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 In a basement in Austria, there lived a black metal band. It was not a black metal band filled with satanic themes and a low recording quality, nor was it a Norwegian band that stabbed people or burned churches in it's spare time.

It was Summoning

And that means Tolkien inspired lyrics, majestic atmospheric soundscapes, and a much needed change of pace for black metal. 

https://youtu.be/Vb1-yX3WhnA

Welcome to Metal Transmitted by Relays. This month we're featuring metal bands influenced by Tolkien.

And the time has come to dive into Black Metal, but don't be scared, it's not really as black as you've been led to believe, a fact I largely credit to Summoning.

They borrowed the foundation of their sound from the Black Metal subgenre but rather than focusing on anger, despair, or anti religion themes, they wrote songs about Middle Earth.

https://youtu.be/JvzY5aQDe70

They also recorded the first metal song written entirely in the Black Speech of Mordor.

https://youtu.be/phjb-PLK6DI

Their career has spanned over eight albums in which they've established a deep Tolkien nerd credibility far beyond any other band I've ever come across. They also pioneered the atmospheric black metal scene in inspiring several other bands to contribute to their particular style of black metal.

But if you're a fan of the classic black metal sound, they have an album for that too.

https://youtu.be/bAYqEiysNmA

#metal #tunestr #tolkien #heavymetal #music #grownostr #metaltransmittedbyrelays 

Catch up on previous notes in this series here

nostr:nevent1qqsw49v394erqlw2zk2y9r65lj7hkwt98nx5h8mj0xsfeh8g286yqaqprpmhxue69uhkxetvd3shytnwdaehgu3wwa5kuef0qgs8ja6sqsw3xe4gp4z7zvxgx8c9v26lwfnxv2c84nh4ph25r0az2dgrqsqqqqqpp2spzv 
 I love your Saturday metal notes. I've been listening to new stuff throughout the week based on what you're sharing.  
 Excellent. That's my goal. 
 This is a good series for your metal heads! 
nostr:nevent1qqsp4z930q6950p6ych4ayv6vac09k325qkvft597r7qftcxv7dxxcgpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygrewagqg8gnv65q630pxryrruzk9d0hyenx9vr6em6sm42ph739x5psgqqqqqqs28kgkc 
 The "With Doom We Come" album almost gives me AOE2 soundtrack vibes (a compliment, I love that soundtrack). 

I listened to this yesterday 
https://youtu.be/ACLHIzkW18g
there's a bit of discussion about metal vocals as voice acting rather than singing, I feel like that comes through in the almost narrative delivery of the lyrics in the songs I've hit so far. Cool stuff 
 Interesting thought. Kind of like how music is another form of storytelling.

Had to step away and cook supper, so I'm only halfway through the video. Listening to these guys go back and forth trying out different voices/screams is quite entertaining. 
 Far, far below the deepest delving of mainstream music, the world of metal is gnawed by nameless vocals... I have walked there, and I will bring now report to darken the light of day 

https://youtu.be/iBrugTuI28c

It's time for Metal Transmitted by Relays, where I feature lesser known metal bands and subgenres each week. Continuing our Tolkien theme, today we have metal from the deep places of the world.

Khazad Dum is a band named after the Dwarven name for Moria, the ancient, abandoned, underground stronghold of the Dwarves. And what sound did they choose to accompany their Dwarven motif? 

Funeral Doom.

(Shout-out to Wind Rise for their Dwarf theme, but sorry, Doom Metal is way more "Dwarven" than Folk/Power metal.)

Khazad Dum has released one album, "Hymns from the Deep". It's a concept album about the Fellowship's journey through Moria.

Funeral Doom is the ultimate low-time- preference music. It's best experienced in it's entirety.

https://youtu.be/KoZS1pMsBMU

The only lyrics I was able to find.

