Stormkeep – The Nocturnes Of Iswylm
Stormkeep – The Nocturnes Of Iswylm
Vesperian
Release date: 29/05/26
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
Since their inception a little under a decade ago, the USA’s Stormkeep have quickly asserted themselves as leaders of a new wave of melodic black metal. Fans of the UK will have been introduced to the band in August 2023 when the band played their debut show in the country. The band aim to appease those fans as well as others around the world with their upcoming effort, “The Nocturnes Of Iswylm”. One which they’ve invested heavily in by enlisting the support of producer Michael Zech (Secrets Of The Moon, Dark Fortress, and The Ruins Of Beverast) whilst being mastered by Arthur Rizk (Blood Incantation, Power Trip, and Worm).
What would Iron Maiden sound like if they had a black metal phase?
What would black metal sound like played in the major key?
Questions nobody asked, but questions Stormkeep provides a definitive answer to, and more in “The Nocturnes Of Iswylm”. This is achieved through a classic blend of old-school traditional black metal and heavy metal straight out of the 1980s! ‘Taste Of Immortal Blood’ provides an example of that. Once you’ve got through the cinematic and dramatic opening that would easily double up as a soundtrack to Game Of Thrones, it’s time for a deluge of blazing guitar riffs from our fathers’ era and a huge anthemic sung chorus through to the KVLT shrieks, sinister synths you’d normally associate with metal of black. A combination and fusion of two genres that you’ll find plenty more examples of throughout the album.
Though the album strays into the realms of suicidal depressive black metal (think Thy Light) during ‘Imperious Sanguine Eroticism’. This is a serotonin-draining cocktail of slow bludgeoning rhythms and piercing guitar leads that are somehow intoxicating and difficult to resist. The frantic changing of vocal styles from half-sung, half-spoken word through to traditional KVLT shrieks and soul-crushing howls of human agony adds an interesting layer of juxtaposition to the relatively calm and marauding flow of the music. Songs like ‘Echoes In The Vast Of Sequestrat’ are anything but calm, with choppy galloping rhythms giving that NWOBHM vibe, whilst the synths and keys provide an air of constant mystery and dimension.
Stormkeep love their dramatic and extended introductions. So do I! ‘Ballad Of A Fallen Star’ provides one that builds as much tension as it does intrigue. Does it go on a bit too long? Maybe. Does the music sound epic and larger than life once it kicks in at the 2-minute mark? HELL YES! Along with some instantly memorable clean vocal lines (taking a leaf from Dimmu Borgir), you’ve got something pretty awesome. The song takes many twists and turns in an absolute journey that’s complex and challenging!
Look, if you think black metal has become stale, Stormkeep has breathed new life into it, making it easy to see why they’re so revered and respected.
TRACK LISTING
- Taste Of Immortal Blood
- The Black Dragons Of Iswylm
- Saccharine Subjugation
- Imperious Sanguine Eroticism
- Echoes In The Vast Of Sequestrat
- Carnal Tapestries of Nailtorn Fle
- Ballad of A Fallen Star
LINKS
https://stormkeep-odl.bandcamp.com/album/the-nocturnes-of-iswylm-2
