They must have been different harps and flutes than I am familiar with; I can't imagine hearing a harp above the din of battle.

Was just reading John Warry's Warfare in the Classical World, and ran across the Greek Salpinx (trumpet). It's interesting that a couple of Greek wind instruments seem to have been strapped to the musician's face (see attached). There's also a flute, but it doesn't appear to be used in a military context in the image.

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Gavin; God bless the interwebs. But indeed, perhaps it does deserve a split... ;)

And Nathan: That was some pretty hardcore stuff... Like vikings who are on fire hardcore stuff... :eek:

Gavin, I always had a thought that perhaps the instruments are not strapped to their faces, but rather that the 'straps' act in such a way as to force the lips or cheeks into a particular shape/tension so that they can play them to begin with :lol:

I'm surprised how many people like classical! I knew I should of put it in! What's the tune/song in 'Excalibur'(80's one) when the knights are riding down an orchard-y road-y blossom-y thingo? :\

In Excalibur was Carmina Burana, O Fortuna.

Dream evil's song chosen ones


:cool:

I'll second Korpiklaani! Another good one along those veins would be Ensiferum (means "sword bearing"). That and Fintroll. Nothing mixes quite like metal and heroic folk music.

There's some pretty good musical tastes on here, I'm liking the VNV Nation mention also the Flogging Molly. However if it's battle you want you can't beat Battle Metal and One More both by Turisas,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKmL-LXcaK4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ift85e38H3M

and a special mention for CombiChrist's Kickstart the Fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ksaMLMNi_I&feature=related

I'm going to side with the pipes here. In part because my Dad played in a pipe band, the Portland Scottish, when I
was a kid so marching to the pipes seems a natural. But also because of a Civil War battle re-enactment I happened
across 14 years ago. There were maybe sixty people to each side volleying, some of which were a little ragged but
many were tight and ripping, these accompanied by four cannon whose booming reports were felt as much as heard.
Against this maelstrom six pipers played a group doing an impression of the 69th New York onto the field. I can't
describe the sensation that welled up hearing their music. Fierce, electric? It was really something to experience.


Best,

Doug

I choose warrior folk songs like this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLU-XvBkt-E

This one is from Vilkaci - Latvian "Medieval folklore and fight re-enactment group."
And the song discription from themselves: "The song is about an old leader who sings about his regret for sending boys, who are too young to fight, off into battle."

Bagpipes or drums please. With the drums, the larger the better.

I'm going to side with those who brought up Turisas and Ensiferum, but I'm also going to throw in some Eluveitie and possibly some Amon Amarth. Honestly I'm impressed by the amount of Pagan Metal that's been brought up in this thread, it's good to see I'm not the only one out there who listens to the stuff.

I'm fighting 30 opponents tomorrow, in honor of our order's 30th anniversary.

I've been listening to the 'El Cid' soundtrack for inspiration, particularly track 4, which is the tournament preparation sequence.

Best,

CHT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOmMZBZGBps&feature=related
This made me want to fight insurmountable odds! :lol:
So do you think listening to any of your given music helps you perform better?
I.e. With more accuracy and vigour, tiring less etc...
Why I wonder?
For me, personally it makes me work harder (like substantially) and perform, even when just training, better and retain more infomation.
Mostly 'cause it makes me feel ancient and epic :D

I have this recurring dream of marching in a shieldwall slowly across the battlefield to meet the enemy, drawing them slowly closer and closer, shifting their lines ever so slightly to the right.

The battlefield is mostly quiet. You can hear the heavy footsteps, the jingle of mail, the occasional curse as a countryman takes an arrow in his shield. Knight's shouted orders are muffled through your helm and arming cap.

Ten yards separate the lines now, everyone is tense.

The silence is abruptly shattered by the wail of bagpipes and the bang of drums! Out of the tree line your flanking forces come screaming upon enemy, too late they have realized the subtle shift exposing their flank.

The battle is brutally short. :)

A friend on this forum, Hanns Wiechman, gave me a CD by Rondellus (A Medieval Tribute To Black Sabbath) that is totally awesome. What's better than a combination of medieval chanting and metal lyrics? :)

Pipes and drums. One of my personal favorites is Highland Cathedral.

Also, Hoist the Colors, from Pirates of the Carribean: At Worlds end. Actually, a lot of music from those movies is like that.

Hoist the Colors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuKx7AgHLes

What's Left Of The Flag (Flogging Molly)
Mountains & Defender (Manowar)
Dig Up Her Bones (Misfits)
Search & Destroy (Stooges)
Paint It Black (Rolling Stones)

Would certainly have to go along with O Fortuna also.

Ahhhh, how different history might be if warriors of old had MP3 players under their chain mail........

Hmmm...

Bagpipes are an obvious one, for my Scots side.... I think the Wicked TInkers would make a great bunch of martial musicians for my clan.... personally, the Tannahill Weavers' version of "Johnny Cope" gets my blood moving....

The classics are great too, Wagner and "Carmina Burana" have been mentioned, and how about Holst's "Mars" from "The Planets"?

(Blues? Don't get me wrong, I love the blues, but can you imagine going into a medieval-style battle with "Sweet Home Chicago" or "The Sky is Crying" or 'Boogie Chillun" playing in the background?)

I'm not a big fan of metal, but I recently discovered a group called Alestorm. Pirate Metal. Yes, that's right, Pirate Metal. With nautical and piratical references strewn throughout (think "Treasure Island" and "Pirates of the Carribean", not historical, or modern pirates). Ah yes, metal music with traditional instruments and lyrics that sound like they were written by Robert Louis Stevenson. It's great fun -- And it works!