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Band page - Svartsot
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Cris Frederiksen, lead and rhythm guitars, acoustic guitars, mandolin and backing vocals. Primary composer and lyric author.
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Svartsot play folk metal, combining various metal genres (primarily melodic death metal and thrash) with Nordic folk music. We were originally more black metal based than we are now. We wouldn't consider playing other styles, but are open for developing our current style.
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Our latest album is called Ravnenes Saga, and is our debut for Napalm Records. People should buy it because it is good music to drink to.
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
The band was formed in Randers, DK in February 2005. Most of the original members had played together in another folk/black metal band. We decided to change the style slightly, as well as the line-up and became Svartsot. The newer members that have come in to the band since then have been friends of at least one of the members prior to joining Svartsot.
Highlights have been winning the Danish Metal Grand Prix 2006. Here we won studio time with Jacob Bredahl at Smart n' Hard Studios in Århus. We used the time to record our second demo, Tvende Ravne, which is the recording that brought us to Napalm Records attention. We have also played alongside several of Denmark's leading metal bands, e.g. Mercenary, Volbeat and Illdisposed.
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Sure, right up until we stood in Hansen Studios and recorded Ravnenes Saga. Then it kind of went up for me that we were recording an album that was to be released across the world.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
There are many memorable moments, but the ones that stand out in particular are just the feeling you get when you stand on stage and people are enjoying what you are doing. You get a kind of kick or rush that is difficult to describe. I love it every time.
How is the writing process in the band?
That depends on many things. Mainly Michael and I write the material, sometimes together but often alone. Stewart and I have written some stuff together. We have also tried jamming stuff in the practice room, but it doesn't seem to work for us somehow. When we have written the material, we work with the arrangements in the practice room before the lyrics get written. We always start with the music and write the lyrics afterwards, as we feel that it is the music that decides the lyrics and not the other way round.
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
I started playing guitar when I was 8 years old, so music has been a part of my life for a very long time. When you are so deep in to the music, you just can't live without it. But I also have a day job as a traditional blacksmith, which is equally as important for me. None of the band members are professional full time musicians. Michael works in a record shop, Claus and Martin work with children, Stewart is a machinist and Niels is a labourer.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
I don't personally have any idols. I don't believe in that kind of thing. I would rather be myself and find my own way instead of looking to others for personal inspiration.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
No, I don't have any regrets. I feel that everything is an experience and shouldn't be regretted. One should rather learn from their mistakes instead.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
There's the track called Jotunheimsfærden, but that's mainly because we've played it so many times. It's cool to play live, but the most of us hate to play it in the practice room.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
The lyrics are very important. That is also why we chose to use Danish instead of English. The contents and the rhythms of the lyrics would seem wrong in English.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Same as it always has been and always will be - there is good stuff out there amongst the crap.
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
Streaming music on homepages maybe helps, but as long as it is possible to copy and download music, then you can't stop it. You can only try to appeal to people's conscience. Besides, metal grew under the days of tape trading, which amounts to the same.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Be what you are and believe in yourself.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
I get up far too early after far too little sleep, go to work, come home, spend some time with my wife and my daughter, eat, try to find time to write some music and all of the other stuff I have to do, sleep.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Apart from being with my family, I am active in the blacksmithing world as chairman for a nationwide blacksmith's society. I am also a member of a local blacksmithing society.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
I'll let you know when it happens.
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums: Jethro Tull "Songs From The Wood", Opeth "Blackwater Park", Thyrfing "Farsotstider".
Books: Alex W. Bealer "The Art of Blacksmithing", Politikens Etymologisk Ordbog, Saxo Grammaticus "Gesta Danorum".
Movies: I don't really watch films.
What is your favourite joke?
Much of my humour is dependant of the situation. At the moment, I think it must be the review we got in one Danish magazine, that there are several recognizable folk melodies on the album, when the whole lot is actually original material. The reviewer obviously doesn't listen to folk music, and probably isn't even a fan of folk metal.
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
The band is hoping to come out on tour as soon as we can. We are also considering making a video. Apart from that we are working on new material.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
We hope that they will enjoy the music.
Added by Steen - 10/15/2007
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