A Grove of Ashes and Aspens

Now Playing: Nu Delhi by Bloodywood

So as folk metal fans, we got a little bit spoiled this year. A new Bloodywood album, a new Elvenking album and cover (not really a folk metal cover, since it’s a cover of Children of Bodom, but still), a new Tungsten single (they count as folk metal enough for me, and I make the rules here), among others. So let’s take a peek at some of my favourite tracks.

Of course, being unable to pick a favourite track from my favourite band, the entirety of the new Elvenking album can effectively be counted as a favourite track of mine. They’re all fun and interesting with a healthy dose of story and lore going on in the background. The fun musical lines and callbacks to past tracks, both musically and lyrically (thanks, Lethien, for throwing in that one Horned Ghost and the Sorcerer solo) keep things interesting and very fun for those of us who are a lot more familiar with their back catalogue.

The new Bloodywood album is also one where it’s hard for me to pick a favourite track. They’re all very fun, mixing the more heavy political themes of their debut album with some more lighthearted and fun topics involving their love for their home country. It’s a beautiful mix of heavy and just the best kinds of chaos.

A new Tungsten single also hit the shelves, and you know what that means. (Maybe.) Potentially a new album is coming soon, which will be very exciting. Nothing has been confirmed on that front, so take my speculation as just that. It is a very good song though, and I am very excited to see more from them.

Other new music this year includes Hans & Valter, the new symphonic power metal band from Sweden. They not only released an entire debut album, but they also dropped a new single and teased a new album in the coming spring. Their music is cheesy and stupid in all the best ways, and it’s truly wonderful.

Of course, this is not all of the new music this year and is only a fraction of what I was listening to and enjoying, just some of the highlights. This is something that I always look forward to doing every year, just to see what kinds of music come up in the new year and what kinds of things I discover.