Svartby is a folk metal band from Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
The band sings about wild magical creatures living in fictional place "Svartby" (Black Village) - witches, goblins, dwarfs - definitely unkind to human folk, but at the same time merry, nature-loving and nice living beings with a good sense of humor. The lyrics are in Swedish.
The lyrics of the debut album were heavily criticized by Swedish listeners (even the name "Kom I Min Kittel" became "cum in my cauldron" in Swedish ears, not "come into my cauldron"as the band meant). So, to avoid misunderstanding and possible grammar mistakes, the band asked their Swedish friends to check lyrics for further releases ("Tomte" EP and second full length "Riv, Hugg och Bit").
Line-up:
Torhall – vocals, bass
Lindwurm – guitars
Giftsvamp – keyboards, lyrics
Fenrir – drums
Ex-members:
Hemskalf – guitars, clean vocals (2004-2005)
Hök - guitars (2005-2009)
Somna - drums (2004-2009)
Svartby chronicles
2003 - Giftsvamp starts playing keyboards after a 4-year break – with thoughts of dark magical creatures. So echoes of melodies were born.
- Brutal death band NORDLICHT (Giftsvamp – bass, Lindwurm - guitars) get acquainted with a rock-n-roll band RROLL and future SVARTBY's frontman Torhall.
2004
- Melodies become songs, ideas become lyrics
- Lindwurm and Giftsvamp quit NORDLICHT and SVARTBY is formed in June.
- Hemskalf is employed to sing clear vocals and be the second guitar
- Torhall joins the band in August
- Somna joins the band in October, 10
2005
- First demo-EP “Kom I Min Kittel” recorded in February
- SVARTBY’s first gig in June
- Hemskalf leaves SVARTBY in October
- Hök joins SVARTBY in October, 10
- First SVARTBY gig with Hök in October, 28
2006
- SVARTBY starts recording debuting album
- Great gig activity
2007
- First gig outside Saint-Petersburg in June. SVARTBY becomes a touring band
- “Kom I Min Kittel” album, devoted to witches of the Black Village, is released at FONO Records in July
- SVARTBY records new 5-song “Tomte” EP.
- “Tomte” EP is available for free downloading in November, 28
- “Skogens Ursinne” song is included to “Pagan Battle Tunes” compilation cd.
2008
- Kom I Min Kittel album is released in Europe by Trollzorn label in February.
- SVARTBY is signed at Trollzorn in July
- The band records new album “Riv, Hugg och Bit”, devoted to the dwarves of the Black Village
2009
- Hök and Somna leave the band because they don't want to play folk-metal anymore.
- New drummer of Svartby - Fenrir, who also plays in folk metal band Der Galgen.
- Svartby becomes a band of 4 members
Torhall - vocals, bass
Lindwurm - guitars
Giftsvamp - keyboards, lyrics
Fenrir - drums
in order to gain a more thrash/rock-n-roll drive.
- Riv, Hugg och Bit album is released in August, 29 at Trollzorn
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