Exploring the Potential Viking Reception of Viking Metal

It is intriguing to speculate how Vikings, the fierce and adventurous Norse warriors, would react to modern Viking metal music. Would they find it appealing, or would they reject it as an unfamiliar and bewildering sound? To answer this question, we need to delve into historical records and contextualize the sounds and music productions of that period.

Understanding Viking Music

The historical records from the Viking era provide us with limited insights into the types of music and musical instruments they used. The Scanian Law of the late 13th century, one of the earliest written laws from the Nordic countries, likely contains the earliest known piece of burnt music, suggesting the existence of written music traditions in the region. From modern-day interpretations of the "Drmde mik en drm i nat um silki ok rlik pl," it is evident that music from this era was different from contemporary Viking metal.

According to scholar Ibrahim Ibn Ahmad Al-Tartushi, who lived around 950 AD, the music of the Vikings in Slesvig was particularly harsh and grating. His observation suggests that the Vikings' music may have had a harsh, guttural sound, which could have been a feature of their music.

Historical Depictions of Viking Music

Other historical records shed light on the types of music Vikings might have encountered. For example, the 12th-century historian Saxo Grammaticus provides two contrasting descriptions of music for King Erik Ejegod. In one instance, the music evoked grief and numbness, suggesting a somber and melancholic tone. In the second, the music was lively and conducive to jesting and dancing, indicating a more celebratory and joyful character.

These accounts suggest that Viking music could have been highly diverse and adaptable, serving different purposes from the celebratory to the mood-altering. The harsh and aggressive sounds described by Al-Tartushi might have been used for rituals, battles, or other symbolic purposes.

Guestimating the Viking Reception of Viking Metal

Given the limited historical context and the stark differences between modern Viking metal and the music from the Viking era, it is plausible that Vikings might react to Viking metal with a mix of curiosity and bewilderment. The aggressive and complex sounds of Viking metal could be interpreted as an extension of the harsh and guttural nature of their music, suggesting a connection to their cultural heritage.

However, the thematic and lyrical content of Viking metal, often rooted in Norse mythology and history, may be more comprehensible and appealing to the modern-day Viking metal devotees. The cultural context, shared myths, and thematic elements might create a resonance, even among those unfamiliar with the historical settings.

Conclusion

While we can only speculate, the combination of historical records and modern interpretations suggests that Vikings might find Viking metal interesting but not necessarily appealing on the same level as their own music. The unique blend of historical accuracy and modern musical innovation in Viking metal might make it a fascinating and potentially relevant genre to them, albeit primarily as a modern artistic interpretation of their historical context.

Understanding and appreciating Viking metal as a modern homage to Viking culture can offer valuable insights into both the historical and contemporary attitudes towards this fascinating period in history.