The world of metal music is vast and diverse, with subgenres ranging from thrash metal to death metal and beyond. Among these various niches is a unique category known as “Tolkien metal,” a genre that centers around the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, particularly “The Lord of the Rings.”
Summoning: The Most Notable Tolkien Metal Band
Of all the bands that fall under the Tolkien metal umbrella, Summoning is perhaps the most well-known. This Austrian duo, consisting of Silenius and Protector, formed in 1993 and quickly gained a cult following with their atmospheric and epic soundscapes that evoke the landscapes and mythology of Middle-earth.
What sets Summoning apart from other Tolkien metal bands is their heavy use of spoken word samples from films, radio plays, and other sources that relate to Tolkien’s writings. These snippets, placed over their ethereal compositions, help to transport the listener even further into the world of Middle-earth.
Summoning’s most famous album is “Dol Guldur,” which takes its name from one of the evil fortresses of Sauron in “The Lord of the Rings.” The album features songs with titles like “Nightshade Forests” and “Soul Wandering,” which capture the mood and spirit of Tolkien’s works.
Isengard: A One-Man Tolkien Metal Band
Another notable Tolkien metal project is Isengard, a solo venture by Fenriz, best known as the drummer for the Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone. Fenriz’s Isengard releases were mostly done in the early 1990s and showcase a style that combines black metal with traditional folk elements to create a unique Tolkien-inspired sound.
Isengard’s lyrics are often in Norwegian, and while they may not always directly reference Tolkien’s works, the influence of Middle-earth can be felt in the themes and imagery Fenriz employs. Isengard’s most celebrated release is “Vinterskugge” (“Winter Shadow”), a compilation of songs from various demos and EPs that pulls together Fenriz’s Tolkien-inspired material into one comprehensive package.
Other Notable Tolkien Metal Bands
While Summoning and Isengard stand out as the most notable Tolkien metal bands, there are plenty of other groups that fall under the category. Here are a few other notable examples:
– Blind Guardian: This German power metal band has been heavily influenced by Tolkien since their early days and have released several albums with songs inspired by “The Lord of the Rings.”
– Battlelore: This Finnish band combines symphonic metal with elements of Tolkien’s mythology, with album titles like “Sword’s Song” and “The Last Alliance.”
– Rivendell: Named after the elven city in “The Lord of the Rings,” Rivendell is a Swedish band that plays a style of epic and folk-infused black metal that captures the feel of Tolkien’s novels.
Conclusion
Tolkien metal is a niche genre within the broader world of metal music, but it has proven to be a fertile ground for artistic expression and creativity. Bands like Summoning, Isengard, Blind Guardian, Battlelore, and Rivendell have each found unique ways to channel the spirit of Middle-earth into their music, creating a soundscape that’s both epic and immersive. Whether you’re a fan of heavy metal or a die-hard Tolkien enthusiast, the world of Tolkien metal offers something both familiar and new.
FAQ
What band was inspired by LOTR?
JRR Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is not only a literary masterpiece but also a work of art that has inspired numerous artists throughout history. Many Rock and Heavy Metal bands have also drawn inspiration from the epic fantasy novel and incorporated elements from it into their music. Some of the most famous bands to have been influenced by ‘The Lord of the Rings’ include Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Blind Guardian and Rush among others.
Led Zeppelin’s lead singer, Robert Plant, was a huge fan of Tolkien’s work and even referenced the novel in many of the band’s songs. One of their most famous tracks, ‘Ramble On,’ is a tribute to the story of Frodo and his journey through Middle Earth. The band’s fourth album even features a track titled ‘The Battle of Evermore,’ which was inspired by the Battle of Pelennor Fields from the novel.
Similarly, Black Sabbath’s ‘The Wizard’ was heavily influenced by the character of Gandalf, while ‘War Pigs’ references the Black Riders from the novel. Blind Guardian, a German power metal band, has even dedicated their entire career to adapting Tolkien’s works into music. The band has released several albums inspired by ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ including ‘Nightfall in Middle Earth’ and ‘Somewhere Far Beyond.’
Lastly, the Canadian progressive rock band Rush also drew inspiration from Tolkien’s novels in their music. The band’s seventh album, ‘Hemispheres,’ featured a twenty-minute-long track titled ‘Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres’ that was inspired by the novel’s themes of good vs evil and the fight for power.
‘The Lord of the Rings’ has been a favourite among the masses, not just for its literary merit but also for inspiring numerous artists throughout history. Among these artists, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Blind Guardian and Rush are a few of the most conspicuously impacted by Tolkien’s masterpiece.
