Metal Reviews

I just got done listening to Bathory's Hammerheart, and I'm looking for any Viking metal stuff that is underground and has very little or no black metal influence at all. Possibly reminiscent of Kampfar's later material or even Kawir if the bm influence is kept to a minimum. Thanks for your help as always guys

Primordial or newer Morrigan. Scald (the Russians) are sometimes considered viking, although I think of them as epic doom. Check them out either way, their only album is a genuine masterpiece, albeit rather unknown.

Some of Forefather's material suits what you describe. It's a bit of a mixed bag with them. Some black/viking metal stuff, but also some mostly black metal free viking material.

Examples:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2daMFuvx5U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpDpegtlSkY

AMON AMARTH!! Umm just kidding.

Uh, I assume you've heard Unleashed?

I second Forefather, great band, especially the last two, Ours is the Kingdom and Steadfast. They don't like being called Viking Metal, but Anglo-Saxon Metal same shit actually, only with lyrics about England.

Solstafir.

Not the last album but their 1996 EP (Till Valhallar) and debut album (name in icelandic, see metal archives) were pretty good. Also, Masterpiece of Bitterness - their second album -, still has a lot of viking vibes. It's a GREAT album, btw.

Hugin Munin

last time i checked these guys were just putting out there first album, worth a listen.

I was going to say Hades from Norway but they are BM although very Bathory influenced. I also second Masterpiece of Bitterness.