Metal of Middle Earth

J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings has leapt into the public consciousness since the release of Peter Jackson's epic films in the early years of the 21st century. It has provided society with a fantasy framework for generations, and has more recently become an accepted part of the zeitgeist, with Frodo Baggins and the One Ring being well known even to those who would normally never read fantasy.

But long before the world got Hobbit fever, the metal scene was drawing inspiration from the entire Middle Earth universe for lyrical themes and band names. Recently I've been listening to Summoning, a black metal band from Austria who feature the Middle Earth mythology as a primary source of their subject matter. With album names like Minas Morgul and Dol Guldur it's pretty blatant.

Of course, using such well established fantasy lore as inspiration can be seen as something of a cop out. All the hard work is done, and you just have to sing songs about it. However, the sheer range of metal styles out there, all drawing from one common source, is incredible. Many of the bands are black metal, as befits the fantasy theme. But others may surprise.

Summoning

As previously mentioned, Summoning have long drawn from Tolkien's well for inspiration. Their later works feature a more epic sound, with choirs and (simulated) orchestras taking the folk/black metal songs to levels more fitting to Middle Earth's grandeur. They have even, on occasion, written lyrics in the black language of Mordor, although there are few now who understand it.

Ephel Duath

And now for something completely different. Ephel Duath are an avante-garde progressive hardcore punk/jazz fusion band. It's hard to even begin to imagine what that sounds like. Named for the western mountains of the land of Mordor, Ephel Dúath, the band's involvement with the LotR mythology starts and ends with the name. Have a listen, and see if your brain can handle it.

Fornost Arnor

I have written about Fornost Arnor before after discovering their latest album, Death Of A Rose. Moving from symphonic black metal stylings to something more progressive, Fornost Arnor have been compared favourably to the styling of Opeth. Named for the capital city of Arthedain in the land of Arnor, Fornost Erain.

Cirith Ungol

Cirith Ungol were a doom metal band from California between 1972 and 1992. Possibly the oldest LotR themed metal band that I am aware of. Unlike some LotR named bands, Cirith Ungol were both named for and drew inspiration from Lord of the Rings. Cirith Ungol is the pass into Mordor in which Shelob the spider lives, and in which Frodo was nearly devoured. It is close to another place popular with the metal crowd, Minas Morgul.

Minas Morgul

Minas Morgul is the city of the Nazgǔl in the land of Mordor, and is a contraction of the city's full name, Minas Ithil in the Morgul Vale. It is the home of the witch-king of Angmar and the black riders, the Nazgǔl, who pursue the fellowship of the ring. It is also a black/pagan metal band from Germany who product some pretty powerful black metal. Sung entirely in German, the black metal vocal has a certain extra quality and ferocity.

Gorgoroth

Gorgoroth is a stereotypical Norwegian black metal, complete with face paint, spiky arm bands and fake blood applied liberally. They've been around for a long while and so are well known in the scene. They have had plenty of controversy for their gruesome live shows and less than amicable relationship with their fans. Gorgoroth is also a plateau in north-west Mordor, in the midst of which stands Mount Doom.

Amon Amarth

Considering that Amon Amarth are most well known for Viking inspired melodic death metal, it may seem strange that they are named for a place in the Lord of the Rings. Many people are not familiar with the place, because it is hardly ever referred to by the name Amon Amarth. It is a Sindarin translation of the name of Mount Doom, the mountain in Gorgoroth into which Frodo eventually throws the one ring.

Blind Guardian

Power metal mainstays Blind Guardian produced Nightfall in Middle-Earth, based on the Silmarillion, in 1998. The album contains a mixture of songs and spoken word telling the story of the War of the Jewels. In addition, the band were also in negotiations to appear on the soundtrack for Peter Jackson's LotR trilogy. This fell through, though, because the band wanted to concentrate on their next album.

Mostly Autumn

Despite not being metal in the slightest, I'm including Mostly Autumn here because they are one of my favourite prog folk/rock bands. The title of Music Inspired By The Lord Of The Rings is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Prog rock with folk influences, about the Lord of the Rings. I consider it the prog alternative for Howard Shore's modern classical masterpiece.