At the Crossroads of Nordic Traditions and Languages: The Representation of the Swedish-Speaking Finn Community in Finnish Heavy Metal

Abstract

The two concepts of metal music and identity are often linked to each other, from the bands' and their audience's perspectives as well as in the academic field of metal studies (von Helden, 2017; Kärki, 2015; Moberg, 2009a; Mustamo, 2016). One significant example of the interaction between metal and identity can be found in the Nordic scene. North-related themes and Nordic languages are used by metal bands in their music, visual representations, or narratives as components of their identity. Despite the increasing number of studies about Nordic metal scene and identity, the case of Nordic minorities seems to remain in the shade of major Nordic cultures. Willing to draw the attention on this shortcoming, this chapter will study the case of Finland's Swedish-speaking population. After a presentation of the groups analysed, the paper examines how the culture and language of Swedish-speaking Finns is represented through their works. This textual analysis will further discuss the particularity of being situated at the crossroads of Scandinavian and Finnish cultures and languages.

Citation

Vigier, L. (2020), "At the Crossroads of Nordic Traditions and Languages: The Representation of the Swedish-Speaking Finn Community in Finnish Heavy Metal", Valijärvi, R.-L., Doesburg, C. and Digioia, A. (Ed.) Multilingual Metal Music: Sociocultural, Linguistic and Literary Perspectives on Heavy Metal Lyrics (Emerald Studies in Metal Music and Culture), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 79-93. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83909-948-920200009