Sargeist – Flame Within Flame

Written by on 04-10-2025 at 08:53.

Friends and others who belong to a different circle: listen! There are only a few black metal bands that can be labeled cult in my eyes. Sargeist from Finland is such a band. Just look at who is in the line-up and you know enough. This Flame Within Flame comes after some collected works, an EP, Death Veneration and a full-fledged album Unbound released years ago. In the meantime, Shatraug, Spellgoth and their cronies haven’t been idle. They’ve been busy with Sargeist but also with other bands. Just think of Horna or Night Shall Drape Us or I don’t know what else.

If you write about raspy, raw, rough, pure Satanic black metal with a melodic edge, you are always in the right place in the land of a thousand lakes with the above-mentioned gentlemen. This is no different this time. Rather unexpectedly, if you can say that, the new album comes via WTC Productions and a review  can no longer be delayed. Make hay while the sun’s out.

I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Shatraug and Spellgoth in the Horna line-up, but I have not seen this Sargeist live yet. But do not worry, apparently the gentlemen are making a trip through Europe. On the road that will have to happen at an adjusted speed, otherwise the tour bus will probably get stuck somewhere. On the record, in terms of music, the gentlemen determine the tempo themselves. At first the opening track, An Eternal Dream Beyond The Accursed Portent, drags along a bit but a blast beat and then an exciting dynamic ensures that we recognize the old Sargeist again. If it has ever been gone, of course. Is there a flame burning in a flame? I have not thought about it myself, but it is something that many black metal fans can work with. Also with the musical composition that these Finns offer us.

The drumming of Nur-I-Siyah’s hands and feet sounds very lived out, I personally am just a bit more of a fan of LRH’s skin-beating: there is a bit more finesse, subtlety and venom in it. However, Mr. Nur-I-Siyah is not averse to cymbal work and dragging dynamics. Listen to Incandescence Of The Funeral Pyre or Ordained and Adorned. There is a lot of robustness in the latter. Do not forget to listen to the vibrating of Mr. Shatraug’s vocal cords. In Juravit Sanguine he also grinds as if it were nothing while a collection of spicy guitar riffs try to maintain a deadly melody. It creates a song that really does crawl under the skin.

Flame Within Flame is the culmination of everything this mighty Finnish black metal collective Sargeist stands for. It lets you immerse yourself once again in compositions that are dark, cold and chilly. Compositions that cut through marrow and bone and penetrate straight to your dark heart. Delicious!

Score:

85/100

Label:

WTC Productions, 2025

Tracklisting:

  1. An Eternal Dream Beyond The Accursed Portent
  2. Flame Within Flame
  3. The Chant Of Rotting Tongues
  4. Incandescence Of The Funeral Pyre
  5. Ordained And Adorned
  6. To the Mistress Of Blackest Magic
  7. Juravit Sanguine
  8. Behold Our Temples Arise
  9. Rite Of Ascension

Line-up:

  • Shatraug – Vocals, guitar
  • VJS – Guitar
  • Spellgoth – Bass guitar
  • Nur-I-Siyah – Drums

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