Medieval Metal Songwriting Advice

Want to write medieval metal that slaps like a battle horn and stings like chainmail? You want riffs that feel ancient and choruses that stick like oaths carved into oak. You want lyrics that sound like a bard just had a cold brew and then went full Viking poet. This guide gives you the songwriting map. We cover scales and modes, riff craft, lyric research that is fun not boring, orchestration tips, production moves that make lutes sound monstrous, and stagecraft that sells the world you create.

Everything is written for hungry musicians who want usable workflows and real life examples. Expect exercises you can do in a coffee shop, a rehearsal room, or a moody attic. We explain every term and acronym so nothing reads like a secret code. Get ready to write songs that sound like they were forged in iron and tuned with a lute.

What Is Medieval Metal

Medieval metal blends heavy music with elements pulled from medieval and early folk traditions. That can mean modal melodies, period instruments like hurdy gurdy and lute, choral textures, and lyrics referencing history, myth, and mythlike scenes. It does not mean you have to dress like a Renaissance fair staple unless that is your vibe. The genre is broad. You can be atmospheric and orchestral, or raw and battle ready. The common thread is an aesthetic that leans into the distant past while using modern metal tools like distorted guitars and blast beats.

Related genres include folk metal, which emphasizes folk instruments and rhythms, and power metal, which emphasizes heroic choruses. But medieval metal specifically gravitates toward modes and melodic devices associated with old music. Modes are scales with specific interval shapes. We will explain the main ones you need to know and how they change the mood of a riff.

The Core Pillars of Medieval Metal Songwriting

• Modal melody that suggests old scales and melodies rather than modern major or minor only.
• Riff gravity with motifs that repeat and transform across the song.
• Historical lyric craft that uses concrete details and human moments rather than info dumps about dates.
• Instrumental palette that blends orchestral and period instruments with electric instruments.
• Arrangement drama that moves from intimate chant to full war chorus and back.

Modes You Must Know

Modes are scale families that predate modern major and minor systems. Each mode has a unique flavor. Below are the most useful for medieval metal with quick, practical ways to use them.

Dorian

Dorian is like natural minor but with a raised sixth. It feels ancient and slightly hopeful. Play power chords on the first and fifth steps and let a melody line move using the raised sixth for lift. Many medieval sounding melodies use Dorian because it feels plaintive but not defeated.

Phrygian

Phrygian has a flattened second. That creates a minor but exotic flavor. It is darker and more mysterious. Phrygian textures work great for slower, doom like sections or for riffs that need a foreign edge.

Mixolydian

Mixolydian is major with a flattened seventh. It sounds triumphant and medieval at once. It is excellent for chants and singalong choruses. Use it when you want the crowd to shout along while feeling like they are in a mead hall.

Ionian and Aeolian

Ionian is the major scale. Aeolian is natural minor. They are useful too. You can combine modes across sections to create color contrast. For example, verse in Phrygian and chorus in Mixolydian can read as dark tale meeting heroic response.

Practical tip: play a one chord vamp in a mode and hum melodies over it. Once you find a motif that grabs you, build a riff around the motif and repeat with variation.

Riff Craft That Feels Ancient and Modern

Riffs are the spine of metal. Medieval metal riffs should feel melodic even when they are heavy. Think of a riff as a short sentence. It should say something and then demand a reply.

Start with a motif

A motif is a small melodic idea. Play one on guitar or keyboard. Repeat it with small changes. Good motifs are three to six notes long. Record it on your phone. If you can whistle it later while doing dishes then it has promise.

Use open strings for drone effect

Medieval music often uses drones, where a note rings steadily under a melody. On guitar, use open low string or a sustained synth pad as the drone. This gives a sense of a bagpipe or hurdy gurdy without needing those instruments right away.

Combine tremolo picking with modal melody

Tremolo picking is when you pick a note rapidly. Use tremolo on a modal note to create urgency. Then bring in a melodic phrase that uses the mode to imply a melody that sits above the tremolo. The contrast between constant motion and a singing melody is cinematic.

Work the rhythm

Medieval music was rhythmic in ways that do not always align with modern rock. Try odd grouped phrasing like groups of five or seven in a phrase against a four count drum. Do not be afraid of simple repeated rhythmic cells either. Repetition builds ritual which matches the medieval vibe.

Chords and Harmony for Medieval Textures

Harmony in medieval metal is often more about drone and modal interplay than complex chordal movement. Still, chords matter in the chorus and bridges. Here are ideas you can steal.

