Flagg/Burn The Idols/2026 EP Review

  Finland's  Flagg  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  ep  "Burn  The  Idols"  which  will  be  released  on  march  13th.

  The  sounds  of  fire  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.

  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  classic  Finnish  tradition  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Angry  shouts  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  the  guitar  leads  also  adding  in  more  of  an  old  school  style  along  with  each  track  also  adding  in  a  different  vocalists  and  a  couple  of  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  synths  which  also  adds  in  some  atmospheric  touches,  clean  playing  is  also  added  on  the  closing  song  which  is  also  am  instrumental.

  On  this  recording  Flag g brings  out  a  very  raw,  atmospheric  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  which  is  different  from  previous  releases  without  losing  any  aggression.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  defiance,  collapse  and  rebirth. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Flagg  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric,  old  school  and  raw  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Burn  The  Idols"  and  "Absolute  Revulsion".  8  out  of  10.

  

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Flagg/Diabolical Bloodlust/Purity Through Fire/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Flagg  are  a  duo  from  Finland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  fast,  melodic  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Diabolical  Bloodlust"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Purity  Through  Fire.

  Melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams   while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody. 

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  keyboards  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  music  focuses  more  on  the  classic  European  style. 

  On  this  recording  Flagg  goes  for  more  of  a  fast,  melodic  and  raw  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  darkness,  misanthropy  and  anti  religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Flagg  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Storming  The  Gates"  "The  Book  Of  Death"  and  "Omega  Dawn".  8  out  of  10.

  www.facebook.com/flagg.official 

Flagg/Cosmic Chaos Manifest/Purity Through Fire/2021 CD Review

 

  Flagg  are  a  duo  from  Finland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Cosmic  Chaos  Manifest"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Purity  Through  Fire.

  A  very  dark  synth  orientated  intro  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  synths  also  mixing  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of   the  music  briefly.

  The  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  90's  and  early  2000's  influences  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  guitar  leads  and  solos  also  being  done  in  an  old  school  yet  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  clear  vocals  onto  the  recording  and  some  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  On  this  recording  Flagg  goes  for  more  of  a  raw,  melodic  and  old  school  Finnish  style  of  black  metal.  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  darkness,  misanthropy  and  anti  religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Flagg  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw,  melodic  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cosmic  Chaos  Manifest"  "Serpent's  Chamber"  "Flame  Of  Hate"  and  "To  The  Coldness  Beyond".  8  out  of  10.

www.facebook.com/flagg.official

https://youtu.be/X9xteUQuqvk    

Flagg interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?


Flagg is my bm solo project that I started around 2018. When I had the songs for the album somewhat ready and recorded, I showed the project to Tyrant and asked him to join in for the vocals.


2.Recently you have released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?


I wanted the album to be dark and aggressive at the same time. Also I didn't want the album to be too polished so it wouldn't lose the raw and primal feeling to it.


3.Most of the music is also very heavily rooted in the 90's era, do you feel the old school style of black metal still stands out after more than 25 years?


I don't really think about that when I write music, I just do what naturally comes out and don't try to force anything. I did grew up listening the 90's era bm bands and I still listen those same bands so I guess they have “rooted” my music to that era. Any good music is ageless.


4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?


Lyrical themes involves death, darkness, misanthropy and anti-religion. Most of the lyrics are based around death in some sort of way or spite for human race.


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Flagg'?


Flagg is taken from Stephen King's novels. There is an antagonist named Randall Flagg that represents ultimate evil and darkness in world. He can be seen as satan or the darkness in all of us. Servant of outer dark.


6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?


The faceless monster in the cover represents darkness in the world or incarnation of evil. The baby he is about to devour or dismember represents mankind. Human race is headed towards inevitable destruction and there's no hope for it. Vhan artworks and printing did fine work for the album. (https://www.facebook.com/vhanartworks/ )


7.So far there is very little information regarding the band online and you are also from an unknown location,do you have plans on revealing the location in the future?


This is a new band and not much information yet published. It will be on metal archives soon. We are from Finland that is no secret.


8.The album was also released on 'Purity Through Fire', what are you r thoughts on the other bands that are also signed to the same label?


Many great bands on Purity Through Fire. Kryptamok from finland for example, they just released their debut full lenght also.


9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?


The album hasn't been officially released yet (8.6) so not much fan comments or reactions so far. From the 2 songs published in Youtube and couple reviews that I have seen the feedback has been good.


10.Do any of the band members also have experience playing in other bands or musical projects?


Tyrant has his own band called Malum, (also in Purity through Fire) and he does vocals also in Kalmankantaja. This is my first own project, though I was playing bass for Annihilatus a while back. Flagg is now the only project for me at the moment.


11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?


Next album is taking it's form right now and it's not hugely different style than Nothing but Death. A little bit more melodies, but still dark and chaotic. It's gonna be chaos and destruction.


12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening  to nowadays?


There are many musical influences, like Marduk and (old) Satyricon. Like I said before I listen some old 90's bm stuff but also I listen a lot of new black metal bands. I try to listen new music as much as possible. Lately I have been listening a lot of atmospheric black metal.


13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?


Album will soon be out in many forms, go check it out. Nothing but Death.


Best regards

Flagg

https://youtu.be/IE8sNJwjyG0

Flagg/Nothing But Death/Purity Through Fire/2020 CD Review

  Flagg  are  a  band  from  an  unknown  location  that  plays  a  very  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Nothing  But  Death"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Purity  Through  Fire.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  atmospheric  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  musical instruments  also  sound  very  powerful.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  music  is  heavily  rooted in  the  90's.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  and  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Atmospheric  elements  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  some  dark  sounding  melodies  at  times.

  Flagg  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  atmospheric  in  the  90's  tradition  but  with  a  more  modern  atmosphere  and  regression.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Flagg  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw,  atmospheric  and  old  school  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nothing  But  Death"  "Abomination"  and  "Last  Breath  Dawn".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/IE8sNJwjyG0