This CD from Dutch WELTER was a surprise to me, as it was quite a departure from the Blasphemy-grind of their demo into ”Ingvian Heathen Metal” which means heavy BATHORY influence, ships sailing for war, lots of beer and national pride. At first listen all this sounded somehow clumsy, because there are still tracks of the more old-style WELTER and when they mix up with the later material that is yet not so well played, it sounds more like a demo and one might wonder why bands get signed to labels so early on in their ”careers” these days. However, it’s very sympathetic from the catchy and emotional folk-metal songs to the ABSURD cover track and the picture-collage in the sleeve (why don’t they have those more often anymore?). I ended up liking this quite a bit and this might be one of the records I’ve listened to most since the purchase of this, maybe nine months ago.

Now I am really expecting for more material from this great one-man band.

© 2000 black hate