• Pedal point. Hold a bass note under changing chords to create tension.
• Parallel fourths and fifths. Use parallel motion in fourths or fifths in a countermelody to create an old world texture. It can sound liturgical or martial.
• Modal chord coloring. Use chords that highlight the unique modal steps. For Dorian, emphasize chords that include the raised sixth. For Phrygian, bring out the second degree in bass or melody.

Real life example. You write a verse with a Dorian motif over a drone on D. Then the chorus moves to Mixolydian on G. The shift from minor mood to a brighter, idealized chorus feels like stepping from the cold outside into the home's hearth.

Melody and Vocal Approach

Vocals are where medieval metal can become iconic. Sing like a bard when you need intimacy. Then open the throat for an epic chorus. You do not always need screams. Clean, resonant chanting or semi operatic singing is a core part of the style. Harsh vocals are useful for contrast and for verses that tell bloody tales. Use them with intention.

Topline method for medieval melodies

1. Find the modal center by playing a one chord vamp in the chosen mode.
2. Hum freely on vowels until a melodic motif appears. Record it.
3. Turn the motif into a line that can be sung clean and also be shouted by a crowd.
4. Test the line in the band practice room at rehearsal volume. If it gets lost, simplify the interval leaps or push the melody into a register that cuts through.

Tip on diction. Consonants matter during fast rhythms. Use punchy consonants for staccato lines and vowels for long, liturgical phrases. The old world feel can come from phrasing that mimics spoken prosody found in chants.

Lyrics That Feel Like History Without Being a Textbook

Good medieval metal lyrics do more than list names and dates. They create scenes. They give sensory detail. Below are principles and exercises you can use to write lyrics that sound like they could survive the rainy season.

Rule one. Be specific

Use objects, weather, textures and small actions. Instead of writing about a battle write about the taste of iron in the mouth, the drummer who keeps time with a skull, or the torch that refuses to die. Specifics create credibility and imagery.

Rule two. Use time crumbs

Time crumbs are small clues that tell the listener when the scene is happening. A moon phase, a market bell, or a harvest scent. They anchor the story and make it cinematic.

Rule three. Choose your truth

You can be historically accurate or you can be anachronistic and intentionally playful. Both work. If you go accurate then do the research and get the details right. If you choose anachronism then pick an angle that is clearly stylized. For example you can write about texting a rune to a rival. The key is to own the choice.

Real life lyric process

Open a book on medieval life or a collection of myths. Read one paragraph. Pull one object that stands out. Write a verse around that object and one emotional reaction. Do not aim to summarize. Aim to bring one moment to life. Use the crime scene edit later to swap abstractions for sensory detail.

Language, Old Words and Runic Flavor

Sprinkling archaic words can add color but use them sparingly. If you use Old English or Old Norse terms make sure you know what they mean. Avoid putting a whole verse in a language only three people in the world understand unless your band can sing it with conviction and you want the mystery card. A better choice is to use an old word as a title and explain it in the lyric using modern language.

Example. Title your song "Wyrd" and in the verse put a line that explains it with an image like the river that remembers names. Suddenly the song feels rooted and accessible.

Folk Instruments and Orchestration

Adding period instruments is a major flavor move. But you do not need to own a hurdy gurdy. Many instruments can be sampled or approximated. Use real players when you can. The human touch is magnetic.

Common instruments and how to use them

• Hurdy gurdy adds a continuous drone and buzzing texture. Use it in intros or to support a chorus melody.
• Nyckelharpa gives a ghostly bowed tone. Use it for countermelodies.
• Bagpipe or small pipe can be simulated with synths. Use them for fanfare like choruses.
• Fiddle is versatile. It can be lyrical or scratchy and percussive.
• Recorder and flute give airflow that cuts through dense guitar layers.

Production note. When you mix folk instruments with distorted guitars you must carve space in the frequency spectrum. That means using EQ, panning, and sometimes volume automation so each instrument has its moment to be heard.

Production and Mixing That Keeps the Medieval Vibe

Production choices can either sell the ancient atmosphere or kill it. Here are concrete technical tips. If you do not know what an acronym means we explain it.

DAW

DAW stands for digital audio workstation. That is the software where you record, edit and mix music. Examples are Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools and Reaper. Pick one and learn the basics. You do not need every plugin. You need a few tools used well.

EQ and carving

EQ stands for equalizer. It shapes frequency content. When guitars clash with folk instruments, reduce competing frequencies on one instrument so the other can speak. For example scoop midrange from a synth pad so a recorder can shine. Use gentle cuts not surgical cuts for organic vibe.

Reverb and space

Reverb creates a sense of space. For choral or chant parts, use a large hall reverb to create the feeling of a cathedral. For intimate lute or voice sections use a small plate or room reverb. Avoid washing everything in the same reverb. Layer different reverbs for depth.

