner bands will have the opportunity to feat in one other compialtion if they agree with it. The winner bands who accepted are SOLA NORR and  CORR MHÓNA . You can find tracks from them inside the compilation entitled "Mister Folk compilation vol.III" full of 20 bands,  published by my partner Mister Folk webzine. 

NIDHOEGGR published a lyrics video for their song entitled same as their album " Nach der Schlacht " now released :

Polish band LEŚNE LICHO will release their debut album during this month or the beginning of the next year.  The title for the full length is "Pieśni Starego Lasu" and means "Songs of the Old Forest". 12 tracks will complete the record; one bonus track included.

UK band ACCURSED YEARS will release in digital and physical their single entitled "Oaken Weave". The first track can be heard to that link but a second track titled "Sons of Fenrir" will feat. on the record available for free download on december 23rd, 2015.. CD's will be released on this December 30th.

GRIMNER band that I interviewed two times already, didn't stop to surprise me. :) Today, they announced a new single is released, and a new album planned for March 26th, 2016. The record is entitled "Frost Mot Eld". "The new concept album will tell you an epic story of two sides, the Enhärjar empowered by the icy winds of Asgård and the Sons of Surt fueled by the fires of Muspelheim. The album will feature a more epic and adventurous sound than ever before" , said the band. TRACKLIST : 01. Res Er Mina Söner 02. Eldhjärta 03. Nordmännens Raseri 04. Enhärjarkväde 05. Midgård Brinner 06. Vargarnas Tid 07. Mörkrets Hem 08. Etter och Flammor 09. Muspelheims Härskare 10. Frost Mot Eld Despotz Records will release this second full length of the band in CD, vinyl and digital. You can order your copy here . The single "Eldhjärta" (Fireheart) is out now and deals with  a story about the Enhärjar preparing for battle in the...

ETERKNIGHT came to me, asking for some help with their new EP which will come out for free download in the beginning of 2016 . The setting of a schedule for promotion of their upcoming release, and one release date were the goal; but also one help to define the artwork. All the answers will be available on Sword Chant website.

UK band SHADES OF AVALON revealed the artwork for their debut album entitled "Northern Barbarians". 

ILLDÅD will release in digital their debut album entitled "Bland bot och sot" on January 25, 2016.  The physical format will be a bit later. The album title describes what witches or some beings could do to humans, They could do good things but also bad things... That is the concept of the record full of Swedish folklores, happy and not. Anton Tordås confessed to Sword Chant : "I have also decided to put two of my old ones on the album which is "Herrarna i hagen" and "Månskensdans" which have been re recorded of course. I have also made a cover of the song "Far" which is a great song made by a swedish acktor/folksinger called Allan Edwall. The riffs and melodies of the album have been more tricky this time just because i want them to be absolutly perfect and want people to catch on the very first time they here them. in comparison to the last EP this record have a lot more heavy riffs, faster guitars, more melodies but also A LO...

LUAR NA LUBRE revealed "La molinera" video. The track is taken from their new album "Extra Mundi". Lyrics for the song can be found on the video page.

LOCATION :  Terrassa, Catalonia, Spain Status :  Active Music :  Folk Metal MEMBERS : Martí Páez : vocals, lyre Manel Maylinch : bass Mireia "Puigmal" : violin Álvaro de León : drums Past members : Joan Marc Rodriguez : guitars Marc Sisó : bass Marc Josep : bass Xavi Mundó : drums Albert Alba : keyboard, flute, bagpipes Bianca Antohe : bass Georgina : keyboards Alba Logan : bagpipes, hurdy gurdy, violin, gralla, tarota and other  catalan traditional wind instruments. Roger Cucurella : keyboards, gralla, low gralla and other  catalan traditional wind instruments Nil Lapedra : guitars, accordion David Saus : drums Carles Soler : guitars, keyboards Raquel Garcia : bagpipes, flutes, gralla HISTORY : Forja was born as a power metal musical project that sings in Catalan, brought to life in 2012 in Terrassa by Martí Páez­, Albert Alba, Joan Marc Rodriguez, Xavi Mundó and Marc Sisó. Later, the line-up changed some ...

This is my interview with Pablo from TRIDDANA .  Lately, they released their second full length entitled "The Power & The Will". The interview was planned earlier. 01. Hi Pablo! TRIDDANA founded in 2011 with the idea to combine Celtic music together with metal. How this idea came to you? And what mean Celtic music, Metal music, and folk metal for you ?  As a Scottish descendant (of whom there are many in Argentina) I have a very personal connection with Celtic music in general. And personally, I like all kinds of European folk music, be it Celtic, Scandinavian or from the Balkans. On the other hand, heavy metal is what inspired me to become a musician altogether. When I was a kid I started learning guitar and bagpipes simultaneously. Later on I dropped the guitar and learnt a little bit of piano, and later on concentrated fully on the bagpipes. So I grew up as a musician in a folk environment really, and took on heavy metal later on. It’s interesting that ev...

