As a one-off show to promote their upcoming album Mulmets Viser, and possibly just to come out and play again, one of Denmark’s top folk-metal bands Svartsot visited The Rock one cold Thursday evening in February.
Thursday as it was, The Rock was offering their usual 20 crowns bar, and this in combination with the happy and yet so brutal music made for a perfect combination in the quiet wintertime…

As there had been a support band this evening, called Huldre, people were already warmed up and ready for some action when it was time for Svartsot to take the stage, which it was shortly after the aforementioned support had left.
And in what a way they started out! First song Tvende Ravne filled the room with energy, and continuing on with Skovens Kælling led us further into the murky realms of the Danish primeval forest.
As this was partly a commercial, as it were, for their upcoming album, Svartsot also led us in the dance to some of their new songs, five in all. These were Højen På Glødende Pæle, Æthelred and Jagten, all of which they had also played for us last year at Templet; joining them as completely new were Lokkevisen and Havfruens Kvad, both showing that same old Svartsot nerve which we know and love.

The only thing I had feared would bring the evening down was the new singer Thor Bager, as he had been such a disappointment last time we saw them. I knew the rest of the band could hold the pagan flag high, and fight with true ferocity; this was something they had proven last time around, and they certainly didn’t disappoint this time around either. Especially their new bass-player, James Atkin, proved to be a real positive addition to the overall performance, and drummer Danni Lyse Jelsgaard showed a humoristic side with all his posing as he was given a beer halfway through the set.
But back to Bager. In my opinion, he still falls a bit short in vocal capabilities when compared to Claus B. Gnudtzmann (the singer on Svartsot’s debut album Ravnenes Saga), as he doesn’t seem to possess the same depth of the growls as his predecessor. Having said that, I also feel that Bager has improved by leaps and bounds since last time we saw him perform; his overall performance was much better, the band as a whole was more in sync, and most important of all, it would seem he had finally memorized the lyrics of the songs!

Well, no rule without an exception as they say; when it was time for the first encore of the night, Gravøllet, Bager said he had forgotten the lyrics of the song (though I have a sneaking suspicion this was planned) and asked for any and all who remembered them to join Svartsot on stage and singing along with them.
Ask and you shall receive they say; without more ado six young men jumped up to the stage, and were mighty glad to join their favourite band in this new and impressive audience sing-along style.

I've already mentioned that Svartsot was out playing to promote their upcoming album, but there was another thing which made this night very special as well; Svartsot were celebrating their 5th anniversary as a band!
In recognition of this, the band had come together and give a little gift for Christoffer J.S. Frederiksen (only remaining original member). Blushing, but still smiling, he opened it up, and very fittingly it contained a bottle (dare we guess mead was what was in it?) and a couple of glasses, in a stylish leather cover.

One might be afraid that Svartsot would have lost itself during the hard time of the colossal members change they have recently gone through, but as the main-man and composer Frederiksen still remain the active role, the new songs feel familiar and shall certainly not disappoint any of Svartsot’s old fans; just as this excellent gig certainly revived this reporters belief in their grandeur.

Setlist:

Tvende Ravne
Skovens Kælling
Nidvisen
Højen På Glødende Pæle
Spillemandens Dåse
Havets Plage
Lokkevisen
Drekar
Æthelred
Jagten
Skønne Møer
Havfruens Kvad
Gravøllet
Jotunheimsfærden