What metal songs were inspired by Tolkien?
Tolkien’s epic literary works have not only become a major influence in the literary and fantasy genres but have also found their way into various forms of art, including music. Tolkien’s vividly imagined worlds and larger-than-life characters have impressed and inspired many musicians, especially in the metal genre. In particular, the hard rock and classic metal band Led Zeppelin wrote several songs inspired by Tolkien’s works.
“The Battle of Evermore” is one of Led Zeppelin’s most prominent songs inspired by Tolkien. The song is a folk-rock ballad with lyrics referencing to “Ringwraiths in black, riding steeds of night.” As well as using references of the elven queen Arwen and invoking the powerful imagery of Gollum’s riddles. In another song, “Misty Mountain Hop,” Led Zeppelin adapts the setting of the Misty Mountains, and ethereal Kheled-zâram. The line “So I’m packing my bags for the Misty Mountains, where the spirits go now”, references the Mines of Moria where the dwarves encountered the Balrog.
Another Led Zeppelin song, “Ramble On,” details the story of a hero’s quest to find a “secret door.” The chorus itself is a nod to the “Misty Mountains,” but the song’s lyrics also refer to Gollum (“T’was in the darkest depths of Mordor”) and to the evil ruler of Mordor (who’s referred to as “dark Lord” Sauron).
Other metal bands have also drawn inspiration from Tolkien’s works. “The Bard’s Song (In the Forest)” is a song by the German power metal band Blind Guardian, which references several key elements from The Lord of the Rings, such as the journey of Frodo and Samwise, the Mines of Moria, and the Battle of Helm’s Deep.
“Nightfall in Middle-Earth” by Blind Guardian tells the story of The Silmarillion in complete detail.
Iced Earth has also been inspired by Middle Earth for multiple songs, such as “The Coming Curse,” which tells the story of Gollum, and “The Phantom Opera Ghost,” which features the song’s antagonist as “the the young Tom Bombadil.”
Tolkien’S works have inspired several prominent musicians, especially in the metal genre. Led Zeppelin’s use of Tolkien’s works as influence for several of their early works has paved the way for other metal bands to draw similar inspiration. From references to individual characters to the creation of elaborate concept albums, Tolkien’s continuing influence on music demonstrates that the power of his literary imagination continues to reverberate decades after the initial publication of his works.
Who is Gandalf inspired by?
Gandalf is a key character in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic high fantasy novel, The Lord of the Rings. He is a member of the Istari, a group of five wizards who were sent to Middle-earth in the Third Age to help the free peoples of that land to fight against Sauron.
It is said that Gandalf was inspired by several sources, including Norse mythology and old Nordic literature. In particular, Gandalf’s character was influenced by the Norse god Odin. Odin is often described in the old texts as The Wanderer, an old man with one eye, a long white beard, and a broad hat, wearing a cloak and wielding a spear. This is a striking resemblance to Gandalf’s character, who is often depicted as an old man with a long white beard, a tall pointed hat, and a staff.
Moreover, the name Gandalf has its roots in Norse Mythology. In the Poetic and Prose Eddas, the name “Gandalf” appears a few times. The name is typically used to refer to a dwarf, but it is also mentioned in the Hávamál, a collection of Old Norse poems that date back to the 13th century. The Hávamál mentions a Gandalf who is wise but solitary and likes to travel alone. This description mirrors the personality traits of the Gandalf in Tolkien’s work.
Tolkien was fascinated with Norse mythology and language, and it is no surprise that he found inspiration for Gandalf from this rich source. However, Tolkien did not base Gandalf solely on Norse mythology, but several other sources, including the Christian traditions which heavily influenced his writings. For example, Gandalf’s resurrection in The Lord of the Rings can be seen as a nod to the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Bible.
Gandalf is a complex character, and his creation is influenced by several sources, including old Nordic literature, Norse Mythology, and Christian traditions, among others. However, Odin’s character from Norse Mythology has the most striking influences on Gandalf’s character. The resemblance in their appearance, personality traits, and roles in their respective mythologies is unmistakable.
Was Led Zeppelin influenced by Lord of the Rings?
Led Zeppelin was a British rock band that rose to fame in the late 1960s. They are often considered one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time, known for their innovative and diverse sound as well as their lyrical content. While known for their proliferation of the Delta blues, Led Zeppelin also took influence from the unlikeliest places, and they continuously found themselves returning to the works of J. R. R. Tolkien when they needed a moment of inspiration.
