Interview with BELT
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about BEŁT (Members, Starting Year etc).
Maniacs! Bełt is a speed metal band from Warsaw that glorifies the sound of 80s heavy metal like Venom, Exciter, Whiplash, Kat etc or as I call it Bełt plays Złowieszczy Metal. Bełt firstly started in 2021 but it wasn't anything serious. It wasn't until 2024 that I started to work on more mature material that was beginning to sound like what you can hear on the Rytuał demo. Up to 2026 Bełt was a solo project. It was never meant to be a solo project but I couldn't find anyone to play with. Now I have found a drummer and a bassist so we will finally be able to play live shows in the near future.
You have recently released your demo ''Rytuał''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
Feedback from my audience was very positive. I have received a lot of positive reactions about it and I am happy that people enjoy it. Some people told me that it sound like it was taken straight from the 80s and I am very happy to hear that because that was the goal when I was mixing it.
And what about the lyrics?
Lyrics on the demo focus on topics like satanism, vengeance, hell, occultism and heavy metal. They are pretty straight forward and don't have any deeper meaning than just telling cool stories about orgy of witches with Satan and things like that.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
In the near future I would love to get signed in with a label like Dying Victims or HR Records. For Rytuał demo I had chosen to go DIY becouse I think that it adds a lot of atmosphere to it and I didn't really knew how to get in touch with any of those labels.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
I don't have much funny stories from the recordings but I have one funny story from the time when I was making the cover art for the album. So the title for the album is Rytuał but due to me having problems with writing in proper grammar original title was Rytułał. It wasn't until I showed finished album cover to my dad and he pointed out that the title was not written correctly. I was firstly mad at it but now i find it pretty funny. I have also sang Rytuał song this way so if you listen closely i can hear me shouting RYTUŁAŁ insted of RYTUAŁ.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I definitely prefer physical releases over digital releases. In my opinion it is simply much more easier to feel the album when you are playing it on Vinyl, CD, Tape than just streaming it of internet.
When it comes to choosing what type of physical release is the best I don't really have a favorite form of it. If I want better sound quality I will go with a CD if I just want a cool looking record with massive album cover I will go with Vinyl and If I want the best atmosphere I will go with tape. Rytuał was released on tapes because I didn't had a big budget for it and I think that tape suits the climate on that album.
Your music style is Black/Speed Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
When it comes to my inspirations for Bełt it is a spectrum of 80s Heavy Metal. My main influences when I was writing material for Rytuał demo were bands like Bathory, Venom, Exciter, Bulldozer, Omen, Whiplash, Tank, Iron Angel, Razor, Kat, TSA, Tyrant, Savage Grace, W.A.S.P., Destruction and also newer bands like Sex Mag, Pursuer, Cruel Force, Hellcrash and Gallower.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
Things that every band should sacrifice in order to succeed are definitely time and money. You simply won't get any better with out spending time and practising together. Sometimes also you have to spend money to go and tour or buy important gear. I also had to sacrifice grades in school.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
We haven't played any live shows yet. But If I had to imagine a perfect show I think there would be no technical difficulties and when it comes to the crowd I think that every one would scream along to the lyrics, bang their heads against the stage ,mosh and have a great time.
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
I hate every sort "art" that was made by using AI. I can't stand AI in art and music and every one who is using it should by judged by the Metal Inquisition!!!!
What attributes do you think that a new Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
I think that in order to gain identity and be unique on a metal scene band and its members have to understand the style they want to play and what they represent by their art. You don't want to become another Slayer, Metallica or Venom clone. You have to have your own idea for your sound.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
Digital Platforms definitely do help new bands to gain some fanbase. And I think they are a great way to promote your band. But you have to be careful with using them to much not to become one of those tiktok/instagram bands that have a lot o views and followers but no one really listens to.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Metal band to avoid or what to do?
For now I don't have much experience and I am still a new metal band. From my experience till now you definitely have to be patient and have a lot of passion for the music that you play and don't give in never surrender! Maybe in the future I will be able to expand this topic a bit more.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Poland (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Underground Metal Scene in Poland is really strong. I think that people are really dedicated are to the music. There are also a lot of great bands like Sex Mag, Pursuer, Gallower and new bands like Bömbardiër, Rapidfire, Hornet, Mauser, Morgarath, B.D.S.M. and many more. From zines I am not that well known with them but one that I really enjoyed reading was Underground Unleashed Zine.
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Heavy Metal is everything for me. Life would really suck without it. It is hard to choose only ten albums but If I had to choose the most influential ones for me they would be:
Whiplash- Power and Pain
Bathory- Bathory
Razor- Evil Invaders
Exciter- Long Live The Loud
Savage Grace- Master of Disguise
Kat- 666
Iron Angel- Hellish Crossfire
Hallows Eve- Tales of Terror
Venom- Welcome to Hell
Bulldozer- Final Separation
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I don't really know much a about Metal Scene in Greece. The only band from there that I know is Rotting Christ and their album Thy Mighty Contract it is pretty good. As a fun fact related to Greece, first vinyl that I have ever bought was a Greek pressing of Motorhead's Iron Fist.
What are your future plans?
Our future plans are definitely to finally play some live shows. Besides this we are working on a new material so maybe this or next year we will release it.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
First of all I am really grateful to be a apart of this webzine! I also want to thank everyone who listened the demo and support this malicious act of heavy metal terror!!!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
BELT CONTACT:
https://beltspeedmetal.bandcamp.com/album/rytua
https://www.instagram.com/belt.speed
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sKXV3oFYXS8KthlLeFphl