The Black Flame Alliance label recently released the second volume of its Black Flame Alliance Compilation, entitled Echoes of the Black Flame, which showcases several black metal projects and bands from different countries. This compilation features 15 tracks. Among the projects featured are Harlinger, whom I already mentioned in previous review about their debut album Kinderschreck, released last year, and Nattfly, whose latest album Flocken is one of the best releases of this year in my opinion.
Sinä Kalpeana Aamuna by Finnish one-man band Balagaard opens the compilation with a chaotic and disturbing atmosphere. It's an excellent first track: fast-paced, relentless drumming, screeching vocals, and gloomy, apocalyptic atmospheres. I particularly enjoyed the vocal performance at the end.
K.antorka by Harlinger gradually evolves into a more melodic composition while retaining a natural brutality. The narrative vocals become more furious, and I loved the atmospheric build-up from 2:03 onwards.
Malströmmen by Nattfly begins with a heavy composition that then shifts into direct black metal. Repetitive notes establish a form of melody, and at 2:20, a guitar solo in the background accompanies an impressive vocal outburst.
Soivat Noitain Torvet by Kalmanväki is a straightforward, repetitive black metal track. The vocal performance from 2:39 onwards is one of the highlights that I particularly enjoyed.
Abysme by Murmux was a wonderful discovery: rudimentary but effective black metal, with atmospheres that plunge into darkness from 3:13 onwards. At 4:41, the vocal performance is perfectly integrated. This is a band I will definitely be exploring further.
Besoozan by Outcast Angel starts off with a warlike atmosphere, supported by demonic growls and a heavy rhythm. I felt some death metal influences in it.
Hérauts du désespoir by Akbahl, the longest track on the compilation, begins with a cosmic atmosphere that is interrupted before giving way to powerful vocals. The instruments then come in with a heavy rhythm and repetitive patterns. The track plays heavily on nuances, alternating between fast passages and heavier sections.
Unholy Trinity by Dodengraver offers a more rhythmic composition, flirting with black/thrash metal. It's a track that I really liked.
Gnosis of the Detested by Lightbearer remains faithful to the roots of black metal. Upon listening, with frequent changes in rhythm. bands as Carpathian Forest and Darkthrone immediately came to my mind
Wrath Unleashed by Frostfall is a raw track, primitive and direct black metal, exuding an evil and violent aura.
Forgotten Blade Campaign XVIII by Medieval Torture continues in the vein of raw black metal, while incorporating some variations in rhythm.
Blackpest by Neftaraka continues in the vein of previous track: raw black metal with subtle melodies appearing in the background. It reminded me of some of Sargeist's early work.
Lucifer's Black Flame by Blodmåne leans towards black metal/noise, alternating between instrumental decelerations and accelerations.
Lo Yoga della Potenza by Aristocrazia Rumorista continues in this vein with a very short track.
War Against Messiah by Necrovomit 666 closes the compilation. To be honest, I don't know what it was recorded with, but I laughed so much listening to it!! anyways