No, you don’t HAVE to be German to like the so-called Medieval rock or metal! I’m fairly intrigued by the sounds of In Extremo and Subway to Sally, and it’s therefore quite natural to also like fellow Germans Saltatio Mortis, who play along the same lines as they massively popular colleagues.

Saltation Mortis have also been able to produce chart entries in their home country, and I can see why. ‘Aus der Asche’ is rocking piece, with catchy tunes and that fascinating folkloristic element – pipes, shawms, harps, the works.

If you think that In Extremo and Subway to Sally are just bollocks, then you should stay away from this – because this is a combination of both bands, even to the point where you think that you’ve heard the songs before from the before-mentioned bands, and that’s why I also have to conclude that Saltatio Mortis are not quite in the league of their countrymen – not yet anyway.

‘Aus der Asche’ is still worth a listen, though – by far.

P.S.: Why is that some German bands (read: In Extremo and Saltation Mortis) think that things get REALLY authentic when you sing in Swedish of all languages? I don’t get, I just don’t…