Chinese band BLACK KIRIN (黑麒麟) released their debut album "哀郢". You can listen on douban and purchase the record to that  page . TRACKLIST : 01.黄河 02.启衅 03.投名状 04.苍穹血 05.女恨 06.墨戈 07.世仇 08.无双 09.彼岸

ETERKNIGHT is currently working on a new EP planned to be released on January 16th, 2016. TRACKLIST : 01. Intro 02. Warheart 03. Immortal Dragons 04. Winter's Heeding As for the previous EP , it will be available for free download.

TELPERION released their debut album entitled " Ahead of time ". TRACKLIST : 01. Ahead of time 02. Black crows 03. Hooded man 04. Far from the pain 05. Spinning beer 06. Wind rose 07. Release your soul 08. Final Hour 09. Bonus track: Hooded man Contact the band to order your copy.

BUCOVINA released their new album  entitled "Nestrãmutat" Find the tracklist and listen to one song passing by this article . "Nestrãmutat" album can be ordered  at the Bandcamp page of the band. The cardboard digipack format will be released  around December 25th

" Zwischen den Jahren ", the new album signed  FESTUNG NEBELBURG will be released on December 28th.  Heres a teaser :

Available on Bandcamp  and Cdbaby , the FORSAKEN RITE EP entitled "For The Honour Of Our Fathers" made of six tracks : 01. Intro 02. Wolves 03. Way Of The Old Ones 04. Unsung Heroes 05. Awakening 06. For The Honour Of Our Fathers.

"Gromovi nad Trebišćem", the debut album by VOLOH is now released. TRACKLIST : 01. Čiji to dvor na gori stoji  02. Izdajice 03. Veles vječni Bog 04. Pod jednim drevnim Hrastom 05. Gdje Grom ne dopire 06. Šumi stari Hrast 07. Posljednji pohod 08. Gromovi nad Trebišćem You can order your copy on Bandcamp .

April 1st, 2016 will be released the new MOONSORROW album entitled  "Jumalten Aika” that means "The Age of Gods". "Jumalten Aika is a journey to the deepest North and into the darkest mythologies created in the depths of human soul. Narrated by the voice and sound of Moonsorrow" , the band said.

TRIDDANA now released to the rest of the world, their new album " The Power & The Will ", available in Argentina since December 4th. Today, they also released a new video (not for kids) :

VANIR (DK) published through Mighty Music their new single Broken Throne / Drukvisen .  The songs are taken from their new EP " Aldar Rök " coming out the 26th of February 2016.

BLACK MESSIAH plans to release a new album during May 2016. They revealed the following tracklist : 01. Prologue – A New Threat 02. Mimir’s Head 03. Allfather’s Magic 04. Mime’s Tod 05. Call For Battle 06. Die Bürde Des Njörd 07. Satisfaction And Revenge 08. The Marsh 09. The Walls Of Vanaheim 10. Decisions 11. Mit Blitz Und Donner 12. The Ritual 13. Kvasir 14. A Feast Of Unity 15. The Farewell 16. Epilog – Eine Neue Zukunft

Due to differencies between members, LITVINTROLL band is no more...

" Weltenmeer " album by  FUCHSTEUFELSWILD  is now available to the band store . TRACKLIST : 01. Prolog 02. Weltenmeer 03. Zauberkreis 04. Drei Bänder 05. Till 06. Sirenengesang 06. Wie der Wind 07. Sieben Kugeln 08. Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern

"Ad Memoriam" EP by DYRNWYN is out now. You can get it on Bandcamp . TRACKLIST: 01. Ad Memoriam 02. Sangue Fraterno 03. Sigillum 04. Tubilustrium 05. Ultima Quiete 06. Teutoburgo

As you know , TROLLGASM will release a new EP entitled "Play Folk Or Die". I asked them the following elements : Play Folk Or Die EP will be released next year. This is the tracklist :

Great news! VARANG NORD released their album "Masters of the Forest"in digital, but also in CD! They found a way to release earlier the physical format initially planned for next year . You can order your copy on Bandcamp : Master of the Forest by Varang Nord TRACKLIST :

TROLLORT shared some songs taken from their upcomnig album "Curse" planned to be released during 2016. Soon will be an official video for this song :

