Vikings

The Vikings were so badass their entire lives were scored by metal centuries before the electric guitar was invented. And yeah, they get that reputation by doing things like grinding their Viking ancestors' bones into swords. Or inventing GPS-level compasses for their Viking seafaring. Yep: raid, rape, and pillage, that's what the Vikings did. Just like those filthy Iron Islanders George R.R. Martin would later write about in some sagas that never got finished. Except wait a minute: did you know that Vikings actually had more progressive rape laws than continental Europe? And that Vikings allowed women and possibly even gender non-conforming warriors in their ranks? Turns out Vikings were way more complex than black metal album covers, and black metal album covers are complex. Check the links below to learn more, preferably with a mug of good mead next to you: