Tolkien in black metal.

Carnifex Umbris · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:11 am

I'm currently taking a seminar on Tolkien for which we have to write a big research paper at the end of the semester. I want to look at, in part, the influence of Tolkien on black metal. If anyone can point me toward black metal bands that have a lot of Tolkien influence in them, especially in their lyrics or names (like Gorgoroth, Burzum, etc.), it would be a massive help.

Eyesore · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:29 am

Carnifex Umbris wrote:

I'm currently taking a seminar on Tolkien for which we have to write a big research paper at the end of the semester. I want to look at, in part, the influence of Tolkien on black metal. If anyone can point me toward black metal bands that have a lot of Tolkien influence in them, especially in their lyrics or names (like Gorgoroth, Burzum, etc.), it would be a massive help.

Of course, I don't know any black metal bands and you're probably going to be like, "I said black metal, asshole!" but Battlelore are like doom-death and they're probably the one band out there that does complete justice to the Tolkien name. They're so badass.

Ness · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 5:35 am

Isengard

JÃ¼rgen · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 6:28 am

Horna used to have Tolkien-inspired lyrics and pseudonyms.

PhyrWolf · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 6:56 am

I can't think of anything else but Summoning right now but you can see little nods towards some fantasy books in the names of many bands and songs. Not just black metal.

Carnifex Umbris · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:15 am

PhyrWolf wrote:

I can't think of anything else but Summoning right now but you can see little nods towards some fantasy books in the names of many bands and songs. Not just black metal.

Very true, but I'm looking at black metal because of the parallel influence of "northern" culture, and the fact that it's terribly ironic for all those deeply anti-Christian bands to have adopted names and themes from Tolkien.

North From Here · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 8:57 am

Bands like Summoning ( perfect example for your paper) tend to emphasize the dark side elements from Tolkien in their lyrics. All of their lyrics and concepts are directly relevant to your topic. Good luck.

Radagast · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:04 am

metalNESS wrote:

Isengard

Bwahaha they suck so bad. That was Fenriz' solo project, yeah? That Winterskugge demo compilation is comical.

Kathaarian · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 11:58 am

Radagast wrote:

metalNESS wrote:

Isengard

Bwahaha they suck so bad. That was Fenriz' solo project, yeah? That Winterskugge demo compilation is comical.

Yeah it is only Fenriz. Hostmorke is a very good album.

Goat · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:24 pm

Radagast wrote:

metalNESS wrote:

Isengard

Bwahaha they suck so bad. That was Fenriz' solo project, yeah? That Winterskugge demo compilation is comical.

It's not that bad.

Ummm...
Minas Tirith and Morgul come to mind immediatly, searching AArchives gives this:

Quote:

1-33 of 33
1. Agarwaen Black Metal Occult, works of Tolkien
2. Arathorn Medieval Black Metal Medieval, tolkien, norse mythology
3. Avathar (Fin) Black/Folk Metal Tolkien Themes
4. Aysenlur Epic Black Metal Medieval, Tolkien
5. Azagatel Black metal Tolkien
6. Black Jade Black Metal J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings
7. Covens Folk Black Metal Blackness, Tolkien's Worlds, Dark Emotions
8. Dunedain NS Black Metal NS, Ancient Wars, Grimness, J.R.R. Tolkien
9. Fashoht Stâz Melodic black metal The Dark Sides of Tolkien books
10. Flying Nazgûl Black Metal Works of Tolkien, Lord of the Rings
11. Gaurhoth Black Metal Tolkien-related, archaic, poetic, dark
12. Gorbalrog Melodic Black Metal Tolkien, darkness, winter, nihilism
13. Gorthaur (Ger) Black Metal Tolkien
14. Gorthaur's Wrath Black Metal Satan, madness, J.R.R. Tolkien
15. Grimorc Black Metal Tolkien's Mythology
16. Gurthang Black Metal Fantasy, Tolkien
17. Helms Deep Black/Thrash/Power/Death/Doom Metal War, Tolkien, Pain
18. High Prophet Epic Pagan Black Metal Fantasy, Paganism, Tolkien
19. Hithlum Pagan Black Metal Tolkien, Fantasy
20. Holocaust (Pol) Black Metal Darkness, Hatred, Tolkien's Worlds
21. Indrâzor Atmospheric Black/Death Metal (before) / Progressive/Gothic Rock (now) medieval, Tolkien, monsters, legends
22. Minas Morgul (Pol) Pagan Folk Black Metal Folk, Tolkien
23. Mordorzhög Black/Folk Metal Satanism, Tolkien, Norse-history
24. Nargothrond (Prt) Black Metal J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy Universe
25. Nergal (Rus) Melodic Black Metal Mythology, Tolkien
26. Ringwraith Black Metal Tolkien's stories, Lord of the Ring
27. Rivendell Folkish epic black metal Tolkien
28. Spawn of the Matriarch Black Metal War, Lovecraftian/Tolkien Themes, Chess
29. Summoning Epic/Atmospheric Black Metal Fantasy, esp. Tolkien, Moorcock, Medieval
30. Taliesin Black Metal Tolkien, NS, nature
31. Torech Ungol Black Metal Tolkien Worlds, Ancient Times, Paganism
32. Valar Black Metal/Ambient The Lord Of The Rings, Tolkien
33. Zabiis Epic/Atmospheric Doom/Black Metal Tolkien, Nature

