Review by Felix on March 30, 2025.

Misanthropic bitterness and total grimness are two of the usual ingredients when it comes to black metal. High speed and sharp riffs can typically be found when we speak about thrash. Urn's new album Demon Steel represents the eternally ugly bastard genre black thrash, but as amazing as it is – the aforementioned four components do not play a very significant role here. Instead, the material of the Finnish horde has a melancholic touch from time to time, while simultaneously a certain coolness shimmers though the notes. Urn are by no means self-ironic, but they do not become one with the style they perform, at least not as an end in itself, and this distanced approach, another amazing finding, does not hurt their authenticity or the sinister heaviness of the material.

"Wings Of Inferno" marks the melancholic highlight of the album. Its opening melody fragment is wiped away by biting guitars, but the pretty harmonic verse gains the upper hand quickly. A sad and wistful bridge as well as the triumphant yet desperate chorus add even more value to the song and the "carry me faaar" screams send shivers down my spine. The casual side of Urn shimmers through the lines of "Are You Friends With Your Demons". Don't be fooled by its up-tempo hammering, the chorus has almost poppy earworm qualities. Feel free to insult me right now – but this wording is a compliment for once, because the smoothness of the song's flow results in a very coherent and catchy yet abysmal listening experience. These two tracks are probably those with the most surprising vibes, but the more expectedly arranged pieces have something to say as well.

"Heir Of Tyrants", the first regular number, starts with menacing, thrashing guitar tones like a bulldog pulling on the chain in front of its kennel. Albeit this song also houses a quite melodic instrumental part, it leaves no doubt that the four-piece still stands knee-deep in the morass of moral depravity. Nevertheless, the more or less almost warm sound adds a charming component even for mainstream (metal) listeners. But those who like it edgy do not need to fear a polished production; it's just a professional one which brings all elements into their own. Only Moonblood fetishists, who prefer to go to their damp, mouldy crypt for a good night's rest, should keep their hands off Demon Steel.

Despite a lot of good tracks and the different moods the band covers, their sixth full-length is not an outstanding milestone, because a few comparatively unexciting tracks have sneaked into the tracklist as well. "Burning Blood's Curse" or "Iron Star" are okay, but nothing more, and the latter cannot keep the promise that the air raid siren makes at the beginning. Anyway, Demon Steel meets the pretty high expectations, because it houses enough killers that show the unbroken potential of the semi-legendary formation. "Ruthless Paranoia" is just one of them. It's simply a pleasure to hear how its intensive verses flow into a catchy, harmonic yet violent chorus. "Cold Void Skin" with its Deströyer 666 compatible guitar leads turns out to be another candidate for my private best of Urn tape (little nostalgic reminiscence). So at the end of the nearly 44 minutes, it is clear that mastermind Sulphur did not only contribute strong, malignant vocals to Demon Steel. He also presents a line-up that convinces as a whole. Therefore it does not come as a surprise that the great musicality, the tight interaction and the coherent overall picture make this release, despite its little weaknesses, to a highly welcome extension of the band's discography.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Felix on September 24, 2023.

Take the pathos of Graveland, the aesthetic of Summoning in more metallic form and the theatrical element of a band like Hell. If everything is mixed in the right dose, the result can be something like Det Gamle’s Rex Lucifer. I am listening to black metal here, even though the guys from Silesia prefer a pretty mild approach. Vehement outbursts are rare, while orchestral sections do not only show up from time to time. Atmosphere plays an important role, but do not think of icy landscapes or dreary fjords in pale autumn light. Det Gamle offer a subliminal eeriness which takes slowly possession of the listener without putting the focus on cheap shock effects. The Eastern European language and the expressed individuality of the group sometimes puts them a little close to Master's Hammer and there is a certain intersection with the very special mood of “The Jilemnice Occultist” - or does it just seem that way to me because the languages in Eastern Europe all sound very similar for a guy with dirty German ears?

Either way, some things can be said clearly. Despite the melodic and rather slow-to-mid-paced songs, the band is never at risk to deliver a sugary performance. They can spell the word “ambient”, no doubt about it, but this is no kitschy gothic shit or commercial-orientated metal. Yes, from time to time there is one violin too many, but the beastly component of the song material always shimmers through the deceptive beauty of the dignified sections. And, thank Lucifer, there are also some pretty violent parts, for example in 'Piekielny Ornament'. Actually, it's inexplicable that such a strong title is hidden in position eight, but better late than never. On the other hand, a rather average track has won the place after the intro. Lucifer Rex is no perfect album, but typical fillers also do not appear.

Of course, if you hate keyboards in black metal or general, you should better stay away from Lucifer Rex. But the guitars are also nearly omnipresent and they deliver the edgy touch it needs to take the album seriously. 'Siedem Trąb Apocalipsy', the song with the most obvious Summoning influence, marks a prime example for the almost perfect balance between these two opponents. Moreover, it houses very strong melody lines and a perfect arrangement. A song like the following 'Krzyż W Kąt' represents the more dramatic and intense pieces. It proves evidence that Det Gamle are able to handle both approaches cleverly… and fortunately they have found the right sound for their material. The output does not lack transparency and gives all instruments enough room to breathe. So now it’s your turn, are you interested in getting in touch with a mix of Graveland, Summoning and Hell? Maybe with an additional pinch of Cradle of Filth eroticism? Then ask for an audience with Lucifer Rex.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10