Svartby

Svartby is a folk black metal band from Saint-Petersburg, Russia

We sing about wild magical creatures living in Svartby (the 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.

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 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 into “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
- “Humus” song is included into Metal Hammer's “Battle Metal VIII” compilation cd.
- Hök and Somna leave the band
- Fenrir from folk-metal band Der Galgen becomes new drummer
- Svartby decide to become a quartet
- ”Riv, Hugg och Bit” is released at Trollzorn label in August, 29

2010
- Skrik becomes new frontman/bass, replacing Torhall.

…to be continued