STONES OF SORROW 
"Ithkêl murbêl
Buh Dashât sadishîn
Doom of the deep folk wrote on blackened blades
Tidings of Balin’s fate through tale of plight
Stones of sorrow tell their tale as light fades
Wrought by hands of time in stillness of night
Hooded faces silent beside the tomb
Reflecting upon the brave lord’s lone quest
Went alone to look in Mirror mere’s gloom
An arrow in the dark death manifest
Grim readings sing bloody tunes of cruel ends
Cloven shields and helms conjoin words to deeds
Morning’s end to dread and horror extends
Vile tides come to repeat prior misdeeds
They are coming
We cannot get out"

#metal #tunestr #tolkien #heavymetal #music #grownostr #metaltransmittedbyrelays

Previous notes in this series.

nostr:nevent1qqsp4z930q6950p6ych4ayv6vac09k325qkvft597r7qftcxv7dxxcgpz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygrewagqg8gnv65q630pxryrruzk9d0hyenx9vr6em6sm42ph739x5psgqqqqqqs28kgkc 
 J. R. R. Tolkien has named more bands than any other human on Earth.

https://image.nostr.build/3db2a881d42378f5035650b964a4f9c8fd30280398dea6ba5377f313772111b5.jpg

Welcome to Metal Transmitted by Relays, my series of weekly notes featuring lesser known metal bands and subgenres.

This will be the final installment of our September Tolkien Theme.  I'm changing up the format a bit this week. Typically, I showcase one band that I have legitimitely listened to and enjoyed, but today, I am presenting a whole list of bands and will share music from a few that I have deemed worth a listen.

My goal is to make the case that JRR Tolkien has named more bands than anyone, ever.

It has become common practice among the metal communuty that if you need a cool band name, just consult a map of Middle Earth.  Tolkien made up multiple entire languages to enrich the fantasy world he created, and therefore, he also provided hundreds or even thousands of unique names and terms, which decades later, are just waiting to be used as awesome band names.

I have scoured the internet for articles, consulted AI, and trawled through the obscure reaches of Youtube and Encyclopaedia Metallum, and have compiled what I'm pretty certain is the most comprehensive list of Tolkien derived metal band names ever made.  Let's begin.

Amon Amarth: Viking themed melodic death metal, the elvish name for Mount Doom

Gorgoroth: one of the pioneers of Norwegian Black Metal, named after the Northwestern region of Mordor

Burzum: Varg Vikernes' Black Metal project before he went to jail for stabbing and killing a rival band's guitarist

Eldamar: atmospheric black metal

https://youtu.be/9SKcnz6Ubow

Carach Angren: symphonic black metal
Eregion: power metal
Thangorodrim: black metal
Uruk-Hai: black metal
Anglachel: atmospheric black/dungein synth
Aragorn: heavy metal
Falls of Rauros: atmospheric black metal
Cirith Ungol: heavy metal
Argonath: black metal
Isengard: black metal solo project by the drummer from Darkthrone
Ephel Duath: Italian prog metal
Aglarond: gothic doom from Mexico

https://youtu.be/Q6F9iW_0ti0

Mordor: Industrial (Russian version of Rammstein)
Ainur: progressive rock orchestra
Arwen: symphonic metal
Fangorn: black metal
Fangorn: power metal
Avathar: thrash metal from Ecuador
Balrog: black metal
Gimli Son of Gloin:
Cirith Gorgor: black metal
Rhun: black metal
Gothmog: black metal
Lungorthin: black metal
Scatha: thrash metal
Valar: black metal
Hithlum: black metal
Lorien: power metal
Ainulindale: epic black metal
Barrow Wight: black metal
Dagorath: black metal
Dol Guldur: black metal
Minas Morgul: power metal
Dwarrodelf: atmospheric black metal
Emyn Muil epic black metal
Fangorn: black metal
Khazad-Dum: funeral doom
Nazgul: black metal
Numenorean: blackened death
Rivendell: black metal
Smeagol's Fate: black metal, dungeon synth
Smoke of Isengard: doom/stoner metal
Morgul Blade: heavy metal

