SVARTSOT

SVARTSOT continues carrying the torch for Danish folk metal with third album "Maledictus Eris", a fine example of the stouter end of the style. While the group still hasn't quite recaptured the magic of debut album "Ravnenes Saga" they have nevertheless crafted a rough 'n tumble brand of catchy folk metal.

Said stoutness is similar in some respect to that heard from FINNTROLL on its most recent material, although SVARTSOT's new album doesn't approach that level of compositional superiority. Deathly riff crunch and those craggy vocals combine with folk instrumentation and melody to fuel this mostly mid-tempo album. Often working in spaces where cadence defines the vibe just as much, if not more so, as melody, the tunes come with a lyrical theme that "recounts the tale of the Black Death's incursion into Danish history from 1349 to 1350", so you'll forgive any tendency for grimness over scintillation. A tune like "Farsoten kom" moves along triumphantly, as though the band is performing it on the march, leading an ever-lengthening line of revelers lending their voices in increasing louder support of the chorus. The acoustic picking interspersed throughout "Holdt ned af en Tjørn", as well as the addictive main melody, make it a charming piece as well.

It isn't until the acoustic, cleanly sung 10th track "Sprigrene" arrives that the listener gets a complete break from the crunching, death-imbued folk metal of the preceding cuts, brief intro "Staden…" notwithstanding. None of the preceding tracks could be defined as anything less than solid, but the break is still a welcome one since it contrasts nicely with material that can at times seem pensive That said, the folk instrumentation and main melody of closer "…Og Landet ligger så øde hen", though not a major departure from the meat of the disc, offers the kind of organic atmosphere and near-hypnotic cadence from which at least a couple tracks could have been benefitted.

Nitpicking aside, "Maledictus Eris" is further evidence of SVARTSOT's rightful place as one of folk metal's better bands. From one end to the other it is a soundly constructed disc. May SVARTSOT continue carrying that torch and waving that flag for many albums to come.