Sorten Muld

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sorten Muld


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Århus, Denmark
Genre = Techno-folk
Years_active = 1995 – present
Label = Northside Records
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members = Ulla Bendixen
Martin Ottesen
Henrik Munch
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Sorten Muld is a Danish electro-folk band, formed in 1995. They have won two Danish Grammys for "Mark II". The English translation of Sorten Muld is Black Soil.

Their music can be characterized by elegantly composed rhythms, floating sound of typical folk-instruments like bagpipes, flutes and violins, in an electronica-composition that supports the dramatic lyrics. Some tracks on "Mark II" are up-beat with only few lyrics and could also be characterized as dance or techno. A music critic on the US National Public Radio network described Ulla Bendixen's voice as "...a sensuous whisper cajoling you to listen, even if you don't understand Danish."Fact|date=February 2007

The lyrics are old stories from Danish folk tradition, about jealousy, murder and creatures. In "Kirstin" from "Mark II" a father serves a meal of his daughter's boyfriend's heart for her. In "Ulver" from "III" a man takes his girlfriend into the forest to kill her and bury her without her knowledge. He falls asleep and she cuts him in pieces with his own sword.

"Sorten Muld" has also published a concept album called "Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand" ("Earth, Air, Fire, Water") – a mostly instrumental journey through the classic elements. The album is a remastered recording from a live show at Bornholm.

Members

*Ulla Bendixen - Vocals
*Martin Ottesen - Musician-Architect
*Henrik Munch - Technician

(all after this point appear on "III" only)
* Søren Bendixsen - Guitar
* Harald Haugaard - Viola, Violin, Hurdy-Gurdy
* Johannes Hejl - Double bass
* Niels Kilele - Percussion
* Tommy Nissen - Drums
* Martin Seeberg - Bagpipe, Flute, Jewish harp

Discography

Albums

*"Sorten Muld" (1996)
*"Mark II" (1997)
*"III" (2000)
*"Jord, Luft, Ild, Vand" (2002)

ingles

*"Ravnen" (1997)
*"Ravnen" (1997) (alternate cover/tracklist)
*"Bonden og Elverpigen" (1997)
*"Som Stjernerne på Himlens blå" (1997)
*"Venelite" (1998)
*"Mylardatter" (1998)
*"Vølven" (2000)

External links

* [http://www.sortenmuld.dk Official Site]
* [http://www.noside.com/catalog/CatalogArtist_01.asp?Action=Get&Artist_ID=36 Information from Northside]
* [http://www.webstacy.dk/SortenMuld Vilden Ø - Unofficial Site (Danish)]