Affliction Vector--Contra Hominem CD/LP {Iron Bonehead Records} done on 9-3-25

From Italy comes Affliction Vector with their first full length album - they had just one EP prior to this. It's definitely more to the black metal end of the black/death spectrum, with claustrophobic riffing and smothering textures. The vocals range from shout to snarl to scream in true black metal style. It's brutal, but with a definite sense of dark and cold melody at times. This has as much in common with Mayhem as it does with Conqueror or Revenge, a perfect middle ground with good riffs and decent composition. Weird intros and outros abound, adding to the horrific, choking atmosphere. Their songs do tend to blend a bit on the first listen through, but I imagine with multiple listens that subsides. There's just so much going on in these songs that you won't catch it all the first time through unless you have a truly trained ear. It's hard to absorb in one sitting. This is not a bad thing, as Emperor was like this for me at first as well. This is worth the time to check out if you want something a bit more visceral from your black metal.

ironbonehead.de

Flagg--Diabolical Bloodlust CD {Purity Through Fire} done on 9-2-25

Flagg from Finland gives us this, their third full length, and a might one it is. Breaking somewhat with what has become known as the Finnish sound, Flagg has crafted a record influenced mainly by the Norwegian gods, and it could stand alongside those records if it had been released in the 1990s. So, is it derivative? Yes. Is it good? Fuck yes. It's very good. Icy black melodies and cold-as-winter riffs abound. The vocals are strong, long and drawn out screams, but perfectly timed. Synths make extended appearances here, but much like Emperor, they add to the music instead of detract from it. They add an extra layer of melody to the tracks. The drums are masterful indeed, and the double bass is relentless, as is proper with this style of black metal. In fact, the bass and drums work together more than most acts that play in this style, playing off each other and avoiding the pitfall of just following the riffs. This is a perfect record for those of us who pine for the glory days of black metal, when the astounding releases just kept coming. Is this as memorable as those classic albums? No. But few things are. Flagg has done an outstanding job here, and credit where it's due. It's worth tracking down.

purity-through-fire.com

Urn--Demon Steel CD/LP/CS {Osmose Productions} done on 9-1-25

By now everyone ought to know about Urn from Finland, who ply us with their black/thrash for a sixth time on this new full length. It's black/thrash of the highest order, bringing to mind all the greats, but Urn has seemingly become one of these greats in their own right, bringing melody to bear on this album in a way that I do not recall that they did on the material that I previously heard. I'm not as familiar with their back catalog as I should be, checking out after their debut 666 Megatons, and I am glad I decided to review this to catch up with them. They came to prominence during the black/thrash boom of the early 2000s, and for some reason I just lost track of them. Even with the masterful melodies on display (and excellent solos), as well as more brutal thrash aspects, they maintain a primitive aspect to the music that belies their black metal roots, and this is a good thing. It's where they came from, and where they continue to tread. The lyrics and vocal patterns are a little simplistic but I think this has rather to do with English as a second language rather than any sort of songwriting defect. I think I'll be paying much closer attention to any future Urn albums, and checking out that back catalog. I did not expect this to be as good as it is, and it's truly one of the better records in this style I've heard in quite some time. 

osmoseproductions.com