There’s a lot to take in when you start exploring the background to Iselder, the Welsh Nationalist black metal project run by sole member Gofid. Started in 2014, there is plenty of background to absorb, and as a fellow Welshman, plenty of what he stands for in his music certainly resonates deeply. I’m not sure how Iselder is viewed amongst the metal community. The word nationalist holds different meanings across the world, with the connotations to Nazism something that is often raised. Within black metal, this is a particularly complex and challenging subject with various factions and sub-factions, which I won’t even consider exploring here. With previous releases focusing on various points in Welsh history and the perception of persecution and unfairness at the hands of the English, as well as covers of some traditional Welsh folk songs, it’s probably sufficient to say that the content of Iselder’s music may be somewhat divisive.
Originally planned for release in 2021, Metel Du Gwir Cymreig or True Welsh Black Metal was postponed after Gofid was arrested and possessions seized due to a parody t-shirt featuring the phrase ‘Burn Your Local Holiday Home’ (a reference to Meibion Glyndwr). After five months of not knowing what would happen, all charges were finally dropped and Gofid was free to complete work on his latest release.
Metel Du Gwir Cymreig is dark, brooding, and deep. Unsurprising, given that Iselder translates to depression with Gofid meaning sorrow in Welsh. Opening with an oratory which references hundreds of years of Welsh oppression, from the Edward 1’s Ring of Iron right through to the Miners’ Strikes of the 1980s. “Cyflwyniad” which opens the album leaves little to the imagination. It’s a rallying cry, a call to arms for those who desire and demand independence. Gofid delivers his vocals in English, allowing a wider audience to understand his messages. Musically it’s solid and somewhat formulaic but certainly catches the ear with heavy riffs and pounding drums. Anthems abound.
A swirling riff kicks in with the war cry, “I’r Gad”, which can be interpreted as “let’s go”. “Are you ready for war?” Gofid asks in the chorus, played out alongside a simple riff and solid drumming. The tempo remains fast and frenetic for “Cofio” which follows. Whilst the music is relatively straightforward, with the vocals gritty and gargled in true Darkthrone style, it’s the lyrics that hit hard. “Cofio” focuses on the flooding of Capel Celyn in 1965 to supply water to Liverpool. Even today, over 55 years on and despite an apology from Liverpool in 2005, this remains a dark memory in Welsh history and the line ‘cofiwch Dryweryn’, which means ‘ Tryweryn’ continues to be a phrase for the nationalist movement. For those who still hurt, this is raw and emotional.
After “Cont”, which you don’t need to be Welsh to translate, comes “Brad y llyfrau Glas”. Filled with elements of doom alongside the monotone riff, this is a song about the treachery of the blue books, based on a report in 1847 commissioned to examine the state of education in Wales but felt to be massively biased and exaggerated the weaknesses in the system. Gofid varies the tempo on “Llosgi Bwriadol”, providing a darker, doomier feel to a track that covers the topic of those 220 holiday homes burnt down by Meibion Glyndwr in the 1980s. The tempo matches the subject matter perfectly.
It’s time to thrash on “Rebecca”, an explosive and hard-driven piece which touches on the economic rebellion by the sons of Rebecca from 1839-43. It’s a compelling track, the pummelling drumming and fiery riff bringing much to the song. It’s followed by the equally high tempo of “Glwad y Meirw” or “Land of the Dead”. If you were in any doubt by now of the intentions of Iselder, then the final smack to the head should sort you out as the punk infused “Rhyfela” or “War” finishes the album with ion and fury.
It’s an album that’s ferociously political, for which Gofid is unlikely to be concerned about. This is more than just music. It’s from the heart, from the centuries of oppression that Wales experienced. It’s a voice that brings long lost topics back to the top and raises a thorny political issue within the framework of black and thrash metal.
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Metel Du Gwir Cymreig is out on 15th April
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