Review by Felix on February 12, 2025.

When it comes to vinyl releases, the role model in terms of value for money is Dying Victims Productions. The fan does not only get a coloured vinyl edition, but also poster, lyric sheet, postcard, download code, sticker, patch and an inner sleeve with a good haptics. Not to mention the exclusive pubic hair of the lead vocalist – or does it originate from someone else? Never mind. Okay, on the one hand I am a purist and I ask myself who needs all these gimmicks. On the other hand: I love them. They give me the pleasant feeling that someone with a passionate heart for metal has released the album. Now only the final yet crucial question remains – does the musical content makes my day? Vitriolic, it's up to you.

The trio hails from Finland and – now be prepared for an outrageous monstrosity – they do not (!) play black metal. At least not in its purest form. Vitriolic rumble with precision through the mire of the black thrash territory. I guess they have heard the wildest tracks of Deströyer 666 and they cannot hide this influence. And why should they? The Australians were always able to offer some jewels and Vitriolic don't keep a safe distance from their role models. Instead, they charge off savagely but skilfully. The nasty, hoarse voice as well as the riffs create an ominous mood which is embedded in an omnipresent ugliness. This concept works well and a look at the band pics can tell you why; obviously, these three creatures are experts in ugliness. But not only this – their musical competence allows them to write crunchy, compact songs which are free from any overly fat elements. They are not completely reduced to the essentials, but bombastic components or ornate melody lines you will search in vain.

Of course, bands like Vitriolic never sleep. They know only one direction, forward, forward and forward. The number of different riffs per song varies between a little and very little, the drummer gives his very best to destroy his kit in a matter of minutes and if Deströyer 666 would not exist, I probably would speak of Vitriolic as At War on drugs. They have this hunting attitude as the only feature that shows a clear contour in their spiritual simplicity. One could also call it their "Martial Spirit" and with that said, we know the title of the most destructive title of the A side at the same time. Anyway, all of the conventionally designed pieces leave their footprints and especially "The Eternal Return" meets the aforementioned highlight almost on an equal footing.

Nobody with a halfway healthy mind will ever expect a musical evolution from bands such as the Finns and definitely not from the A to the B side of one and the same release. Therefore it is only logical that the second half prolongs the massacre. The band keeps the sinister aura of its guitar work, a small number of breaks increases the dynamics and from time to time they create an almost catchy chorus ("Scorn Is The Son Of Defeat"). But Vitriolic don't have a close eye on catchiness and maybe this is something they should change in future, just to give their tracks a higher individuality. Anyway, right now it is okay what they do and the dark, rebellious and ass-kicking production fits the musical approach very well. Thus, the whole vinyl package makes sense. Vitriolic have deeply inhaled the formula of the bastard genre called black thrash and they are able to make good use of it. Only a mega-hit like "I Am the Wargod (ode to the Battle Slain)" is still missing.

Rating: 8 out of 10