“ The Islander” tells the mystical story of an old man living on a tiny island, and of his final voyage off the edge of the world. During that time, he writes letters to his lover, who he is forced to leave behind when he is taken away to be locked up. “Over the Hills and Far Away” tells the story of a man wrongly accused of robbery, who is sentenced to ten years in prison. Like the majority of Within Temptation’s songs, Nightwish tends to write and perform songs that tell a story. Although this group has been classified as a symphonic metal band, the use of Celtic flutes, harp, tempos and melodies in songs such as, “ Over the Hills and Far Away” (a cover of the original song by Celtic folk-rock musician Gary Moore), “ Moondance” and “ The Last of the Wilds” clearly point to the band’s love of Celtic folk music. Some of Within Temptation’s most popular songs include “Ice Queen,” “Shot in the Dark,” “Jillian (I’d Give My Heart)” and “Sinéad.” The title of “Sinéad” comes from the Irish feminine name, which is the Celtic equivalent of the English name Janet.Īnother iconic European folk-rock band with notable Celtic influences is Nightwish. In fact, their 2011 studio work, “The Unforgiving,” was a concept album intended to tell an intricate story, and was accompanied by short films and comic books that helped tell the parts of the story left out of the songs.Īlthough Within Temptation has been called a symphonic-metal band and even a gothic-rock band, many of their songs contain elements of folk music. Temptation’s songs are known for telling stories. Started in 1995, the ensemble originally had only two members-guitarist Robert Westerholt and vocalist Sharon den Adel. One example is the Dutch symphonic folk-rock group Within Temptation. While Blackmore’s Night is based out of Great Britain at the heart of Celtic culture, there are many folk-rock groups in other parts of Europe that draw on Celtic music for inspiration.
Although there are plenty of people who have not discovered European folk rock music, the popularity of some Celtic folk-rock groups across Europe and the United States is a testament to the relevance of this new style. Richie Blackmore and Candace Night of Blackmore’s Night (Image via Fanpop)Īs of 2017, there are many successful European rock bands producing Celtic-influenced songs and albums Blackmore’s Night, Leaves’ Eyes, Enter the Haggis and Within Temptation are just a few examples. Using traditional Celtic instruments such as the harp, flute, tin whistle and the fiddle alongside rock instruments such as guitar, bass and steel drums, Celtic bands and singers such as Donovan, Thin Lizzy and Horslips created a sort of “fusion” of traditional Celtic folk music and classic rock and roll in the 1970s. Celtic rock, or European rock (to use a broader and more inclusive term), came about when bands in Ireland, England and Scotland decided to combine traditional Celtic folk music with elements of the new rock and roll genre.
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