Rock Bands and Tolkien (Nightwish and more) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

ninja91 · 10-21-2009, 11:03 AM

Led Zeppelin is a band famously noted for referencing Tolkien's works, most specifically in The Battle of Evermore.
Another band which came to my mind is the Viking metal/Black metal band Bathory. I do not have any evidence of them referencing Tolkien's works but I enjoy many songs which are deeply rooted in fantasy and Viking mythos, as well as BATTLE

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 11-03-2009, 04:47 PM

I picked up a nice CD recently by a Belgian band Theudho - it's a concept album named The Volsunga Saga.

I would probably not have bought it had I not been familar with the old epic story, so thank Tolkien for that!

Rune Son of Bjarne · 11-03-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja91

Led Zeppelin is a band famously noted for referencing Tolkien's works, most specifically in The Battle of Evermore.

Interesting, the one song that I always think of is "Ramble On"

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 01-07-2010, 04:24 AM

We had the theory on this thread that fans of metal saw themselves in Tolkien's villains, as opposition to convention, religion, etc. But the scope is much wider. Yes, the evil Orcs who rampage and steal are metal - but the heroes who give all in battle are also metal. Aragorn's rousing speeches are appropriate as Sauron's malice.

So is theme important? I say: yes! Opposed as Aragorn and Sauron surely are to us, they're both the same to the common radio-listener. Songs about tasting the furious vengeance of a Gondorian blade are no different to an anthem celebrating Trollish bloodlust - to those who constantly sing about being dumped by her boyfriend, going out to party at the club, or exactly how to rhythmically move ones hips at the club because said hips now have no boyfriend.

A huge percentage of metal is made by people who love fantasy, epics, old tales of times past, and so on. Tolkien's influence in this field is far greater than in the rock genre; I suppose simply because rock is closer to the mainstream.

Drumolator · 01-28-2010, 06:38 PM

The English prog band Camel has two LOTR inspired tunes:

"The White Rider'
"Lady Fantasy"

Check out Glass Hammer too. They have two Tolkien-related CD's.

Peace and goodwill.

The Might · 01-31-2010, 07:02 AM

Thanks for that tip, Drumolator!
Just checked for a video on YT and found this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwtAIKP58o4

I must admit, as someone born in 1989 it's a bit difficult for me to listen to this kind of music... not really my cup of tea, but I'm sure my mom would love it.

Or some of the older BDers.

Pitchwife · 01-31-2010, 07:37 AM

Ah, good ole 70s prog rock - definitely a guilty pleasure that deserves to be assigned to Orthanc. Thanks for the prompting!

Snowdog · 03-06-2010, 11:59 PM

Add another metal band with a Tolkien name.... Fornost Arnor. With songs named 'Trance of Madness' & If the Trees could Speak', it does seem to step into Tolkien's worls a bit.

And then there's 'Rivendell
by Rush, and the Celtic band Lothlorien, which is interesting, though not a rock band.

11-03-2009, 04:47 PM	#2
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	I picked up a nice CD recently by a Belgian band Theudho - it's a concept album named The Volsunga Saga. I would probably not have bought it had I not been familar with the old epic story, so thank Tolkien for that! __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

01-07-2010, 04:24 AM	#4
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	We had the theory on this thread that fans of metal saw themselves in Tolkien's villains, as opposition to convention, religion, etc. But the scope is much wider. Yes, the evil Orcs who rampage and steal are metal - but the heroes who give all in battle are also metal. Aragorn's rousing speeches are appropriate as Sauron's malice. So is theme important? I say: yes! Opposed as Aragorn and Sauron surely are to us, they're both the same to the common radio-listener. Songs about tasting the furious vengeance of a Gondorian blade are no different to an anthem celebrating Trollish bloodlust - to those who constantly sing about being dumped by her boyfriend, going out to party at the club, or exactly how to rhythmically move ones hips at the club because said hips now have no boyfriend. A huge percentage of metal is made by people who love fantasy, epics, old tales of times past, and so on. Tolkien's influence in this field is far greater than in the rock genre; I suppose simply because rock is closer to the mainstream. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

01-31-2010, 07:02 AM	#6
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	Thanks for that tip, Drumolator! Just checked for a video on YT and found this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwtAIKP58o4 I must admit, as someone born in 1989 it's a bit difficult for me to listen to this kind of music... not really my cup of tea, but I'm sure my mom would love it. Or some of the older BDers. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

01-31-2010, 07:37 AM	#7
Pitchwife Wight of the Old Forest Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Unattended on the railway station, in the litter at the dancehall Posts: 3,329	Ah, good ole 70s prog rock - definitely a guilty pleasure that deserves to be assigned to Orthanc. Thanks for the prompting! __________________ Und aus dem Erebos kamen viele seelen herauf der abgeschiedenen toten.- Homer, Odyssey, Canto XI

01-28-2010, 06:38 PM	#5
Drumolator Newly Deceased Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 3	The English prog band Camel has two LOTR inspired tunes: "The White Rider' "Lady Fantasy" Check out Glass Hammer too. They have two Tolkien-related CD's. Peace and goodwill.

03-06-2010, 11:59 PM	#8
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 662	Add another metal band with a Tolkien name.... Fornost Arnor. With songs named 'Trance of Madness' & If the Trees could Speak', it does seem to step into Tolkien's worls a bit. And then there's 'Rivendell by Rush, and the Celtic band Lothlorien, which is interesting, though not a rock band.