Viking Music and Issues of Genre - An Ethnomusicologist's Perspective 

You raise some very interesting points! I haven't seen these discussed before. My comments on your points: 1) "Genre names are abstract" That is a valid point and in general, I agree with you. But for this specific topic, it does not convice me. Unlike the other genres you mention, the term "Viking Music" already had an obvious meaning: The music of the Vikings. This is similar to what has happened with the term "mediaval music". Here in Germany and other Central European countries, it has lost its meaning of "Music from the Mediaval Ages". You mention "mediaval markets" yourself in the video. These markets and the connected music scene have very little to do with actual mediaval music or culture. It is Fantasy (before someone comments on this: Yes, I am aware that there are some people that do try to portrait the mediaval times as authentically as possible. But these reenactors are the minority - and this demand for authenticity almost always ends at the music stages). I don't want to say these markets or this music is bad - quite the opposite. I very much like them and listening to this type of music. However, they have become so popular that the average person thinks that this is how the mediaval times were and how mediaval music sounded. Which, I think, is a pity. Because actual historic mediaval music is different. And extremely beautiful. But since the term "mediaval music" was "occupied" by this scene, people don't even realize that what they know is not historical and that there is something else. Most people here actually think all kinds of folk music are mediaval music. Because these markets are the only place were they come in contact with folk music. The same is happening with viking music - although this argument is of course much weaker, because there is so little knowledge about actual viking music compared to mediaval music. But still, I think that is a bummer and a loss. 2) "Musicians usually don't get to define the genre name" True. I also think the threshold has been crossed here long ago. It's in the hands of the listeners now, not of the musicians. But I do think that the musicians in this scene have played a vital role in this happening. Sure, many do say in interviews that their music is not actually historical correct/informed if they are asked for it. But what does saying that even mean if you constantly behave contrary to your statements and "flirt" with the image of being "viking"? For example, by performing with anachronistic instruments, techniques and style at Viking museums? (although the question can also be asked why these museums book these acts - answer is of course obvious: because they draw crowds ;) ) Or agree to be featured in TV shows, videogames etc. that clearly want to give the impression that they are about the vikings? Or by copying the visual language and style of the TV show "Vikings"? Or by outright describing your music as being from the "viking period": "Heilung is sounds from the northern european iron age and viking period" (taken straight from the officialdescription of the album "Ofnir" on their Bandcamp page - similar things can be found in other Heilung presstexts). Seeing all of this, I personally am a bit tired of the argument "the musicians never wanted this term and have not claimed it for themselves". The term "viking music" for this style did not appear out of a vacuum. It arose because of the actions of the bands that formed this style. They - very obviously - do want this term. Now, is this bad? Or does this mean that the musicians are bad people or that the music is bad? No. Absolutely not. Or at least depends on your intentions. Still, it is a bit sad, I think, that the term "viking music" has been overtaken by something else. And to me, that is at least disingenuous. 3) "Finding another name" I personally don't agree that genre names have to be exciting, because most genre names are boring. But as I already said, I do think that it's too late to change the term. From that perspective, it makes sense to just keep using "Viking music". Because people know what you mean. Just like with the term "Mediaval music" here in Germany. To be honest, I'm not sure how negative all of this really is - and discussing the potential effects of this is a whole other topic. But I do think it is a bit sad that it changes the perception of history for the general public. But this has happened before and will happen again and again. It's also happening with the term "Pirate Music". I thought the discussion of Matthias Nordvigs perspective at the end was very interesting. I have not encountered this argument before, but it makes a lot of sense to me. Hope you'll dig deeper into this at some point, I would love to hear more of your thoughts on it!

You find the words, my friend!

Interesting! We struggle with this with some of our releases. We grudgingly use some of the terminology but whenever we discuss our music on social media we try to make the point that we're not historical re-enactors, we make modern music that has some medieval and pre-medieval influences and roots. Which is, indeed, what Einar Selvik and others say too. It's pretty much what Farya Faraji says too. He says he loves the music but his issue is with a section of the fans (rather than musicians) who think they're seeing history. Your take on the use of Viking Music as a genre name is interesting. We will think upon it!

The term “Viking music” has made me cringe from the start. Honestly though, you make some solid points here. You’ve changed my mind about the genre name. Like you said, I think the way the Viking age has been framed has a lot to do with how we feel about the term “Viking music”. So ultimately, is it the name of the genre that we cringe at or is it how the Viking age has been perceived in modern culture?

Thank you for watching - don't forget to click the *like* button if you want to help the channel grow and reach more people. With that business out of the way... I would love to hear what from this video resonated with you and what you'd like to talk more about. I was only able to scratch the surface on some beefy topics introduced here.

To me the real issue is the fact that the vast majority of people living during the "Viking Age" weren't vikings... they were farmers, fishermen, traders, craftsmen, merchants, etc., and I suspect the musicians of that time mostly came from those members of the society. Necessarily equating using the runes, chanting the Voluspa, practicing Norse shamanism, or creating music inspired by ancient Nordic cultures with the vikings per se seems odd.

I always thought of this music as nordic tribal folk music but I guess many musical artists in the genre are not Nordic or playing nordic style so...

(Insert standing slow clap here)