Rockpedia

Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

Celtic punk1985

Second genre

Folk metal1993

Head to headCeltic punk vs Folk metal
Celtic punk: heaviness 4, melody 9, speed 7. Folk metal: heaviness 6, melody 9, speed 6.Heaviness4 / 6Melody9 / 9Speed7 / 6
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Folk metal solves an identical arrangement problem on the metal branch, and several bands cite the Pogues directly.

Folk metal is part sung, part screamed where Celtic punk is shouted, at much the same pace, around 120 to 190 bpm. Songs run longer in folk metal: usually 4 to 7 minutes, against 2½ to 4 minutes in Celtic punk. To hear the difference, play The Pogues next to Skyclad. Celtic punk comes from the rock side of the tree and folk metal from the metal side, and Celtic punk came first, by eight years.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
Celtic punk4
Folk metal6
+2
Speed
Celtic punk7
Folk metal6
−1
Melody
Celtic punk9
Folk metal9
level

Celtic punk

1985 · London / Boston

Where it sits

Rock › Punk rock › Celtic punk

In short

Tin whistle, mandolin and accordion over distorted guitar. Irish pub songs turned up to eleven.

How it sounds

  • Mandolin, banjo, accordion, tin whistle and fiddle beside electric guitar.
  • Jig and reel rhythms accelerated to punk tempo.
  • Choruses for singing in unison, pint in hand - amplified pub music.

Key acts

  • The Pogues
  • Dropkick Murphys
  • Flogging Molly

Start here

The pickThe Pogues - Rum Sodomy & the Lash. Produced by Elvis Costello, and it shows.

Full page →

Folk metal

1993 · UK / Finland · 4 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Folk metal

In short

Traditional instruments and folk melodies built into metal. Every region has written its own version.

How it sounds

  • Real traditional instruments - fiddle, pipes, flute, accordion - not just synthesizer patches.
  • Modal melodies from local folk music used as the main riff.
  • Folk dance rhythms adapted to a metal drum kit.

Key acts

  • Skyclad
  • Korpiklaani
  • Eluveitie
  • Finntroll

Start here

The pickFinntroll - Nattfödd. Black metal at Finnish polka tempo, and it works.

Full page →