Peregrinus by Svartsot
SVARTSOT are set to release their sixth – and probably last traditional – album in September. 2025 is also the band’s 20th anniversary year.
Following the release of “Kumbl” on Mighty Music in 2022 and a series of shows in support of the album, work commenced on the writing of the next album. It was, however, at this time that long-time drummer and producer of “Kumbl”, Frederik Uglebjerg, announced his departure from Svartsot. Frederik returned briefly in 2024 to help with a series of concerts, including performances at Graspop Metal Meeting and Wacken Open Air, before a new permanent drummer could be found in Rune Frisch and final preparations for recording the new album could be initiated.
That new album is “Peregrinus”, a nine-track concept album telling the tale of an orphaned young man who gets the wrong young lady pregnant and is thus forced to take up the cross and go on a crusade in order to have his sins indulged. Whilst in the Holy Lands, he is repulsed by the way his fellow crusaders act and is almost murdered when he speaks up. He is nursed back to health by a hospitaller, and, after seeing more atrocities and absurdities committed by the crusaders whilst besieging a town, decides that fighting for the church is not something he can bring himself to do. Upon returning home, however, he is mortally wounded by an outlaw and, in his dying breath, discovers that all religion – whether that of Christian Europe or of the Infidel – is worthless lies.
“Peregrinus” is medieval Latin for a wanderer, stranger or crusader. Seven of the tracks have names taken from the seven virtues crusaders were expected to live up to: Tarditas (slowness), Communitas (community), Simplicitas (simplicity), Libertas (liberty), Neglentia (carefreeness), Spiritualitas (spirituality) and Silentium (silence). Via Dolorosa (“The sorrowful way”) is a pilgrims’ route in Jerusalem. Como Póden Per Sas Culpas (“Because of his sins”) – the album’s intro – is a 13th century Spanish song about going on a pilgrimage, also known as Cantigas de Santa Marias no. 166. A melody in Libertas is borrowed from the 13th century German crusade song Palästinalied by Walther von der Vogelwiede, whilst a melody in Spiritualitas is based on the traditional Lebanese song Al Nedda. All other music is original compositions by Cris J.S. Frederiksen, all lyrics by Thor Bager.
The album was recorded in January 2025 at Antfarm Studios, Denmark, by legendary producer Tue Madsen, who also mixed and mastered the album. Artwork and layout were created by the talented artist and musician Frederik Jensen, who is known from the band Thus, the brightest new stars on the Danish metal scene. Photos were taken by the award-winning landscape photographer Lars Roed, who himself was the drummer in the now defunct Danish metal band Everticum.
Tracklist
| 1. | Como póden per sas culpas | 1:02 |
| 2. | Tarditas | 4:52 |
| 3. | Communitas | 5:38 |
| 4. | Simplicitas | 5:09 |
| 5. | Libertas | 6:12 |
| 6. | Neglentia | 5:09 |
| 7. | Spiritualitas | 5:40 |
| 8. | Via Dolorosa | 5:22 |
| 9. | Silentium | 5:14 |
Credits
License
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Denmark’s original and leading folk metal band since 2005. SVARTSOT mixes tales from Denmark’s history and folklore with folk and medieval inspired melodies on folk instruments and lead guitar on the one side and crushing melodic death metal on the other side.