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Few countries can boast as long and eventful a history and as rich and colorful
a folklore as Denmark. At no point in time were these two aspects as inseparable
as during the two hundred years or so following Denmark’s official conversion to
the Christian faith under King Harald “Bluetooth” Gormssn. The old gods and
other personifications of the natural elements were demonized by the church and,
as if in rebellion against the new religion, they became more and more present
in the minds of the people. This blend of the supernatural and the historic,
with no definable border between the two, was the foundation for many folk
ballads. The Folk Metal sextet SVARTSOT takes this essence to heart and
continues the long tradition, adding tales of beer, battles, and women to the
brew. Originally formed as a standard Metal five-piece in early 2005,
SVARTSOT’s intent was to merge thundering Metal with the more melodic Nordic
Folk, making use of growling vocals in their native tongue. This combination
proved so productive that SVARTSOT soon debuted at Copenhagen’s The Rock a few
months after the bands inception. However, the band felt that they were missing
certain Folk elements, and a line-up change ensued, including the addition of a
whistler m/bodhran player. Following a period of intense work in the rehearsal
room, SVARTSOT took the stage once again in late 2005, and almost
simultaneously, released the first of two demos (Svundne Tider) was recorded.
During the succeeding year, the band were again active, playing gigs with some
of the larger names of the Danish Metal scene, such as Volbeat, Illdisposed and
Mercenary. They also won first place in the Danish Metal Grand Prix 2006, a
national competition for underground Metal bands. SVARTSOT’s live performances
are noted for the band’s ability to set the perfect scene, utilizing props on
stage, such as Vikingstyled clothing and weapons, to underline the musical and
lyrical content. During the same year, the second demo (Tvende Ravne) was
recorded by Jacob Bredahl of Hatesphere at his studio, Smart n’ Hard. It was
also in this year that SVARTSOT tracks from both demos were featured on various
radio programs, including on a British BBC radio folk music program and on P3’s,
one of Denmark’s most popular radio stations. One track would also be included
on Terrorizer’s Fear Candy Unsigned Ed. 2006. In 2007, SVARTSOT underwent
another line-up change before signing to Austrian label Napalm Records. They
entered the studio once again to record their debut album, Ravnenes Saga, this
time with Jacob Hansen at the helm. Mastered at Tailormaid, Sweden, by Peter In
de Betou,
this album features powerful Metal riffs complete with guitar harmonies,
raucous choruses, and fast and furious folk melodies interspersed with acoustic
instrumentation.. The title means “Saga of the Ravens” and refers to Odin’s two
ravens, Hugin and Munin (Thought and Memory). These two ravens would fly out
over the world each day to return every evening to relate what they had seen.
The theme fits the collection of songs on the album, which tell tales of
courageous feats and battles, feasts, creatures of the murky realms of folklore,
and the art of womanizing. This is a pure Folk Metal album with an undying
Viking spirit.
INFO
FROM www.napalmrecords.com
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