Now, Before I start I do want to say that if you like these bands, that's fine. These are the Mayor Nordic folk bands. I may do a seperate version featuring smaller/older bands (all of these are from the 1980s and later) or solo artists.
My explantions
S tier - Superior
Garmarna (1993 - present) : No explination. Their songs are bangers and I learnt more Swedish history than Wikipedia
Folk Och Rackare (1972 - 1986) : This band is a classic. same reason as Garmarna, but they are much relaxed with their songs. Also, Carin (The Girl Singer, who is now in her 70s) Started the band when she was a teenager, so she was a W teenager.
SKÁLD (2018 - present) : I'm trying to avoid Viking music (Not all Viking music, only the ones that don't exploit Nordic culture) But SKÁLD Don't do this. Also, Let's all pay respect for Justine Galmiche as she died from a sickness (she was amazing.)
A TIER - Really Great. Not superior tho
Triakel (2001- 2021) Triakel is great. However, They have claimed the work of a dead singer named Thyra Karlsson (Who died in 2002, and Triakel released the songs in 2014) as theirs. After this, they were forced to change their album's name to "Thyra"
Ranarim (1993 - 2011) - This band is awesome. They're chill. They disbanded in 2010 which is kinda of Sad. Their music gave off a very calm vibe. Also, Ulrika Bodén who’s one of the 4 horsemen of extremely good Female Scandinavian folk singers (along with Emma Härdelin, Helene Bøksle and Mari Boine)
Nuorat (2001) - WHY DID THEY DISCONTINUE LITTEARLY A MONTH AFTER THEIR FOUNDING THEY ARE TALENTED (They should have one Sámi Grand Prix)
Kalandra (2012 - present) they are great. Somehow Katrine (the lead singer) went from being a DJ to being a Viking folk singer. the band dosen’t exploit Nordic culture which is something that happens with Viking singers, but
B TIER : good. not great
Hedningarna (1983- 2017) - Inga will kill me for this since she loves Hedningarna, but some of their newer songs are bad. Like what was their 5th album. Anyways, They do have sone great older songs. also I appreciate the Sámi representation.
Breda Gatan (2019 - present) EMMA HÄRDELIN- Anyways. This band isn’t as great as Garmarna or Triakel which both feature her. Their debut album was mid, their new EP was also mid, they did had a song that I really liked.
Borhaug sisters (1990 - 1998) Not really a band, but they are talented. The Borhaug sisters are also one of the few Norwegian-American folk singers, and they are actually really great. I like their rendition of folk songs. too bad they separated. (Marianne makes Nordic kids music, but nobody knows what happened to Heidi
C tier - Mid.
Värttinä (1989 - 2006) They have a few songs I really like. Their newest album is really good, and so was the last one. they appeared in the Lord of The Rings soundtrack for some reason. They’re still popular since their seperation. But some people were concerned about them since they’re one of the very few All-Female Nordic folk bands, and one of their songs which had some uhh.. Not family-friendly lyrics. Has appeared on a PBS kids show
Sågskära (1992 - 2000)
The reason why this band got shut down early was because of reported negative incidents surrounding a Neurodivergent band member and the band manager (none of the members were involved). They do have some good songs tho.
Åkervinda (2014 - present)
Something about their music makes me skeptical.
Their songs sound familiar.
D TIER - Bad, but not horrible
Jaerv (2009 - present)
Jaerv actually has a lot of great songs (Especially their older songs) and they recently did a charity event with another folk band to help Nordic heritage centers in America (because as Inga said, this was a pretty bad year for them, and most of the members of Jaerv are Swedish-Americans living in Sweden) However, This band’s musical quality has fell down. Their newer songs don’t even sound like their older songs, and plus most of their songs are instrumentals. Still, I love their older songs
Wardruna (2007 - present)
I actually did use to like Wardruna. However, Their fanbase is really terrible. Their fanbase isn’t educated on Viking history properly, and as a Nordic history nerd it is triggering (This is why I am Interested in 19th century Scandinavian history) Most of their songs aren’t good either, I just like the songs from Kvit Hjort.
Okra Playground (2016 - present)
Okra Playground isn’t even that good. their songs aren’t that well. They feel off. Same reason as Åkervinda
F - the absolute worse of the worse
Hoven Droven (1999 - 2023)
Seeing Hoven Droven getting disbanded is amazing. Why? well, They forced Emma Härdelin to change her religion (one member did defend Emma so, W Erik) They also had controversy involving Ellen Sundberg, who was a Swedish-American singer since she was a former member but left due to the controversy.
Islandica (1981 - 2002)
Truly one of the most terrible bands ever…. They literally take Icelandic folk songs and change the title to make it seem unique. Their rendition of some folk songs are really good, it’s just it’s sketchy. They also lied about the Icelandic government promoting their songs.
