A review of Vitriolic „Black Steel Vengeance”

 

Vitriolic

“Black Steel Vengeance”

Dying Victims Prod. 2025

 

Are you familiar with Huoripukki? Yes, those Finnish guys who had been recording demos and EPs, only to earn a full length debut  thirteen years later. It turns out that two of them have set up a side-project called Vitriolic, whose new album is currently spinning in my player. Apparently, under the new name the gentlemen are not so lethargic, because the album in question is already their second one, despite the fact that the band has existed for “only” six years. “Black Steel Vengeance” is just over forty minutes of speed metal with distinct black metal overtones. And when there's “speed” in the name, you know it must be fast and venomous. In fact, from the beginning to the end of the album Vitriolic treat us with old-school, energetic and hard-hitting riffing. There's not much originality in it, but how much fun! It just makes you  put on your denim jacket, white trainers, a cartridge belt, and dance, if not in front of the stage, then at least around your living room. What power and destructive capacity this music has, how wonderfully reminiscent of old times it is, and above all, with what joy it is played! There are a few passages here, like “Scorn is the Son of Defeat” or the title track, that make it impossible to sit still in a chair. You can hear that the Finns have a great feel for the atmosphere of the eighties, which is further strengthened by a black metal note and more aggressive vocals. You can also hear that they can play, because in their compositions riff chases riff, and there is no boredom or beer breaks here. There's a hard ride and worship of old-school metal with a capital M. It sounds great, too, with all standards maintained and without destroying the music with absurd digital processing. There's no point in dissecting all the details of “Black Steel Vengeance,” because anyone who loves this kind os music knows exactly what to do. I will give you a hint. You can buy this release blind, because it will be very well spent money. Yet another great time machine from Dying Victims Productions. More, please!

- jesusatan