Black metal once burned with a raw, rebellious spirit that shared more than a few veins with punk — not just musically, but philosophically. The early Norwegian and European scenes thrived on DIY ethics, minimalism, anti-authoritarian attitudes, and a general disdain for convention. As the genre evolved and matured, that punk influence began to fade into the background for most bands. What remained was often a blend of technical prowess and atmospheric depth — impressive, sure, but far removed from the feral spark that lit the fire in the first place.
Yet there have always been bands that clung to that original rawness — and Final Dose from London is undeniably one of them. This group resurrects the punk roots within black metal with confidence and venom, never lapsing into nostalgia. Rather than rehashing old formulas, Final Dose injects their sound with a venomous urgency that feels both fresh and unrelenting.
Their music is filthy, frantic, and confrontational — think d-beat and crust punk rhythms welded to the nihilistic melodies of classic second wave black metal. Vocals are raw and furious, the production intentionally grimy, and the lyrics soaked in social commentary and existential rage. There’s no romantic mysticism or mythic grandeur here — just pure, unfiltered chaos and outrage straight from London’s underbelly.
Formed in 2019, Final Dose has moved steadily through the underground ranks, releasing a demo, multiple singles, an EP, a split, and now their second full-length album. “Full-length,” however, is a flexible term — this new record clocks in at just 23 minutes and 55 seconds. Still, it feels anything but slight. Spanning nine tracks and one brief instrumental interlude, the album delivers a razor-sharp assault that wastes not a second.
The longest track runs just 3 minutes and 29 seconds, and that tells you everything you need to know about Final Dose’s aesthetic. There are no long-winded structures or ambient interludes here; instead, the band delivers short, explosive bursts that go straight for the throat. The punk and crust influences are unmistakable — not just in track length, but in songwriting choices and the filthy, no-frills production. Each song feels like a brick hurled through a window: fast, furious, and merciless.
In an era when many black metal bands get lost in layered arrangements and slow-building atmospheres, Final Dose opts for the short, brutal strike — and that’s what makes their music so refreshing. Sometimes you don’t need 60 minutes to leave ruins in your wake. Sometimes 24 is more than enough to level the field.
And if you can look past the running time, what you’ll find is an absolutely devastating album. Final Dose has crafted a relentless sonic beatdown — a feral fusion of punk and black metal that oozes urgency, grime, and raw, unfiltered power. Tracks like Eternal Winter, Servant, and Wretched hit with furious precision, driven by blast-beaten riffs, crushing drums, and vocals that sound like they were clawed from the inside of a prison cell.
What truly elevates this release is its consistently filthy sound. It feels like it was recorded in a damp basement with gear held together by duct tape — and that’s entirely the point. The production adds to the album’s intensity and authenticity: nothing polished, nothing ornamental. Just extreme music with open veins and dirt under its fingernails.
At a time when genre lines are either dissolving completely or being drawn too rigidly, Final Dose proves that punk and black metal can still thrive side by side — or better yet, fused into something that’s even more volatile. The ruthless simplicity of punk and the soul-scorching hatred of black metal form a monstrous, effective union here.
Bottom line: this album scrapes, bites, and flattens everything in its path without wasting a second. It leaves you dazed, grinning, and hungry for more. If this is the kind of ferocity we can expect more of in the future, then sign me up. We need more of this kind of filthy, honest noise — now more than ever.
72/100
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