Review by Felix on November 5, 2019.

Aegrus, Finland. How many (mostly excellent) bands raise hell in this country? I accept that I cannot keep the overview about the global metal scene with all its different styles, but it makes me sick that I even fail to be familiar with each and every Finnish black metal unit that has recorded at least one album. Anyway, if the two songs are representative for the band then it's definitely time to become familiar with its back catalogue.

The band - thank God, not another one-man-project - does not copy the formulas of Finnish role models such as Behexen or Horna, nevertheless, the songs are easily comparable with those of these legendary names. Maelstrom-like guitars create a mix of swift, triumphant, melancholic or - mostly - raging leads, the guttural voice gives a foretaste of eternal damnation and the drummer knows his mission very well and ensures the right amount of tempo changes. Both songs flow excellently, and I am really surprised about this demonstration of strength. The only thing I miss is a third track. And a fourth one. And a fifth one. And... (to be continued)

Purity Through Fire has proved its fine instinct for good bands once again and I hope - and I have no doubt - that Aegrus will go on with an equally strong full-length in order to get more attention from the underground hordes. After three albums, they do not lack maturity, but they also still sound aggressive, fiery and determined. This is a very good starting position, so the dudes should keep on working hard and make the best out of it. In the meanwhile, I try to improve my knowledge about the gargantuan black metal community of Suomi, although I know it is a mammoth task which will overstrain my limited capabilities.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10