On the ways of playing Black Metal, one can chose between two main paths: one with the funeral and aggressive outfit, based on guitars, bass and vocals; and the other where the band allows somber and funereal melodies to come into the mix, and keyboards are allowed. On both ways there are excellent acts and great releases, so it’s a matter of playing with heard whatever you choose. And the Dutch trio WELTSCHMERZ shows on “III: Non Sequitur” that their country can breed raw Black Metal acts as well.

Classic Black Metal as stated by the acts of the Second Wave of the genre as MAYHEM and DARKTHRONE, they allow some sinister atmospheric traces to be put on their music, and the whole picture is something that can cause chills on the spine of the fans. But even being on a classic form of Black Metal, it doesn’t mean that they lack a good instrumental technique (what can be heard on “Casus Belli” guitars’ arrangements). The formula is old, but they use it on a personal way that is filled with that catching funereal appeal of the past.

The production was done by the hands of the bassist/guitarist Hræsvelg (who took the responsibility of doing the sound engineering as well), and Colin Marston took hold of the mastering, and their efforts were done in a way to combine the Old School Black Metal outfit with a very good level of sound definition: everything can be heard and understood without problems, but with Black Metal instrumental tunes; and as guests, here is Sonja Ninck Blok playing piano’s parts. On the graphics, the work of Galgenvot (the band’s singer) on the design and Nayla Art on the artwork is what the band’s music needs to be expressed on visual arts.

A third album carries a lot of responsibility, and “III: Non Sequitur” passes in the test, showing that “Casus Belli” (here is a momnt where all the classic Black Metal elements can be heard, with excellent bass guitar and drums parts on the rhythmic shifts), “The Unwavering Silence” (where some melodic traces can be heard during the guitar solos), “A Shimmering Light” (a slow and funereal song filled with very good harsh vocals), “Emanations”, “Fugit Irreparabile Tempus” (an brutal and oppressive song with violent blast beats contrasting with slow parts) and “Ego Solus” are fine offering to Black Metal fans.

Take a dive on “III: Non Sequitur”, and praise the very good work of WELTSCHMERZ.