The influence of Tolkien’s epic fantasy novels on Led Zeppelin’s music has been well documented. The band’s lead guitarist Jimmy Page was a staunch Tolkien enthusiast and often wove references to Middle-earth into his songwriting. He even went so far as to use quotes from the author’s books in his lyrics, such as in the song “Ramble On” where he borrowed a passage from “The Two Towers.”
But it wasn’t just Page who was drawn to the world of Tolkien. Lead singer Robert Plant was also known to be a fan of the books, and his lyrics were often rich in imagery and allusions to Middle-earth. The band’s 1971 song “Misty Mountain Hop” is a clear nod to Tolkien’s “Misty Mountains,” while the song “The Battle of Evermore” is an epic recounting of a battle fought between good and evil that reads like something straight out of “The Lord of the Rings.”
Led Zeppelin’s affinity for Tolkien went beyond their music, as the band members were known to have read and discussed the books on road trips and during their down time. This shared love for Tolkien’s works even led the band to be dubbed “The Tolkien Rockers” at one point in their career.
While it’s clear that Led Zeppelin’s music was heavily influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, it’s important to note that the band was not a one-trick pony. They drew inspiration from a wide range of sources, such as blues, rock and roll, folk music, and even Celtic mythology. Yet, it’s hard to deny the impact that Tolkien had on Led Zeppelin, as his books played a major role in shaping the band’s sound and lyrical content.
What band is Shire of Frodo based on?
The Shire of Frodo is a fictional band mentioned in the television series “How I Met Your Mother.” The show’s writers have stated that the band was primarily based on the progressive rock bands of the 1970s, including Emerson Lake and Palmer, Yes, King Crimson and Jethro Tull. These bands were known for their intricate and complex music, combining elements of rock, classical music, and jazz.
The Shire of Frodo’s music on the show also features elements of fantasy and science fiction, with songs titled “Storm Over Westeros” and “Winterfell Hymn.” The band’s album cover art seems to be inspired by other progressive rock bands of the era, including Starcastle, Uriah Heep, and Greenslade.
Emerson Lake and Palmer was a British supergroup formed in 1970, known for their virtuosic musicianship and elaborate stage shows that featured flamboyant costumes and pyrotechnics. Yes was also a British band formed in the late 1960s, which combined intricate musicianship with spiritual and philosophical themes in their music. King Crimson, another British band formed in 1968, was known for their experiments with unconventional time signatures and dissonant harmonies. Jethro Tull, a British band formed in 1967, was known for their fusion of folk and rock music.
The Shire of Frodo is a fictional band based on the progressive rock bands of the 1970s. The band combines elements of rock, classical music, and jazz, with a touch of fantasy and science fiction. While the band may not have existed in real life, their music and inspiration can still be enjoyed by fans of classic rock and fantasy.
What was the ring that inspired Tolkien?
J.R.R Tolkien was a British author and poet who was famously known for his epic fantasy novels, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. However, what many people may not know is that the inspiration for the most significant object in The Lord of the Rings series, the One Ring, came from Tolkien’s own life experiences and interests.
Tolkien was an expert in languages and mythology and was heavily influenced by Norse and Finnish folklore. However, when it came to the creation of the One Ring, it was a combination of his interest in philology and personal experiences that sparked his creativity.
The idea of a magical ring that had the power to control others’ minds and wills was not new to mythology, with similar objects appearing in Norse and Greek legends. However, Tolkien’s unique interpretation of the ring, its backstory, and its role in the narrative of The Lord of the Rings was all his own.
In Tolkien’s personal life, he was fascinated by the concept of language and its evolution over time, which led him to study how words and languages had developed throughout history. This interest can be traced back to his youth when he constructed his language called “Animalic” with his friends.
Tolkien’s fascination with language influenced his creation of the One Ring, with the inscription on the ring being written in the fictional language of Black Speech. The language was also used by the orc characters in the series.
Moreover, another significant influence on the One Ring’s creation was Tolkien’s experiences during World War I and the aftermath of the war. The emotions the war generated and its impact on the world can be seen in the series’ themes, such as conflict, power, corruption, and redemption.
The inspiration for the One Ring’s creation was a combination of Tolkien’s interest in philology, Norse and Finnish folklore, and his personal experiences in World War I. His creativity in making a unique backstory for the ring, its inscription, and its role in the narrative made it one of the most memorable and significant objects in modern literature.