CfP: Folk-Metal - Critical Essays on Identity, Myth and Culture

Essays are invited for a forthcoming edited collection, Folk-Metal: Critical Essays on Identity, Myth and Culture. Folk-metal and its sub-genres and related categories such as “Pagan-metal”, “Viking-metal”, “Celtic-metal” and “Medieval-metal”, is a style of music that developed in Europe during the 1990s, fusing traditional or folk music with heavy metal music forms. In this musical style, traditional musical instruments are employed as well as lyrical references to folklore, mythology and traditional culture. Material allusions to these themes are also made in album artwork and performers’ dress styles. This genre has a particular aesthetic and rootedness in the cultures of Europe and is intertwined with these cultures in regard to symbols, religion, history, heritage, ethnicity and cultural traditions.
Bands categorised as folk-metal include: Skyclad (England), Cruachan (Ireland), Finntroll (Finland), Skyforger (Latvia), Amon Amarth (Sweden), Amorphis (Finland), Falkenbach (Germany), Waylander (Ireland), Svartsot (Denmark), Metsatöll (Estonia), Empyrium (Germany), Mägo de Oz (Spain), Silent Stream of Godless Elegy (Czech Republic), Korpiklaani (Finland), Mael Mórdha (Ireland), Alkonost (Russia), Balkandji (Bulgaria), Dalriada (Hungary), Lumsk (Norway), Týr (Faroe Islands), Ensiferum (Finland), Celtachor (Ireland), Eluveitie (Switzerland), Elvenking (Italy), Primordial (Ireland).
This interdisciplinary anthology proposes to explore the folk-metal genre as a cultural form in itself, by examining the relationship between the music, national identity and cultural traditions. Contributions are invited from scholars in the disciplines of folkloristics, ethnomusicology, music, cultural studies and related fields.
Suggested themes:
    Folklore, song lyrics, and cultural identity
    Neo-pagan worldview of the bands
    History of the genre, participants and events
    Indigenous religion and mythology
    Political and/or nationalistic agendas
    The concept of homeland
    The representation of deities and mythological beings in songs
    Heroic elements
    Fantasy literature
    Nature, landscape and sacred sites
The above-listed themes are intended to be indicative rather than limiting. The analysis can focus on one or more bands and/or one or more country or region.
Essays must be written in English and be between 4,000-7,000 words. Authors are requested to send a 300-word abstract of their proposed essay, along with a short biography (50-100 words) to the editor, Dr Jenny Butler at j.butler@ucc.ie and cc. to butler.Jennifer@gmail.com by November 10, 2014. The deadline for final essays accepted for inclusion is June 1, 2015.