I was first introduced to Flame back in 2006 by Shyaithan of Impiety, who put me onto ‘Into The Age Of Fire’ and ‘March Into Firelands’. Those two albums left a lasting impression on me, especially with the way Flame brought together the rawness of Finnish Black Metal with the aggression of Thrash Metal. Years later, in 2020, while I was running Posercorpse Zine, I had the opportunity to interview Flame and speak with Blackvenom, giving me another connection with a band that had already been part of my listening for many years. But now, almost twenty years after first discovering Flame, it is time to turn my attention to their latest offering.
Saataana perrrkele!
That was pretty much my first reaction when the opening riffs of ‘Ignis Draconis Daemonicus’ came ripping through the speakers. After fifteen years since their previous full-length, Flame return with an album that sounds like a furnace being kicked open. The guitars come in sharp and aggressive, the drums hit with force and the whole thing carries that filthy Finnish Black Thrash spirit that first made me take notice of the band all those years ago.
What I enjoy most is the way Flame do not confine themselves to one speed or one particular side of the style. The album moves between furious Black Thrash attacks, heavier mid-paced passages and riffs that reveal the band’s appreciation for traditional Heavy Metal. There is plenty of melody in the guitars too, but it comes naturally through the playing rather than being used to soften the music. The lead work gives several of the songs an extra edge and there are moments where you can hear the musicians really having fun with the riffs.
‘Kao-Sphere’ sets the tone before ‘Spell-Fire’ and ‘Black Flames’ Divination’ bring the aggression properly to the front. ‘Mystical Voice Of My Demon Master’ has some particularly memorable guitar work, while ‘Deification (The Serpent’s Promise)’ hits with another fast and nasty attack. ‘Rising Crimson Desert Storm’ gives the album a brief change of pace before the band throw themselves back into the fire.
Then comes the title track, ‘Ignis Draconis Daemonicus’, stretching beyond eight minutes and giving Flame plenty of room to unleash everything they have been building towards. It moves through heavier sections, faster passages and more expansive guitar work without losing that dirty character that runs through the entire record. It is a fitting end to an album that never forgets where its roots are.
There is also something satisfying about hearing this album knowing the history I have with Flame. I first heard ‘Into The Age Of Fire’ and ‘March Into Firelands’ nearly twenty years ago because of Shyaithan, later interviewed the band through Posercorpse, and now I am sitting here listening to a new Flame album in 2026. That kind of connection makes a new release more personal, especially when the music still has the same ability to grab you.
‘Ignis Draconis Daemonicus’ is Black Thrash Metal with fire in its belly. The riffs are aggressive, the guitars have plenty of character and the traditional Metal influence gives the album more depth than a straight speed attack. Flame took their time getting here, but after fifteen years without a full-length, they have returned with something that sounds hungry, pissed off and very much alive.
If you false, no entry because you will be burned by Flame and died!