Anonymous · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:53 pm

Carnifex Umbris wrote:

PhyrWolf wrote:

I can't think of anything else but Summoning right now but you can see little nods towards some fantasy books in the names of many bands and songs. Not just black metal.

Very true, but I'm looking at black metal because of the parallel influence of "northern" culture, and the fact that it's terribly ironic for all those deeply anti-Christian bands to have adopted names and themes from Tolkien.

Why is it ironic? Sure, Tolkien was deeply Christian, but his story of creation was strictly Neo-Platonic.

Ness · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:01 pm

Radagast wrote:

metalNESS wrote:

Isengard

Bwahaha they suck so bad. That was Fenriz' solo project, yeah? That Winterskugge demo compilation is comical.

Heh heh, I've never heard it actually. I just remembered the name.

EisenFaust · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 2:27 pm

I can't think of any beyond the ones already mentioned...

Lord Jotun · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:27 pm

If it counts, the lyrics to Marduk's Those of the Unlight are about the nine Nazgul. Abigor had some Tolkien references in their early days (for one, their first demo was called Ash Nazg...).

Carnifex Umbris · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:53 pm

Slayer Of Kings wrote:

Carnifex Umbris wrote:

PhyrWolf wrote:

I can't think of anything else but Summoning right now but you can see little nods towards some fantasy books in the names of many bands and songs. Not just black metal.

Very true, but I'm looking at black metal because of the parallel influence of "northern" culture, and the fact that it's terribly ironic for all those deeply anti-Christian bands to have adopted names and themes from Tolkien.

Why is it ironic? Sure, Tolkien was deeply Christian, but his story of creation was strictly Neo-Platonic.

That's precisely why I find it ironic. Especially with people like Varg; when a German publisher sent Tolkien a letter asking if he was Caucasian, he replied in a very arch manner that no, he was English of German extraction, not from the Caucuses at all, and he couldn't, unfortunately, claim any Jewish ancestry, either.

Morlock · **Posted:** Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:10 am

How has no one mentioned Amon Amarth yet

crast · **Joined:** Thu Feb 09, 2006 1:29 pm **Posts:** 1502

Morlock wrote:

How has no one mentioned Amon Amarth yet

It's only thier name that has any connection to Tolkien, thier lyrics are mostly about vikings.

.:crast:.

Metalhead_Bastard · **Posted:** Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:08 am

Sauron-they are thrash, but black/thrash really, and you could say that ye hear no thrash in their music...

Fingon · **Joined:** Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:11 pm **Posts:** 3207

Tolkien> black metal :roll: :wink:

Carnifex Umbris · **Posted:** Sun Mar 12, 2006 2:46 am

First of all, thank you all for the suggestions. They've been quite helpful.

I'm now asking for another bit of assistance. Does anyone know where I can find Gorgoroth lyrics? They seem to be rather reluctant to release any.

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