https://youtu.be/y64Lym-nMq4

Tengwar: epic folk metal
Dol Amroth: power metal
Kor: black metal
Line of Durin: atmospheric black metal
Ondolinde: melodic death metal
Rivendell: black metal
Vanyar: epic black metal
Warg: black metal
Avathar: epic black/folk metal
Bauglir: melodic death metal
Orodruin: black metal/ambient
Caras Galadon: black metal
Mithril: power metal
Mordor: black/funeral doom
Orkrist: symphonic black/gothic/folk metal
Anduril: power metal
Beleriand: atmospheric black metal
Carn Dum: black metal
Dagorlath: power metal
Maeglin: black metal
Mirkwood: atmospheric black metal
Numenor: symphonic/black/power metal
Witchking: epic heavy metal
Wormtongue: black/folk metal
Zirakzigil: progressive stoner/sludge metal
Ash Nazg Burz: black metal
Keys of Orthanc: epic black metal/dungeon synth

https://youtu.be/L6m_xtk3esI

Kingdom of Angmar: atmospheric black metal
Morgul Vale: atmospheric black metal
Nurn: black/ambient
Olorin: Doom metal
Palantir: black/speed metal
Skald of Morgoth: black metal
Amon Din: melodic death metal
Arathorn: atmospheric black/folk metal
Arda: power metal
Baruk Khazad: folk/death metal
Carcharoth: Dungeon synth, black metal
Durthang: atmospheric black metal
Eldarion: atmospheric black metal
Erech: black metal
Flying Nazguls: black metal
Galadriel's Wrath: black metal
Kortirion: black metal
Maglor: folk metal
Mithrandir: black metal
Ungoliant: black metal
Eowyn: atmospheric black/dungeon synth
Carcharoth AV: atmospheric black metal
Daedeloth: death/doom
Dagorlad: atmospheric black/gothic
Ered Angmar: pagan black metal
Feanor: heavy metal
Galadriel: gothic/doom/death
Geist Elbereth: black metal
Ithil: black metal
Kharn: black/folk metal
Moria: deathcore
Moriquendi: black/folk metal
Servant of Morgoth: black metal
Lammoth: melodic black metal

https://youtu.be/MYfDmLqqkeE

#tolkien #grownostr #music #tunestr #heavymetal #metal #metaltransmittedbyrelays 

Previous notes in this series

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 this sounds serious👀 
 
nostr:nevent1qqs2dxvsqujms3l3l7vkffac2u6whsksrxtrdkgtpjt82msjlmj550qpz9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejj7q3q09m4qpqazdn2sr29uycvsv0s2c447unxvc4s0t802rw4gxl6y56sxpqqqqqqzsa5d58 
 Holy poo. So many. How can man stand against such reckless hate? 
 What happens when guys from four or five different death metal bands hang out together in their spare time? 

They start a new gothic rock band, of course.

https://youtu.be/y1PQE6cxXK4

It's time for Metal Transmitted by Relays, and for the past few weeks, we've been deep in the dark depths of extreme metal, so let's hear something a bit more accessible.

Cemetery Skyline is a new band that is compromised of members from well known Death Metal groups Dark Tranquillity, Insomniun, Amorphis, Dimmu Borgir, Sentenced, and others... 

but it isn't Death Metal. They're recording their version of 90's and 2000's gothic, which they're calling Nordic Gothic. And it just so happens that they're releasing their album next Friday, October 11th.

https://youtu.be/NasMtOyj__s

#metal #tunestr #heavymetal #music #grownostr #metaltransmittedbyrelays

Previous notes in this series here.

nostr:nevent1qqs2dxvsqujms3l3l7vkffac2u6whsksrxtrdkgtpjt82msjlmj550qprpmhxue69uhkxetvd3shytnwdaehgu3wwa5kuef0qgs8ja6sqsw3xe4gp4z7zvxgx8c9v26lwfnxv2c84nh4ph25r0az2dgrqsqqqqqpkcmch2 
 For this week's edition of #metaltransmittedbyrelays we are featuring Amorphis

https://youtu.be/VkfbnFr8piM

Amorphis is a Finnish heavy metal band known for their unique blend of melodic death metal, progressive rock, and folk elements, and for some reason, they seem to be relatively unknown in the US.

