Rapid by name, rapid by nature. A simple but effective moniker for this rip-roaring trio emerging from the Helsinki underground with a gnarly and riotous speed, thrash, and old school black metal attack. Featuring additional lashings of classic heavy metal, punk, and death influences, Rapid unleash their retro brand of ugly, thrashy mayhem on debut album, Enter the Realm of Fire. And from the get-go, these dudes share a clear devotion of ye olden days of underground, piss-and-vinegar-drenched metal, creating an authentically twisted concoction, brooding with bombast, evil vibes, and over-the-top theatrics. The colorfully named trio, consisting of bassist/vocalist Vincent Revenge, drummer The Goon, and axe wielder Atte ‘Spectre’ Nikku, formed back in 2014. During this time, they spat out a couple of demos and 2022’s Blackstar Oppression Regime EP generating underground buzz. Boasting a mean, unvarnished sound, and metal cred up the ying-yang, can Rapid back things up with songwriting to match their trve old school values?
Following an unnecessary intro piece, Rapid launch into their work proper on the ripping “Witchcraft of Horror,” laying their cards on the table, flexing their blackened thrash and speed metal combo, taking cues from the likes of Venom, early Slayer, Mercyful Fate and modern retro heavyweights Bütcher and Midnight. It’s a raucous, unhinged formula to warm the blackened hearts of’80s metal and underground aficionados. Once more, Rapid is a deceptively nimble beast, wielding their crude weapons and vicious badassery with deft hands, threading slithering melodies and sinister atmospheres into the thrashing cauldron, where galloping speed, raucously blackened riffs and unhinged vocals conspire to wreak havoc. Revenge’s vocals lend the album a wickedly over-the-top and charismatic edge, as black-thrash howls, croaks, demented screams and a rough-around-the-edges cleaner style are unleashed.
Aside from the punkish, first-wave gallop and thrust of mid-album burner “Horemheb,” and epic, if slightly overcooked closer “Beyond the Gates of the Rapid Flames,” Rapid keep the songwriting sharp and punchy, much to the album’s advantage. While the raw slash-and-burn riffage reigns supreme, the melodic embellishments and occasional noteworthy soloing add layers of substance and intrigue to the otherwise cutthroat nature of the Rapid formula. The hugely energetic delivery, coupled with their feral streak and deft handling of tempo variations, helps maintain interest across the album’s duration. At its best, Enter the Realm of Fire goes hard and comes emblazoned with deadly hooks and killer atmosphere, such as those adorning the frosty death march of “Wielder of Might – Death from Above,” grimly venomous meloblack meets heavy metal grooves of “Black Poison,” and blackened heavy metal gallop exhibited on the hooky, over-the-top “Pest Eater.” Not all tracks hit the same heights, but it’s all pretty solid and enjoyable fare.
Enter the Realm of Fire comes armed and dangerous with a roughshod production that tramples modern production values into dust, complimenting the looser vibes and gritty underground aesthetics, without sacrificing overall bite, clarity and tasty dynamics. Rough production and looser vibes do not translate to sloppy performances. The trio bust out energetic, tightly synced performances, highlighted by Revenge’s unusual yet often compelling vocals and Spectre’s raw, menacing riffs, blazing melodies, and often eloquently shredded solos. There are slight ebbs and flows in song-to-song quality, though aside from the throwaway intro and almost comically odd slower-paced track “Gaze of the Black Void,” the album is uniformly solid with a few especially potent bangers.
Rapid’s accomplished debut comes as a pleasant surprise, skillfully straddling the line between nostalgia, ’80s metal trvness, and raw underground grit, while sounding fresh enough to stand on its own. Sure, influences are proudly adorned on their ragged battle vests, but there is ample upside to what Rapid have cooked up. A wild and venomous ride, Enter the Realm of Fire is a gleefully violent, old school metal rampage that largely overcomes its warts and all flaws with solidly entertaining songwriting. The future looks bright for these throwback underground warriors.
Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320kbps mp3
Label: Dying Victims Productions
Websites: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: August 21st, 2026
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