Year : 2015
Style : Folk Metal
Country : Denmark
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video
Size : 116 mb
Info:
Svartsot is a Danish folk metal band formed in 2005 in Randers.On December 17, 2008, Michael Lundquist Andersen, Niels Thøgersen, Claus B. Gnudtzmann and Martin Kielland-Brandt announced they had left the band because of different opinions on how to run a band and how the music should sound. The band's whistler, Stewart Lewis, is currently on a hiatus due to the continuing state of his wife’s ill health.On February 22, 2009, Svartsot had announced their new band lineup is complete.Stewart Lewis was replaced for live shows, but was still considered a member of the band for some time.In 2010, the band released a new album, Mulmets Viser, through Napalm Records. Despite Cristoffer J.S. Frederiksen being the only remaining member of the previous lineup, his position as the band's guitarist, composer and lyricist ensured that the band retained its musical identity. Mulmets Viser garnered a fairly positive critical response, although several critics pointed out that the band's strict adherence to their particular formula resulted in the album gradually losing listeners' attention as it progressed.
Album:
Svartsot play a fairly upbeat brand of extreme folk metal not entirely unlike Ensiferum or Equilibrium. The mood leans towards the jovial with plenty of melody and sing-alongs. The main difference lies in the vocals, which are death metal not unlike those of Dethklok’s Nathan Explosion. This paired with the group’s more subdued leanings away from neoclassical shredding give Svartost a fairly trademark sound that I particularly enjoyed on their debut, Ravenes Saga.Vældet continues with much the same territory as previous releases. However, I believe that the group has matured in several areas. For one, the guitar work has taken a step forward away from simple melodies to applying increased picking and a few hooks. Paired with this improvement is that the flute no longer simply mimics what the guitar is doing as on previous releases. I have always enjoyed their use of flute, but this redundancy always plagued my overall impression. There are also some very well-implemented additions of acoustic guitar, banjo, and other folk instruments that round out the sound and help the album stand out from the previous discography.Aside from the improved songwriting, I dare say the album is pretty fun too. The obvious mention is the single, “Kilden - I Marker og i Lunde.” This bouncy tune is filled with energy and sing-alongs, as well as one of the best layering of acoustic guitar into a heavy song I have heard. But some of the deeper cuts are plenty enjoyable as well. Even the instrumental sections stood out and managed to keep me interested.Unfortunately, Vældet has its share of issues as well. For one, there is an overwhelming one-dimensional quality to the production that lacks the organics I crave in a folk album. The performances feel over-rehearsed and I am very aware that I am listening to a recording. These songs will probably be beer-swilling anthems live, but I should never be picturing Vikings in a recording studio when spinning a record. The other issue is related, but directed specifically at the vocals. While the style is part of what helps Svartsot stand out, there is very little presence to be found in these growls. If a cartoon character can make me laugh, scowl, and throw up the metal claw all in one song, so should a guy named “Thor Bager.”Final word: enjoyable, but lacks substance. This album is a step above Ensiferum’s One Man Army as far as consistency and songwriting are concerned, but it loses hands-down when it comes to energy and conviction. Still, it is great to see the band maturing and I am confident that many a beer-bellied metal head will find something worth their hard-earned money here.
Line-Up:
Thor Bager - Vocals (2009-present) - See also: Disintegrated
Cris Frederiksen - Guitars (lead) (2005-present)
Hans-Jørgen Martinus Hansen - Flutes, Whistles, Mandolin, Accordion, Swedish bagpipes, Vocals (backing) (2008-present)
James Atkin - Bass (2009-present) - See also: ex-Feverfew
Michael Alm - Guitars (rhythm) (2012-present) - See also: ex-Fairytale Abuse, ex-Delirium Tremens, ex-Edenbeast (live), ex-Aperient
Frederik Uglebjerg - Drums (2012-present)
Tracklist:
01. Midsommer 04:53
02. Urtekonen 05:15
03. Kilden - I Marker og i Lunde 05:33
04. Allerkæresten min 05:58
05. Moder Hyld 06:24
06. Markedstid 06:26
07. I Mørkets Skær 04:40
08. Ved Vældets Vande 06:34
+ Video "Kilden - I Marker og i Lunde" (Official Lyric Video)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
