‘Diabolical Bloodlust’ marks the third full-length assault from Finnish duo Flagg, who’ve been steadily forging their identity in the underground since emerging from Turku in 2018. With ties to various other projects, the pair delivers an album whose name alone signals what lies ahead—raw, ruthless, and unrepentantly blackened.
What unfolds here is a fierce homage to 90s Black Metal: lo-fi, ice-cold production, battering percussion, and shrill, unrelenting vocals that tear through the mix. Yet Flagg aren’t content with mere replication. They weave subtle threads of distinction through the use of sparse keyboards, fluctuating tempos, and moments of eerie, brooding atmosphere.
A prime example is the second track, ‘Morningstar Rising’—a short but striking piece that shimmers with ethereal synth work and shifting rhythms. It builds with promise, only to end abruptly, leaving the listener wanting more. A puzzling choice, considering its potential.
Thankfully, the title track ‘Diabolical Bloodlust’ follows swiftly and delivers with venom. It’s filthy, feral, and soaked in that orthodox Black Metal chaos. ‘The Book of Death’ shifts gears and attempts something more expansive, though it doesn’t quite land—its ambition slightly outweighing its cohesion.
Redemption comes with ‘Call of Darkness’, a mid-tempo cut that rides a punishing double-kick groove and razor-sharp riffing. It’s a standout moment, both tightly executed and atmospherically charged.
Overall, ‘Diabolical Bloodlust’ is a strong and occasionally surprising effort. Flagg uphold the core tenets of the genre while allowing just enough experimentation to keep things fresh. It’s a release that will satisfy purists and intrigue the more adventurous—though, like much of the best underground Black Metal, it risks slipping under too many radars.