This december will be released the second MAEOTIS EP entitled "Vérbulcsú". Three tracks will complete the record : 01. Vérbulcsú 02. A Horka 03. Lél Kürtje

LORDS OF THE DRUNKEN PIRATE CREW band unveiled the tracklist for "Loaded to the Gunwalls" album to be released during next year. TRACKLIST : 01. The Judgement 02. Yo Ho to the Gallows 03. A Pirate's Life for Me 04. Give Us Beer! 05. Yar Har Hey! 06. Burning Sails and Fiery Lead 07. Woken From the Crow's Nest 08. The Bloodiest Victory 09. Batten Down the Hatches! 10. Too Many Trolls Are on This Ship 11. To Dance Under the Jolly Roger with the Mermaids at Midnight... 12. Steel, Grit, and Fury

Due to a sensitive situation in one country, the booklet for " Padre " album by HORDAK couldn't be finished in time. The new release date now set to january 10th of 2016.

"Krampusnacht" is the title for the new single by SKOGSHALLEN available for free. Krampusnacht by Skogshallen SKOGSHALLEN will release their next record " Fara í Víking " during 2016. I contacted the band on that matter and this is their reply : "Initially planned for this year, there may be some delay. We want to make sure we give it all our creative energy and that means some attention to detail that we felt was lacking in former albums. The older albums were fun but roughly done at best. I can tell you two things about the album : - First and foremost, it will feature 14 original compositions as well as 2 arrangements of old folk songs. - However due to the long wait, we decided to write a song in honor of krampus to be debuted tomorrow.  The song will be free to download".

MORHANA released their debut album that is entitled "When the Earth Was Forged". TRACKLIST : 01. Intro 02. When the Earth Was Forged 03. Morhana 04. Mgła 05. Travelle 06. Trolls on the Sea 07. Dreamland 08. WTF 09. Plinn 10. Strzyga 11. Sleeping Knight 12. Giants of Ice The full length can be ordered here .

The ALDEGAR members are too busy to keep ALDEGAR band active... They had released one demo last year and one album was planned for next year but the record won"t be in the end..

LES DERNIERS TROUVÈRES started the recordings of their new album. The record is entitled "Héros Celtes et Médiévaux".

"It is official Ex Deo will finally start recording the follow up to their critically acclaimed album "Caligvla" during spring of next year going through the summer, Expect an early 2017 release on Napalm Records from one of the most anticipated albums forthcoming the metal scene", the band said.

TRIDDANA released their second album  " The Power & The Will " in Argentina.  You can order the full length to that page . TRACKLIST : 01. Shouting Aloud 02. When The Enemy's Close [ sound ] 03. Death Blow 04. Echo Through The Days 05. Everything Returns 06. The Snake & The Pit 07. The Might In My Blood 08. Galloping Shadows 09. Becoming [ video ] 10. Everlasting Lie 11. Awakening 12. The Power & The Will

VORNA released their new album entitled "Ei valo minua seuraa" through Inverse records . TRACKLIST : 01. Harmaudesta (Away from Grey) 02. Jälkemme (Heritage) 03. Itsetön (Soul Shriven) 04. Sieluni varjossa (In the Nightside of Self) 05. Vaipunut (Of Life Descended) 06. Yksin (Alone) 07. Hiljaiset rauniot (Silent Ruins) The lead-vocalist Vesa Salovaara shared some words related with this record, by September.

ELVENKING released their new and live album "The Night Of Nights" in Europe. Ordering can be here . January 22nd of 2016 is the release date for America. The record is a double live album CD's + DVD. Find all details to this page .

The new EPHYRA album " Along the Path " already released in Europe is now also available to the USA. You can purchase it to your local store or Bandcamp .

"Live 2015", the double live CD's by VERSENGOLD is now released. You can get yours to the band shop . Find album details below the video :

TROLLFEST started the recordings of their new album with drums. A seventh album may appear next year. :)

FESTUNG NEBELBURG plans to release their new album "Zwischen den Jahren" pretty soon. The band said the following : Studio Kalthallen has completed the mastering of "Zwischen den Jahren" and the CD is on its way to me! Only some weeks left until the new Festung Nebelburg album will be released! You can take a look at the cover of "Zwischen den Jahren" already. If you want to pre-order the CD, send an e-mail to FestungNebelburgOrders@gmail.com This is the artwork :

There, you go : Their acousstic CD "Zirkus Zeitgeist – Ohne Strom und Stecker" is out now and available here .

TOTER FISCH started the recordings for a new EP. This Extended Play will be acoustic.