The Pussycat Dolls’ comeback is not going as planned. First, there was drama about Jessica Sutta and Carmit Bachar’s exclusion from the new lineup, which consists only of Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, and Ashley Roberts. Now, the group has canceled all but one North American tour dates following reports of weak ticket sales.
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Will Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift attend the 2026 Met Gala? Here’s what’s known about the event and if they’ll go.
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Plus A Day To Remember, Rise Against, BABYMETAL and more.
The post Linkin Park, Turnstile, Spiritbox, Coheed And Cambria, Etc. Set For ‘Forza Horizon 6’ Soundtrack appeared first on Theprp.com.
Petey Pablo’s Timbaland-produced 2001 anthem “Raise Up” is almost certainly the greatest song ever written about taking your shirt off, twisting it around your hand, and spinning it like a helicopter. Over the past quarter century, Petey Pablo’s career has been through peaks and valleys, including a two-year stay in federal prison for the time he tried to bring a stolen gun on board a commercial flight. But “Raise Up” has never gone away. Just this year, it’s been heavily referenced on songs from A$AP Rocky and Pablo’s fellow North Carolina rapper J. Cole. Now, “Raise Up” could become North Carolina’s official state hip-hop song.
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It’s not every day we get to hear new music from Marnie Stern. Today might not even be that day unless you pay up. Stern has returned with “Trix Are For Kids,” her first new song since 2023’s The Comeback Kid. For now, it’s only on Bandcamp, and it’s not streaming unless you buy it.…
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STOCKHOLM, SE — The frozen landscapes of Scandinavia birthed a movement that changed the trajectory of extreme music forever, as Viking metal continues to dominate the global heavy metal consciousness in 2026. What began as a rebellious departure from the Satanic tropes of early black metal has evolved into a massive, cinematic subgenre that blends historical storytelling with crushing technicality. From the legendary basement tapes of Quorthon to the pyrotechnic-laden arena shows of Amon Amarth, the “Spirit of the North” remains an indomitable force in the metal world.
Ranking Viking metal bands is a task that requires more than just a list of names; it requires an understanding of the fundamental shift from the occult to the ancestral that occurred in the late 1980s. At Loaded Radio, we’ve tracked this evolution from its primal, frost-bitten origins to the sophisticated, multi-layered arrangements seen in 2026.
Viking metal isn’t just a genre; it’s a sonic reclamation of history. It’s about the tension between the harshness of the elements and the majesty of the sagas. Whether it’s the use of traditional folk instruments like the tagelharpa or the implementation of soaring clean-sung choirs, these 13 acts represent the absolute pinnacle of the craft.
While the genre was born in the North, Germany’s Falkenbach proved that atmosphere is the ultimate currency. The one-man project of Vratyas Vakyas is a masterclass in what we call “Cinematic Viking.” Eschewing the frantic blast beats of his contemporaries, Vakyas focuses on vast, misty keyboard soundscapes and mid-tempo marches that evoke the feeling of standing alone on a frozen fjord. It is the “thinking man’s” Viking metal, prioritizing mood over muscle.
Where to Start: …Ok Nefna Tysvar Ty… (2003)
These Dutch warriors are unique on this list for their ability to make the listener feel like they are sitting in a mead hall before a raid. Heidevolk’s secret weapon is their use of dual, clean male harmonies—a choice that creates a “war-torn choir” effect rarely seen in extreme music. They move away from black metal grit, leaning instead into a traditional “Heavy Metal” foundation that is undeniably infectious and anthemic.
Where to Start: Walhalla Wacht (2008)
If you seek true linguistic and cultural authenticity, you look to Iceland. Skálmöld performs exclusively in Icelandic, weaving complex ancient sagas into a dense, three-guitar attack. They are among the most technical and heavy bands in the modern era, utilizing a crushing death metal delivery that proves the language of the ancestors is the perfect vehicle for modern aggression.
Where to Start: Börn Loka (2012)
This is “Battle Metal” at its most flamboyant and theatrical. Clad in their iconic red-and-black war paint, Finland’s Turisas brought the accordion and violin to the frontlines of the genre. Their sound is symphonic, over-the-top, and unapologetically epic. If you want to experience the sheer triumph of a cavalry charge through song, this is your mandatory soundtrack.
Where to Start: The Varangian Way (2007)
Named after the celestial wolf that swallows the moon, Månegarm has spent three decades perfecting the delicate balance between “Savage” and “Soulful.” As pillars of the Swedish scene, they masterfully blend black metal riffs with traditional folk flutes and violins. Erik Grawsiö’s vocals remain some of the most versatile in the genre, shifting seamlessly from animalistic growls to evocative clean passages.
Where to Start: Vargstenen (2007)
Hailing from the remote Faroe Islands, Týr brings a scholarly, progressive edge to the Viking world. Led by the virtuosic Heri Joensen, their music is mathematically complex yet remains deeply rooted in Faroese folk melodies. They act as the “Power Metal” bridge to the genre, focusing on clean, soaring vocals and intricate guitar harmonies that would make Iron Maiden proud.
Where to Start: Ragnarok (2006)
The story of Windir is one of the most tragic and enduring in the history of metal. The project of Terje “Valfar” Bakken, Windir pioneered “Sognametal”—a unique cocktail of harsh black metal and folk-inspired synth melodies. Valfar tragically froze to death in a blizzard in 2004, but his music remains a haunting, beautiful monument to the Norwegian wilderness and a cornerstone of the genre’s DNA.
Where to Start: 1184 (2001)
One of the foundational pillars of the Norwegian movement, Einherjer has maintained a “gritty” and authentic approach since the mid-90s. They avoid the symphonic polish of their peers in favor of pure, mid-tempo stomps and anthemic choruses. They represent the “working man’s” Viking metal—rugged, honest, and focused on the heavy metal spirit.
Where to Start: Dragons of the North (1996)
While many of their peers looked toward Black Metal for inspiration, Unleashed brought the raw power of Swedish Death Metal to Valhalla. As part of the “Stockholm Big Four,” they were the first major death metal band to consistently swap gore for Viking lore. Johnny Hedlund’s lyrics regarding Norse heritage proved that the genre’s themes were not exclusive to the black metal scene.
Where to Start: Where No Life Dwells (1991)
Commonly known as the “Sword-Bearers,” Ensiferum is the high-energy gold standard for folk-infused Viking metal. Their music is a relentless storm of galloping riffs and massive, clean-sung choral arrangements. For any newcomer looking for the “gateway drug” into the genre, Ensiferum provides the perfect blend of catchiness and extreme metal intensity.
Where to Start: Iron (2004)
Emerging from the notorious early 90s Norwegian scene, Enslaved was always the most “intelligent” band in the room. They took Viking mythology and projected it through a psychedelic, progressive lens that defied easy categorization. Over 30 years later, they continue to evolve, but their early work remains the definitive blueprint for “Viking Black Metal.”
Where to Start: Frost (1994)
The global ambassadors of the North. No other band has done more to bring Norse mythology to the masses than these Swedish melodic death metal giants. With Johan Hegg’s thunderous roar and a stage show that often includes full-scale Viking ships, they have turned the underground into an arena-filling empire. They are the definition of “Modern Viking.”
Where to Start: Twilight of the Thunder God (2008)
There is no debate. Without the visionary Quorthon, this genre simply does not exist. While he initially gained fame in raw black metal, 1990’s Hammerheart was the “Big Bang” for the Viking sound. The acoustic passages, the waves crashing on the shore, the epic 10-minute sagas—Quorthon invented it all. Every band on this list is a branch on the tree that he planted.
Where to Start: Hammerheart (1990)
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