November 20, 2021 — Considering the dominance of Scandinavian folk metal in the late 90s, it is amazing how folk metal has exploded and become a key factor in the ascension of global metal, with acts as diverse as The Hu, Bloodywood, and Nine Treasures flying the flag for how folk metal allows international artists to explore a love for the genre while championing their national and cultural identities.
November 19, 2021 — The week is not done until music fans have read up on the latest neo- and dark folk tracks that have been released recently. There is plenty to enjoy in this roundup, with many of the tracks (successfully) relying on the power of string instruments to carry the signature sounds of Norse culture (while we have heard some of the tracks before, new music videos provide a fresh, different experience.)
November 17, 2021 — Whether you prefer the black metal sound of Enslaved or the more traditional folk ambiance from Wardruna, one cannot understate the impact Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik have had on their respective genres. It should come as a surprise to no one that great things happen when these two musicians work together, like their 2018 album Hugsjá.
November 15, 2021 — Age of Empires III was released in 2005, and with the release of Age of Empires IV in October, it has awakened the sleeping strategy game franchise with a proper sequel that is not a “Definitive Edition” or anything like that, but a proper sequel to satisfy fans of the series while leaving the door open for players not familiar with the franchise that launched decades ago in 1997.
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November 14, 2021 — With another week of sparse releases, Kurgan Compass™ readers need not worry as what has been released is top quality. We bring the best new music from artists like Dreyma and Gåte, a teaser for the upcoming debut album by Swedish artist Urferd, and a solid metal collaboration by Peyton Parrish and Jonathan Young, and then some.
November 12, 2021 — Ever prolific, British one-man neofolk project Herknungr (a customized, “artistic license” Old Norse spelling for “warrior king”) has released four albums in 2021 alone. In doing so, Herknungr has been able to explore myriad tones and facets of his Nordic-inspired soundscapes.
November 6, 2021 — This week’s roundup features a number of songs that each takes inspiration from past events or music. Whether it be a region of Norway, an old folk ballad, or one of the most famous events of World War I, these artists have brought the past to the present.
October 31, 2021 — The past week in neofolk and related metal was definitely a slim one. Thankfully, slim as they may be, the releases that caught our attention happen to deliver an eclectic assortment of music and news that genre fans will totally enjoy diving into.
October 23, 2021 — Making up for last week’s relatively sparse roundup, this one is brimming with thunderous vocals, rhythmic melodies, and the folksy sounds of Norse culture. A septet of artists unknowingly pooled together to deliver on a stellar playlist fit for the Kurgan Compass audience.
October 17, 2021 — Today’s weekly roundup may look sparse on the surface but is, in fact, abundant as the past few days were graced by releases from two highly competent neofolk artists pulling some lesser-known inspiration from the roots of Nordic culture and in doing so deliver two tracks that both have fascinating stories to tell — coupled by great performances.
October 10, 2021 — Fans will agree there is often something ritualistic about the pounding rhythms and haunting vocals of neofolk as if each track is calling upon some greater being. It is the magical blend of antiquated sounds of generations gone and modern musical concepts that keep listeners engrossed in various folk compositions.
October 9, 2021 — Kurgan Compass™ speaks to Vévaki’s frontman and founder Will Hunter about where the band is heading next, a bit about the musical stylings of last year’s Edda album, the instrumentation necessary to create ancient music, the new band members, and more.
October 6, 2021 — Norwegian trio DROTT’s debut album ORCUS is a fascinating, memorable, and stylish journey through multiple genres all the way to the underworld and back again. Released in late September, DROTT’s LP invokes the works of Inon Zur’s Fallout and Alexey Omelchuk’s Metro soundtracks alongside the post-rock cinematics of Explosions In The Sky.
October 5, 2021 — As a child, Janus Pedersen was fascinated by drums. Perhaps then, this explains the prevalence of percussion found in his dark-folk project Heldom. Surprise-launching his second album Vaknan a year after releasing his first LP, Heldom again taps into the neofolk tide.
October 2, 2021 — In this weekly roundup, several smaller developers take the spotlight with dark narratives and brutal gameplay. Worlds of darkness and madness tear through the fabrics of reality, their morose and Grimm imagery a telltale sign of a blood-soaked future. These stories, crafted by shadow-soul imaginations, are what graces the gaming fabric of Kurgan Compass™.
September 30, 2021 — From a writer trapped in the hell of the Pacific Northwest to the rise of the Sith, September featured a bevy of video games we cannot help but board the hype train for. Thanks to the PlayStation Showcase on September 9, players were treated to some dark, gothic, and fantastical tales that we are sure will satiate that appetite for the macabre that so many gamers share.
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We write of folklore, film & series, music, video games, and strange stories.
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