British heavy metal is experiencing a revival of "folk horror" influences, with bands such as Green Lung and Druidess drawing on British folklore, cult horror films and pagan imagery rather than generic satanic themes. This matters as it marks a stylistic evolution within metal, echoing a broader cultural pull towards nature and tradition as an escape from screen-based modern life, while also tracing a lineage back to overlooked early-80s pioneers finally getting their due.

Green Lung's forthcoming fourth album, Necropolitan, draws on London's Victorian "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries and the Necropolis railway, blending metal with the spirit of folk acts like Fairport Convention as much as Black Sabbath. Singer Tom Templar argues heavy metal has effectively become a form of folk music, while Druidess's Shonagh Brown links the trend to audiences seeking connection with the natural world. Both bands, alongside UK black metal acts like Winterfylleth, favour a rich, organ-heavy 70s-inspired sound over speed, tracing their roots to underappreciated early-80s bands Witchfinder General and Pagan Altar, only later recognised as founders of UK doom metal.