(written by Islander)”Folk Metal” is such a sloppy label. It has been applied to such an extraordinarily broad range of bands who sound very little alike that it’s a near-useless appellation — near useless because it doesn’t tell you what kind of “folk” or what kind of “metal” or how those intertwined influences (whatever they are) might play out together.

And so, we’re steering way clear of that genre term as we introduce you to I Haggans Afton, the latest album from the wicked Swedish band Bergsvriden, which will see release tomorrow via the Dusktone label.

Even if you’re unfamiliar with Bergsvriden, you could guess that their music has a folk influence, else why would we begin by even mentioning the “folk metal” pigeonhole? But it’s the details that matter, and especially for listeners who might reflexively shy away from anything associated with that label. Continue reading »