Year: 2025
Label: Aristae/Only The Sun Knows

Flammenlieder is an interesting series of releases curated by German neofolk act Leger Des Heils. The first was an album by Leger Des Heils, whilst the second was a three-track compilation featuring alongside the Germans Stormfågel and De La Morte. This third installment continues in the vein of its direct predecessor, with Leger Des Heils being joined by friends.

Sweden’s Stormfågel returns. In addition, there’s Hungarian Larrnakh, Der Arbeiter from Chile and Italian industrial/neofolk legends Ain Soph, making this a pretty impressive line-up. Each artist is featured with one track, which makes this a surprisingly short release, clocking in at a mere 34 minutes.

Apart from Ain Soph, all of the artists have a pretty traditional neofolk approach on this album. This means melancholic tunes focusing heavily on acoustic guitar, aided by pianos, violins and other pretty standard instruments in the genre. However, each artist also has their own distinguishing flair, meaning it’s impossible to mistake one artist for another.

Der Arbeiter’s Fernweh is the only instrumental track on the album. Backed with a bit of arpeggiated synth bass and militant percussion, it is a suitably melancholy and dramatic introduction to the proceedings. Stormfågel, Leger Des Heils and Larrnakh follow, offering each a track of strong, melancholy neofolk. Larrnakh has not only the longest track on the album, over 11 minutes, but also the most fleshed out arrangement. Featuring beautiful cellos and violins as well as piano, this tripartite composition is certainly the most ambitious on the album.

Ain Soph, featured with a live rendition of Datemi Pace (from 1990’s self-titled album), has the most non-uniform sound on the release. Led by militant, powerful percussion, it’s a far more belligerent affair. The electric guitar towards the end at the very latest truly separates Ain Soph from the rest. Not an unfitting end to the album, though, as it does lift spirits up from melancholy to energetic activity.

Flammenlieder MMXXV is a pretty damn fine release. It could have run for a bit longer, though, with all artists having two tracks, because as it stands now, one feels a strong need to start over from the top when Datemi Pace fades out.

Which is, of course, an unequivocal sign of success. Flammenlieder MMXXV succeeds even somewhat unexpectedly. Der Arbeiter, Stormfågel and Leger Des Heils in particular have such similar musical timbre, that it could have become counterproductive. But it doesn’t – each manages to play on their own strengths and sound distinct.

One listens to Flammenlieder MMXXV like an album, not like a compilation. Despite different performers, different languages and, to some extent, different styles, there’s a common spirit between all artists. Definitely a neofolk highlight for 2025.

Visit Der Arbeiter on Facebook
Visit Stormfågel on Bandcamp or Facebook
Visit Leder Des Heils on their official website or Facebook
Visit Larrnakh on Facebook
Visit Ain Soph on Bandcamp or Facebook