Monday, October 13, 2025

Svartsot | Peregrinus | Mighty Music

 

Genre: Folk Metal
Release Date: 05.09.2025
Country: Denmark
Format: LP (black, white, green), Digipack CD, Digital

Two decades after their formation, Svartsot return with “Peregrinus”, their sixth studio album and what they call their final “traditional” release. The Danish folk metallers have long carried the torch for medieval-inspired metal in Scandinavia, combining heavy riffs with authentic folk instrumentation. With a concept rooted in a crusader’s doomed journey toward faith and disillusionment, “Peregrinus” feels like a fitting milestone for the band’s 20th anniversary.


The story behind “Peregrinus” is darkly human and medieval. A man burdened by sin, sent to the Holy Land, and ultimately crushed by the hypocrisy he witnesses. The lyrical concept, written by vocalist Thor Bager, reads almost like a folk chronicle, tragic, moral, and full of irony. Musically, the album draws its strength from Cris J.S. Frederiksen’s writing, weaving together ancient melodies and modern metal riffs. “Libertas” borrows from Walther von der Vogelwiede’s “Palästinalied,” while “Spiritualitas” nods to the traditional Lebanese song “Al Nedda,” giving the album a multicultural color that fits its theme of pilgrimage and clash of worlds.

The production by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios gives “Peregrinus” a rich, organic tone. The guitars rumble with warmth, and the folk instruments, whistles, bagpipes, mandolin, cut through like wind over a battlefield. The rhythm section is tight and precise, Rune Frisch’s drumming adding muscle without smothering the melodies. The music unfolds with consistent focus, and while the album doesn’t chase experimentation, it maintains a strong character.


Vocally, Bager continues his coarse, commanding delivery in Danish, giving the music an authentic bite that feels true to the band’s roots. The choruses have a chant-like quality, pulling from medieval tradition as much as from heavy metal. Each song builds on the same storytelling atmosphere, moving like chapters in a saga.

“Peregrinus” sounds confident and rooted in what Svartsot do best, sturdy folk metal that balances heaviness with melody and history with storytelling. It’s not the kind of album that aims for surprises, but one that stands firm in identity and craftsmanship. As a closing chapter to their traditional style, it works as a solid farewell to the sound that built their name.

Score: 8.0


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