“We are to Vikings what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are to turtles.” Eihwar have brought chaos to the European folk metal scene with their Viking war trance – could they be its next big thing?
Eihwar, a Viking-themed folk metal act blending war drums, throat-singing and EDM-influenced beats, are drawing packed crowds and building a cult following across the European folk metal scene. The band, who perform in full pagan warrior costume and stay in character throughout interviews, describe their concept as an exaggerated, theatrical take on Norse culture, likening themselves to Vikings in the way the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles relate to actual turtles. Louder's writer witnessed the atmosphere firsthand at a sold-out show at the Dome in North London, where metalheads, pagans and other fans threw themselves into the performance.
The feature centres on an interview with band member Asrunn, who appeared still dressed as a wolf-skull-wearing shaman during the conversation, alongside a bandmate in Viking chainmail and a spangenhelm helmet. Their live show combines traditional-sounding percussion and vocals with a driving electronic dance beat, a hybrid sound the article suggests could position Eihwar as one of the genre's breakout acts.
In short
- Viking-themed band Eihwar merge folk metal, war drums and EDM.
- They performed to a packed, costumed crowd in North London.
- Band stays in character, likening itself to a stylised Viking pastiche.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Eihwar's self-aware theatricality represents a legitimate and honest approach to engaging with cultural material for entertainment. By explicitly presenting themselves as exaggerated rather than claiming historical authenticity, they create defensible space for creative evolution and innovation within folk metal. Their success demonstrates that audiences value this transparent fusion of heritage with contemporary production when presented with integrity rather than false claims.
The case against
Even transparent theatricality raises legitimate questions about commodifying culturally significant traditions primarily for commercial entertainment purposes. Folk metal's value includes genuine connection to actual heritage; when Viking and pagan imagery functions mainly as costume for commercial music products, such traditions risk becoming aesthetic accessories regardless of the band's self-aware tone. Critics might reasonably contend that packaging cultural heritage as exaggerated spectacle, however knowingly, fundamentally serves commercial interests over cultural respect.
Explained simply
Folk metal combines heavy metal with musical styles, instruments or themes drawn from folklore and regional traditions. Norse mythology and Viking imagery are common influences, though modern bands often use them as artistic material rather than claiming to represent historical Viking life.
Eihwar are a European act who mix drum-led, chant-like vocals with electronic dance rhythms, and build their performances around theatrical warrior characters. Asrunn and the other members stay in costume and in character, presenting their version of Norse-inspired culture as deliberately exaggerated.
Their growing crowds reflect interest in folk metal that combines historical or mythic imagery with contemporary sounds and spectacle. The wider scene includes metal fans, people drawn to pagan traditions and listeners who come for the live performance.
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