‘The cauldron was already bubbling …’ Green Lung, Druidess and the return of folk horror to British heavy metal
Playing a sound rooted in 80s bands such as Witchfinder General and Pagan Altar, metal bands are once again gravitating towards dark folklore – but in a ‘Glastonbury crystal shop’ kind of way
TL;DR
- British metal bands are increasingly incorporating dark folklore into their music, inspired by 80s acts like Witchfinder General and Pagan Altar.
- This trend is seen as metal evolving into a form of folk music, characterized by riff-based structures and a focus on reinventing past elements.
- Bands like Green Lung draw on British mythology, with their upcoming album inspired by London cemeteries and the Necropolis railway.
- The appeal of folk horror in metal is linked to a desire for escapism and a connection to the natural world and traditional folk practices.
- The sound of these bands often reveres history, featuring organ-heavy tracks and a style closer to hard rock than traditional metal.
- Witchfinder General and Pagan Altar are identified as pioneers of this microgenre, influencing later bands with their unique interpretations of horror and occult themes.
- The resurgence is also influenced by a broader interest in the occult dating back to the 1960s and 70s, combined with folk-rock and horror films.
- Concerns about the co-option of folklore by extremist groups are noted, but the current UK scene is generally seen as more 'Glastonbury crystal shop' than politically charged.