Layering orchestration

Layer strings, choir and synth pads to make a wall of medieval texture underneath your guitar. For a punchy chorus, compress the orchestration bus slightly so everything breathes together. Compression reduces dynamic range so sounds glue together. Keep drums somewhat more dynamic so attack remains crisp.

BPM and feel

BPM stands for beats per minute. Medieval metal songs can move slow and heavy or march at a chest beating tempo. A slow doom like section might live around 60 to 80 BPM. An epic war song might push 120 to 140 BPM. Choose BPM based on the mood. Do not force a tempo because others do it; pick what serves your story.

Arrangement and Dynamics

Arrangement is dramatic writing in sound. Your goal is emotional movement. Start small, get bigger, then return to smaller moments so the chorus feels earned.

• Intro. Open with an identifiable motif. That could be a chant, a single instrument, or a field recording like rain or church bells.
• Verse. Keep textures spare so words are heard. Use drone or low strings under the vocal.
• Pre chorus. Build tension through rhythm or harmonic change. Shorter phrases help accelerate the energy.
• Chorus. Make it wide and anthemic. Bring choir, doubled vocals and full rhythm.
• Bridge. Offer a new perspective or twist. This can be a spoken narrative or a choral breakdown.
• Final chorus. Add an extra layer or change a lyric line for payoff.

Collaboration With Folk Players and Choirs

Working with traditional musicians is rewarding and humbling. Here is how to make it smooth.

• Bring a demo that outlines tempo and key. Demos do not have to be perfect. They are reference points.
• Ask local folk groups or session players. Pay fairly. Respect is not optional.
• Allow room for interpretation. Traditional players will add ornaments you did not expect. Keep the takes that surprise you the most.
• If you record a choir, record in a suitable room. Choirs recorded in tiny rooms lose grandeur.

Live Performance and Stagecraft

Medieval metal is theatrical by nature. Stagecraft is part of the art. You do not need a budget the size of a small kingdom to create presence. Use lighting, simple props, and movement. A few practical tips follow.

• Contrast is everything. If you have a quiet chant section, drop lights to a single cold blue spotlight. When the chorus arrives, blast warm amber to simulate torchlight.
• Use visuals to anchor songs. Project a repeating motif or pattern that matches your song. Visuals can be simple loops of weather or wood grain.
• Props are cheap and effective. A single standard, a carved goblet, or a banner can become a character in your set.
• Choreograph crowd interaction. Teach a simple call and response or a shoutable line. Make the audience feel like part of the ritual.

Marketing and Finding Your Audience

Yes this is songwriting advice and not marketing 101 but if no one hears the songs then all that ritual goes unheard. Here are tactics that work for medieval metal artists today.

Content for streaming and social platforms

Short clips of your chorus with visuals of instruments or costumes perform well. Show behind the scenes of a hurdy gurdy player tuning or a vocal warm up. People love process and tangible artifacts. Use Reels or TikTok videos with subtitles because many viewers watch without sound.

Play niche festivals

There are folk and metal festivals that cater to these styles. Playing a few targeted shows builds the right kind of fan base. The audience at those festivals is already primed for your aesthetic.

Collaborate with influencers and historians

Pair with reenactors, LARP communities, or medieval history content creators. Authenticity matters and these communities can amplify your work if you engage respectfully.

Songwriting Exercises to Build Your Medieval Metal Muscle

Motif to Monument

1. Play a single modal motif for two minutes. Record it.
2. Write a three line chorus that uses the motif as its opening phrase.
3. Make a verse that answers the chorus by describing a small detail.
4. Repeat the motif with one change in the second chorus and record both versions. Pick the best one.

Object Drill

Pick an object from a medieval source like a candle stub, a broken buckle or a salted ham. Write a verse where the object is personified and in conflict with a human. Do this in ten minutes. The constraint breeds ferocious imagery.

Modal Switch

Write a four bar phrase in Phrygian. Repeat it but move to Mixolydian for the final phrase. Observe how emotion shifts. Use that shift as a chorus landing.

Common Mistakes and Easy Fixes

• Over decor. Less is more. If every section has a choir and a hurdy gurdy you lose contrast. Fix by reserving one or two signature textures for key moments.
• History by checklist. Listing medieval things reads like a museum plaque. Fix by telling human stories around one object.
• Bland chorus. If the chorus does not feel anthemic try moving it to a brighter mode, raise the melody slightly in range, and simplify the lyric to a single repeated line that the crowd can sing.
• Muddy mix. If folk instruments vanish in the mix carve frequencies and use sidechain compression tactically so the voice and drums remain clear.

