Review by George Stiglic on November 10, 2024.

Since I first listened to the Japanese band Sigh, I’ve been constantly surprised—in a good way—by Asian metal. There’s something intriguing and refreshing in how artists from this region approach the genre, and the Singaporean project Welkin takes it to a whole new level. At first, you might think there’s nothing left to discover in black metal: the genre is full of tremolo picking, “evil” note sequences, and melodic dissonances. But Welkin defies these conventions, bringing a fresh perspective that adds a surprising depth to black metal.

The setup is pretty typical: two guitars, some background keyboards, and high-pitched harsh vocals. But Welkin’s approach to riff and melody construction stands out. Traditional black metal often relies on dissonance or power chords, but Welkin goes in another direction, using harmonious note sequences that use to sound - consonantia. This difference makes the music unexpectedly powerful and memorable. The riffs here are based on the minor pentatonic scale, which also appears often in traditional Asian music. This detail adds a cultural flavor to the sound, making it feel epic and energetic.

The second track deserves special attention for its opening solo—an unforgettable melody that instantly catches your ear and stays with you. There are certain notes in this solo that remind me of the soundtracks from old Sega and NES games from the '90s, which adds a nostalgic touch. This solo then flows into a strong, memorable riff that you want to hear over and over.

The song titles, written in both kanji and English, suggest themes of historical events and wars, which, to me, fits perfectly with this style of music. There are only four tracks on the album, lasting about 40 minutes, which may seem long to some listeners. But trust me, it doesn’t feel boring for a moment. One more thing that impresses me is the age of the project’s creator. According to Metal Archives, he’s only 21 years old, which is amazing, given the maturity and skill in his work.

Rating: 10 out of 10