https://youtu.be/QP5BxIwLuZ8

Though they use some harsh vocals, they focus mostly on clean lyrics and catchy music, a good gateway band to get someone into melodic death metal.

https://youtu.be/tptu0kptwcE

https://youtu.be/fmHmTwZ8TLI

#metal #tunestr #heavymetal #music #grownostr

Catch up on previous notes in this series.

nostr:nevent1qqs944j6up2v4xywk9yjt807kdnncemyx5lmen2req3a5k20w39d2cspz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygrewagqg8gnv65q630pxryrruzk9d0hyenx9vr6em6sm42ph739x5psgqqqqqqsd8j0ma 
 For us old guys. The post death metal Amorphis (anything after Eligy) isn't even the same band.  
 https://image.nostr.build/85ebba036bfadc5c6ebc2b0132ce90507164c752f4696e74004d96f0ee8d64b8.jpg

For this week's #metaltransmittedbyrelays I present Old Forest.

https://youtu.be/bZX-xraneR0

Classic black metal sound, but with quite a lot of clean vocals, and perhaps a slight touch of prog.

https://youtu.be/9zZ4YKHN0GY

https://youtu.be/ML5c_pSEZ_4

#metal #tunestr #heavymetal #music #grownostr

More metal awesomeness here

nostr:nevent1qqstpy6spamejdzy2atlcjphlkvljtuj6w9fqxm3n2fgfqc3px5wyjgpzdmhxue69uhhwmm59e6hg7r09ehkuef0qgs8ja6sqsw3xe4gp4z7zvxgx8c9v26lwfnxv2c84nh4ph25r0az2dgrqsqqqqqpq6wsat 
 This week on #metaltransmittedbyrelays we're going to hear some cheesy power metal. Power metal bands are known for each having their schtick. Usually it's some type of overt fantasy theme. 

In tonight's example, it's Norse Mythology.

https://youtu.be/v5yYMjU8xDg

Brothers of Metal is a Swedish band featuring male and female vocals, and a good dose of humor in their lyrics and music videos.

https://youtu.be/FLQnrOZmZoc

https://youtu.be/SlzLplEogrs

https://youtu.be/E90K_BhbEtA

#metal #tunestr #heavymetal #music #grownostr

More metal awesomeness here

nostr:nevent1qqsr9z65g43tv0xmnxmhztfe68x4ac3cn40u2m73ruce796fg7p2rtspz4mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduhsygrewagqg8gnv65q630pxryrruzk9d0hyenx9vr6em6sm42ph739x5psgqqqqqqsg8y07d 
 Brothers of Metal is definitely what my music collection needed added to it. There's a ton of good viking themed folk, death, and black metal I'm all but growing bored with after years of listening to the same thing, but you can never go wrong with the good old fashioned corniness of power metal.

Being unable to laugh at yourself is a sign of weakness just like any other. 
 Just to say that your recommendations don't go unnoticed, Jordan 😉 That Old Forest album is sweet 👌 
 For this #metaltransmittedbyrelays note, I present Omnium Gatherum.

https://youtu.be/ubmuUiozKyo

Though melodic death metal originated in Sweden, it quickly spread to Finland, and these guys represent the Finnish metal scene very well.

https://youtu.be/gowDWEr5SDY

If you don't generally use the word "beautiful" to describe death metal, then you just haven't heard Omnium Gatherum yet. I discovered them through their New World Shadows album, which is an absolute masterpiece of melodeath.

https://youtu.be/6Au_6Ud9LVk

#metal #tunestr #heavymetal #music #grownostr

Continue down the metal rabbit hole with these previous notes.

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