Svartsot – Mulmets Viser

Releasedate: 26-03-2010; Label: Napalm Records
By: Elvira Visser

Tempelores has seen Danish Svartsot on the Aaskereia Tour back in 2008, since than much have happend to this band. Gitarist Cris Frederiksen is the only one left from that line up that still plays in the band these days. With the other line up they released “Ravnenes Saga”, their debut album. Now they released “Mulmets Viser” which means Songs of the Darkness. Cris has found new bandmember in Cliff Nemanim(guitar), Danni Lyse Jelsgaard(drums), James Atkin(bass), Thor Bager (vocals) and Hans-Jorgen Martinus Hansen (whistles, accordion and mandolin).

Svartsot delivers with “Mulmets Viser” as they say: “skull-crushing, aggressive death metal permeated with sweeping Nordic folk melodies.” To bring across these melodies they have created folkloric passages with the use of folk instruments besides their so know flute, which you can hear in almost every track. Besided the folky influences and guitar lines the band’s sound leans towards death metal, but with a lot of melody. Think of Amon Amarth and Finntroll. The voice of new singer Thor Bager is perfect for the deep growls. Their former singer would use clean vocals as well which is a change in the bands sound. The lyrics are sung in Danish and that is maybe the only thing that sets this band apart from these folk metal bands, however they do deliver a steady album. The tracks are well-conceived and well-performed. Tracks that have the catchy-ness factor but it stays metal.

“Havfruens Kvad” is one of my favorite tracks on this album, it is quite catchy. “Paa Odden Af Hans Hedenske Svaerd” has a very nice intro with a great guitar and bass line. The accordion gives the track maybe a little Korppiklaani feel but the growls are making it less hummpa, in this way it stays more metal. The Mandoline in all its glory can be heard in “Kromandes Datter”. “Hojen Pa Gloedende Paele” and “Jagten” are the most powerful tracks of this album. “I Salens Varme Gloed” which is a bonus track is a great one, it has the power, the catchy-ness and the flute all together.

Tracklist: 01. Aethelred 02. Lokkevisen 03. Havfruens Kvad 04. Hojen Pa Gloedende Paele 05. Paa Odden Af Hans Hedenske Svaerd 06. Laster Og Tarv 07. Den Svarte Sot 08. Kromandes Datter 09. Grendel 10. Jagten 11. Lindisfarne

Links:
Svartsot MySpace