Case Study Examples You Can Model

Example 1. The Single Motif Anthem

Start with a three note motif on a recorder. Build a driving distorted riff that mirrors the motif. Verse uses low register chant with drone. Chorus moves to Mixolydian and adds choir. Title is one old word that is repeated four times in the chorus. Result is ritual and singable.

Example 2. The Narrative Ballad

Acoustic intro with lute and voice. Verse uses detailed objects, a time crumb and an action. Mid song the band crashes in with a heavy riff that restates the verse melody in a thicker timbre. The bridge is a choral lament that resolves into a single supported final chorus. Result is cinematic and story forward.

Finish Songs Fast Without Losing Quality

Speed does not mean sloppy. Use these steps to push songs to demo fast.

1. Lock the chorus. If the chorus is not strong you do not have the song yet.
2. Map the form on one page with time stamps. Keep it concise.
3. Record a simple demo with click and rough instrumentation. Do not polish everything. Use it to test energy and arrangement.
4. Play it live in practice. If a line falls flat in rehearsal rewrite it. Live rehearsal reveals truth faster than solitary editing.
5. Seek feedback from two trusted listeners who love the genre. Ask one specific question like what image stuck with you. Then apply one change based on feedback.

Action Plan You Can Use Today

1. Pick a mode. Spend ten minutes playing in it and hum until a motif appears. Record the motif on your phone.
2. Write a one sentence chorus promise in plain language. Turn that into a short title.
3. Write verse one with one object and one time crumb. Restrict adjectives. Use verbs.
4. Create an arrangement map that reserves a folk instrument for chorus payoff. Keep the verse sparse.
5. Demo the idea quickly. Play it loud in rehearsal and tweak one thing that kills energy.

Medieval Metal Songwriting FAQ

What scales give a medieval feel

Modes like Dorian, Phrygian and Mixolydian often sound medieval. Dorian feels wistful with a raised sixth. Phrygian feels dark and exotic with a flattened second. Mixolydian is major with a flattened seventh and sounds triumphant. Use these modes as palettes not rules. Combine them across sections for dramatic contrast.

Do I need real folk instruments or are samples fine

Samples are a great start. Many modern libraries are realistic and affordable. Live players add nuance and human tiny timing differences that samples do not always give. If you can hire a player for an important part do it. If budget is limited use samples wisely and add human performance with subtle timing and velocity edits. Also consider recording a simple acoustic take with a friend to layer with samples for realism.

How do I keep medieval lyrics accessible to young listeners

Keep the chorus simple and modern in phrasing while letting the verses provide atmosphere. Use a single archaic word or phrase as a hook then translate or explain it with an image. The chorus should be singable and emotionally immediate. Verses can be more poetic and dense because listeners will return for the hook.

What tempo should medieval metal songs have

There is no single tempo. Choose based on mood. Ballads can live around 60 to 80 BPM. Marches and battle songs can sit around 100 to 140 BPM. Faster extreme sections can push higher. Pick what serves the story rather than copying. Use tempo changes and rubato for drama within the arrangement.

How do I arrange choir and heavy guitars without chaos

Use frequency carving and panning. Let the choir occupy mid and high frequencies with reverb. Keep guitars focused in the mid bass and use sidechain compression or transient shaping so drums and vocals remain clear. Also use dynamic contrast by removing guitars in some chorus passes and bringing them back for maximum impact.

Can I mix modern lyrical themes with medieval aesthetics

Yes. Anachronism can be a strength. Modern themes like loss, power or identity can be expressed with medieval imagery. The key is to make the metaphor live. If you write about lost love using a castle collapse image make sure the emotional truth connects to the modern listener. That tension between old imagery and current feeling creates a unique voice.

What tools help me craft authentic sounding medieval melodies

Use a mode aware scale plugin, a recorder for motif capture, and a DAW for layering. Plugins that emulate period instruments help with texture. Also use simple notation or tablature to preserve ideas. Most important is practice singing and playing modal melodies until they feel natural. Real musicianship beats plugin trickery every time.

How do I write a chorus that crowds will sing

Make it short and repeatable. Use strong vowels for sustain and consonants for punch. Place a single clear emotional claim in one or two lines. Teach the crowd the line through repetition and choose a melody that sits in the comfortable singing range for most people. Add call and response if you want more interaction.

How should I mix percussion to sound medieval yet modern

Blend traditional percussion like frame drum or tabor with modern drum kit. Keep the kick and snare punchy to drive the song. Use samples and layering to give traditional drums weight. Use transient shaping and parallel compression on the drum bus to give energy without smoothing natural attack. Let traditional percussion live slightly forward in the mix when you want ritual feel and pull it back for full metal impact.