Being a folk lover, I decided (like many people don't) to not limit myself to your typical "viking/fantasy/celtic/slavonic folk/pagan elements + black/death metal" soup. This list is the story of how I came to broadening (and I seriously had to) my conception of what folk is. For it took me some time to realize that folk could stand for "folklore", but also for "people" (sometimes for both). And that some bands were pushing more on one side than on the other.

1. Agalloch - Some of their records are more atmospheric black metal, but a lot of them have a huge neofolk touch, a la Sol Invictus.

2. Blackmore's Night - These minstrels play a very refreshing medieval/Renaissance inspired music, with rock elements. Just relax and enjoy while sitting by a fire.

3. Braia - If you've heard of Tuatha De Danann, you may know this band. "Braia" comes from the name of Bruno Maia, who played in TDD. This band is his solo project, and it's a very interesting mix of Celtic and Portuguese/Brazilian music.

4. Dead Can Dance - Despite being much more of an ambient/new age band, I find a lot of their songs (depending on the album) to incorporate folk elements (medieval, Celtic, Middle-Eastern,...).

5. Ego Fall - This band from northern China plays a mix between metalcore and traditional Mongol music. I tend to dislike metalcore, but this band became "my" exception.

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1. Van Halen - Van Halen

2. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

3. Cradle Of Filth - Damnation And A Day

4. Immortal - Sons Of Northern Darkness

5. Deicide - When Satan Lives

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