Hailing from Tampere, VITRIOLIC raise high the iron fist of their homeland’s oft-overlooked blackthrash scene. From the paradigmatic likes of Urn and Flame on to the next generation of Evil Angel, Sadokist, and labelmates RAPID, the power-trio of VITRIOLIC have been fighting the metal fight for the past five years. Initially, the band self-released their first couple EPs and a live album, and then made their full-length debut in 2021 with Renegade Ascension via Headsplit. And while some songs from their second album were forecast in demo form the last few years, at last arrives Black Steel Vengeance. No more perfectly titled, Black Steel Vengeance is VITRIOLIC are at their rowdiest and most powerful. Honed on the live front, Black Steel Vengeance is a ten-track assault of oldschool, riff-driven METAL. Black, speed, thrash, separately or all at once: VITRIOLIC let loose and live lawlessly on this 41-minute firestorm. Truly, this album is a testament to the burning underground spirit – theirs, yours, everyone’s who believes in Hell’s heavy metal – remaining grounded in the dirt of the past but digging up new graves that smell rottenly unfresh. The flag of hate of the original Teutonic Big Three flies proudly here, but VITRIOLIC manage to twist the knife in different-yet-honorable ways. As such, Black Steel Vengeance is equally at home in 1985, 1999, and 2025, such is its timeless gallop ‘n’ thrust. Raise your sword!
Side A :
Crown of Fire / The Eternal Return / Death Unconquered / Martial Spirit / Envenom Katharsis
Side B :
Hellspawn - Heir to Darkness / The Hunt / Scorn is the Son of Defeat / Trench Raider / Black Steel Vengeance
