Svartsot – Maledictus Eris (2011)
Rating: 10/10
Release: 29 July 2011
Label: Napalm Records
After a giant change in the line-up, in which only the bassist from the original military remained the Danes did with “Mulmets Viser” a second start and workem themselves just back to the top of the Viking contemporary music. Today I can already listen to the album “Male Dictus Eris”. Meaning of this title; “cursed shalt thou be” Lately many bands are engaged in so-called concept albums, albums with a clear theme.
Svartsot can not stay behind and the album is also about one theme, the plague epidemics the Middle Ages. Are you as curious as me? Vikings making music about the Middle Ages? Read it here. Or even better, buy the album as soon as it’s out.
As I have always pointed out in my reviews, I’m always in for a good intro, it puts me right in the mood of the music and it immediately gives a certain ambiance to an album. With ‘Staden’ the Danes bring me something I had not really expected but I definitely can appreciate, bagpipes and then …. A tavern? In any case, once inside, it all breaks loose and “Gud giv varer vid det!” Pops through my speakers, a fun opener, but not directly the best song I ever have heardby of these Vikings. You need to break through, because with “dødedansen”, I’m become instantly happy, so you know Svartsot again, a number that reminds me of “Jagten”, and that is never wrong. But make no mistake, it makes you think about it, but with Male Dictus Eris Svartsot definitely found a different sound than you can hear on Mulmets Viser. This will become quite clear in the following numbers, much less of the shrill whistle, it was replaced by a bagpipe and another flute, with a soft voice and a stringed instrument, I’m guessing a mandolin. The very low grunting, you will probably still remember from “Ravnenes Saga”, is gone with Claus. It was still sparsely present in Mulmets Viser, now almost gone, although, of course, the vocals in comparison with most other folk-metal bands are still very low. “Holdt just off Tjörn and” is definitely my favorite song on this great album, many bagpipe and an acoustic guitar, and it remains heavy. Absolutely great! A song that stands out is “Spigrene” because I had never expected to find it on a Svartsot album, an acoustic song with clean vocals. No violence, humming, roaring or bashing. No, this time they surprise us with a sensitive folk song. The next one is already the last song on this great album, “Og så landet beam ode them” 4:46 minutes long agile folk metal that fits perfectly in this album, which again bagpipes, which provide an extreme Medieval effect to this album without losing the characteristic Svartsot sound. And then it’s a real shame when the music withdrawals, I quickly press the replay button, and then I’ll write a final conclusion.
For Mulmets Viser I had my doubts, I did not know if the Danes would be able to rise from the dead, in that they succeeded, Svartsot was back with that album. And now, for Male Dictus Eris my expectations were high, and also difficult for Svartsot to meet. Do not ask me how, but the Danes succeeded with ease, only warriors can make an album like this, unadulterated Svartsot sound that makes them unique but slightly different. They managed to surprise me definitely in a positive way! Highly recommended for fans of Svartsot and that means almost every folk metal fan, especially after hearing this album!
Tracklist
- Staden… 0:48
- Gud Giv Det Varer Ved! 4:26
- Dødedansen 4:59
- Farsoten Kom 4:32
- Holdt Net Af En Tjørn 4:26
- Den Forgængelige Tro 4:46
- Om Jeg Lever Kveg 3:22
- Kunsten At Dø 5:04
- Den Nidske Gud 4:49
- Spigrene 4:13 MP3
- Og Landet Ligger Så Øde Hen 4:46