Svartsot - Mulmets Viser
Svartsot are a Denmark metal band that perform celtic metal mixed with death metal influences. They've got everything... the flutes, mandolin, whistles, guitars, drums... all they're missing is bagpipes. So, what can fans expect from their latest offering, Mulmets Viser? An extremely catchy album that should be performed at every tavern. The key to describe Svarsot's music is ENERGY. These guys play hard, but they don't play hard for the sake of playing hard. Within each track is a melody that is enough to get anyone to the floor and just start moving.
"Æthelred" opens with some acoustic guitar work before switching over to the harsher riffs and letting the flutes take over. This is certainly a great track to start off with because there's a blend of not only melodic death metal but also other cultural influences too to add some dynamics and make Svartsot sound a bit better than the average folk/ melodic death album. The vocals are strictly set to a growl similar to Amon Amarth, but they don't ruin the music. It's still a track to do a jig to. Not all the tracks on the album are dancy though, even though they always feature the flutes. Most of the album's pace is set on 'death metal.' "Havfruens Kvæd" is more meant for headbanging as the intensity has been upped a bit. "På Odden af hans hedenske Sværd" is strictly melodic death metal, forsaking all the cultural instruments for just the guitars, drums and vocals to do the assaulting. "Grendel" is intense, but offers some accordion melodies that go nicely with the music. "Jagten" has some great flute work, but it is still mostly a mid paced death metal song more than something to dance to in a bar. "Laster og Tarv" is a great foot stomper and is the closest bar jig track to the first one. "I Salens varme Glød" is a crusher that is certainly a great viking war song; the energy coming from the guitars is just like tidal waves.
While Svartsot may sound like an Amon Amarth clone with Mulmets Viser, they still do a great job at trying to add as much celtic influence as possible to their music. The flutes are the obvious highlight of the album and combined with the melodic death metal vibes, an excellent blend of heavy and cultural. Fans of Finntroll or Eluvetie, as well as Amon Amarth of course, will enjoy this. While it is a little more cookie cutter than fans would have probably liked due to the death metal vocals, Svartsot still can deliver one hell of a performance. Any tavern or stadium would be glad to have them since they know to make people feel the energy that is folk/ viking metal.
"Æthelred" opens with some acoustic guitar work before switching over to the harsher riffs and letting the flutes take over. This is certainly a great track to start off with because there's a blend of not only melodic death metal but also other cultural influences too to add some dynamics and make Svartsot sound a bit better than the average folk/ melodic death album. The vocals are strictly set to a growl similar to Amon Amarth, but they don't ruin the music. It's still a track to do a jig to. Not all the tracks on the album are dancy though, even though they always feature the flutes. Most of the album's pace is set on 'death metal.' "Havfruens Kvæd" is more meant for headbanging as the intensity has been upped a bit. "På Odden af hans hedenske Sværd" is strictly melodic death metal, forsaking all the cultural instruments for just the guitars, drums and vocals to do the assaulting. "Grendel" is intense, but offers some accordion melodies that go nicely with the music. "Jagten" has some great flute work, but it is still mostly a mid paced death metal song more than something to dance to in a bar. "Laster og Tarv" is a great foot stomper and is the closest bar jig track to the first one. "I Salens varme Glød" is a crusher that is certainly a great viking war song; the energy coming from the guitars is just like tidal waves.
While Svartsot may sound like an Amon Amarth clone with Mulmets Viser, they still do a great job at trying to add as much celtic influence as possible to their music. The flutes are the obvious highlight of the album and combined with the melodic death metal vibes, an excellent blend of heavy and cultural. Fans of Finntroll or Eluvetie, as well as Amon Amarth of course, will enjoy this. While it is a little more cookie cutter than fans would have probably liked due to the death metal vocals, Svartsot still can deliver one hell of a performance. Any tavern or stadium would be glad to have them since they know to make people feel the energy that is folk/ viking metal.
- Æthelred
- Lokkevisen
- Havfruens Kvæd
- Højen på glødende Pæle
- På Odden af hans hedenske Sværd
- Laster og Tarv
- Den svarte Sot
- Kromandens Datter
- Grendel
- Jagten
- Lindisfarne
- I Salens varme Glød
Napalm Records
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Jun 20, 2010
Jun 20, 2010
Next review:
Septekh - Not Quite What I Had In Mind
Share this:
