Peregrinus

Svartsot are set to release their sixth – and probably last traditional – album in September 2025 is also the band’s 20th anniversary year.“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.