There is so much heavy, extreme, and beautiful metal music being conjured all around the world that it can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Metal Has No Borders has curated the best folk metal released this past year, from New Zealand and Ukraine to Belarus.
Be sure to vote in our ‘Best Metal Release of 2023‘ poll and enjoy our hand-picked favorite folk metal albums for 2023 below.
Folk Metal Album of the Year (Gold Tier)
Shepherds Reign
Ala Mai
Released via Golden Robot Records
New Zealand
The South Auckland-based Polynesian five-piece Shepherds Reign‘s distinct identity is genuinely such a significant breath of fresh air. Fronted by Filiva’a James, the group hold their Samoan culture and heritage highly, allowing indigenous musicalities, language, and aesthetics to take the limelight. And although the groovy Māori metal act Alien Weaponry may have struck at the vein of this style first, the rage on Ala Mai is full-blooded, while also a providing a duality of optimism amongst the angst. Furthermore, the variety expressed on this debut record is really commendable; the foundational tribal metal gradually evolves to include radio-rock anthems on “Cold Summers Night” or a melodic metalcore approach on “Finally.” When considering my personal intrigue as well as the millions of views their recent music videos are racking up, the explosive trajectory of this project is undeniably inevitable.
Ala Mai by Shepherds Reign is awarded Best Folk Album of the Year (Gold Tier) for 2023
Favorite Songs: “Aiga,” “Ala Mai,” “Le Manu“
FFO: Alien Weaponry, The Hu, Soulfly
Folk Metal Album of the Year (Silver Tier)
Cosmic Jaguar
The Legacy of the Aztecs
Self-Released
Ukraine
In the vast realm of music, I never assumed the fusion between technical thrash and Latin American folk would be a worthy combo, let alone sourced from Ukraine. Cosmic Jaguar score the fantastical setting of deities and nature stemming from Aztec mythology with Slayer aggression and stand-out bass lines. While the majority of the tracks are hijacked by a raw, progressive 80’s thrash sound, the entire record is accented tastefully by whimsical woodwinds and world percussion for an astoundingly unique style.
The Legacy of the Aztecs by Cosmic Jaguar is awarded Best Folk Album of the Year (Silver Tier) for 2023
Favorite Songs: “Teotihuacan: City of The Gods,” “The Northern Underworld,” “Chimalma: Mother of the Quetzalcoatl”
FFO: Cemican, Voivod, Atheist
Folk Metal Album of the Year (Bronze Tier)
Adarvirog
Čornaje Sonca
Self-Released
Belarus
“Adarvirog,” as a term, dates back to the Krivich, a Medieval Slavic tribe. The word translates to “tear horn,” as in to tear off one of Lucifer’s horns (and to create a drinking mug). You cannot deny the power behind such a wild phrase. On Adarvirog‘s latest album titled Čornaje Sonca, they wield such power with emotional pride and inebriated optimism. Possessing male and female vocal duality as well as a plethora of instrument variety (violin, hurdy-gurdy, cello, bagpipes, bouzouki, mandolin), this sophomore full-length is a superior folk metal record.
Čornaje Sonca by Adarvirog is awarded Best Folk Metal Album of the Year (Bronze Tier) for 2023
Favorite Songs: “Jurate,” “Žach,” “Kali Zdradziŭ Sviet“
FFO: Eluveitie, Demonic Resurrection, Korpiklaani
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