ALBUM REVIEW: Urn – Demon Steel

Finland’s malevolent Black-Thrash Metal mob Urn are back with their 6th full length album. Having been active since 1994, this remains a cult name in the underground that continues to put out ferocious records. This new opus will be unleashed by Osmose Productions on March 28th.

Thunderous guitars and drums come into life with a chiming bell as demonic vocals join the mix, instantly conjuring a majestic and epic Black-Thrash attack. Mixing tough rhythms with melodic leads, the classic Heavy Metal feeling is very prevalent in the beginning moments of this record, something I am always grateful for. Their barbaric high-speed assault kicks in with that savage edge to it that made their last album so killer. Keeping the precise picking and varied drum performance from before, the band feels full of energy and a strong hunger for destruction. Pounding with fury, the low end rattle of the bass comes through gloriously while the potently mixed guitars have so much body, a stunning mix indeed. Equally impressive are the magnificent solos which are packed with melodics and shredding mayhem in equal measure. There is no denying the refined talents of these seasoned maniacs and it is a pleasure to hear them back in such fantastic form. “Demon Steel” is off to a stellar start.

Although it’s always fiercely ripping away at you, this record definitely knows how to use dynamics. From those soaring melodics to the blasting hellfire; there is no resting or laziness in the songwriting. While remaining true to the formula that the band set out with (at least the more thrashy records of their career), we hear the strength they have developed coming closer than ever to perfection. There has always been an impressive ability with this band to sound totally extreme and yet retain a very 80s anthemic quality in their music, a balance that is just right to my ear and sounds very Finnish. From Tarot to Archgoat to Rippikoulu; Finland has always had a strong mix of Heavy Metal bands. Urn are another part of this legacy which sits in the darker side while upholding the earlier roots.

Staying true until the end, this belligerent band keeps the faith with no remorse and no mercy for the wimps bastardising the modern era. The old school is alive and well with no compromise being shown by these stalwarts of savagery. Their metallic flame burns bright and remains ablaze until the end with a stunning array of songs that all show strength. With a primal energy that is so damn contagious, Urn command you with an impressive presence through the speakers. Harkening back to the likes of Desaster, Nifelheim, Sodom and Destruction; Urn know how to wield the blade of Black-Thrash Metal and cause the most havoc and mayhem possible with it, slicing through posers without hesitation. You will be bewitched by the venomous excellence of their new album and its adrenaline-pumping fury that will spellbind you until the end.

“Demon Steel” is indeed a perfect title for this metallic offering of total viciousness. Sharp, refined and ready to brawl; this Finnish horde shows no sign of rusting yet with their sixth album a total triumph worthy of their unwavering discography. Violent, impactful and intense with a ton of 80s grandiosity, this is a superb follow up to “Iron Will Of Power”.