Urn “Demon Steel”

Label: Osmose Productions · Year: 2025

Two weeks after the release of their compilation albums and my review of them, Urn’s 2025 full-length Demon Steel was unleashed. That compilation was probably a sign of the sound change the band would pursue on their next album. It’s not a complete 180-degree shift, but it’s safe to say Urn has stepped pretty far outside of their usual style—this album doesn’t feature the black metal sound and songwriting we’ve come to associate with them.

Demon Steel is heavily influenced by classic heavy metal and the transitional era (1995–2005) of Teutonic thrash bands. It also carries the melodic rhythm and lead guitar elements heard in some classic/old school Finnish melodic extreme metal bands. Vocals have evolved in that direction too, although some songs still retain their old speed metal flair. Compared to previous records, the production is significantly polished—clean and sharp.

Once again, Urn has created something uniquely theirs, but I’m not sure how many of their longtime fans will embrace it. This isn’t a Cold Lake situation after Into the Pandemonium— it’s definitely not a bad album—but the old black metal sound is no longer present. Still, it’s undeniably metal!

Fans of heavy metal and thrash metal and black metal enjoy the oldschool blackened edge should absolutely give this a listen. As for Urn’s diehard followers—well, they’ll have to decide for themselves!