Oriental Metal

Oriental metal is a fusion genre that blends traditional heavy metal with elements of Middle Eastern, North African, or East Asian music. Emerging in the late 1990s and gaining popularity in the 2000s, it features a unique combination of distorted guitars and thunderous drums alongside traditional instruments like erhu, morin khuur, or oud. Vocalists often alternate between guttural metal growls and traditional singing styles, sometimes incorporating throat singing. The genre's rhythms are complex, often incorporating folk time signatures and tribal percussion. Lyrically, oriental metal frequently explores cultural mythology, history, and spirituality. It shares similarities with folk metal but is distinguished by its focus on non-European cultural elements. The genre has helped bring attention to traditional music from various regions while offering metal fans a fresh, culturally rich sound. Its impact extends beyond music, sometimes sparking interest in the cultures it draws from and challenging stereotypes about both metal and traditional music.

Latest Oriental Metal Release
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Real Dream
Single - Released August 21, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Orphaned Land
Tengger Cavalry
Sabhankra
Nine Treasures
CHTHONIC
Pitch Black Process
Top Playlists
NiNi's Asian Folk Metal Picks 6 Oriental Metal artists
FOLK METAL 🪓 Celtic & Pagan Metal 2 Oriental Metal artists
Folk metal 2 Oriental Metal artists
The Sound of Turkish Death Metal 1 Oriental Metal artist

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  1. August 21, 2025
  2. July 22
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  17. December 31, 2024
  18. August 16
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  20. December 20, 2023
  21. December 10
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  30. September 1
  31. July 19
  32. June 23
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  37. February 8
  38. February 1
  39. January 27
  40. September 23, 2022